It can be intimidating to start going to the gym. It might appear to be a chaotic setting that everyone else seems to understand intuitively. Or perhaps it appears to be a zero-sum game where everyone is out for themselves.

In actuality, there are a few general dos and don’ts for the gym environment, and they are just based on respect for one another. Even if the chaos intimidates you, if you follow some guidelines, you can feel assured that you’re acting morally.

Find out if your particular gym has its own set of rules and familiarize yourself with them first. You can get instructions by reading the signage that is posted all over your fitness center, which will give you more than just hints.

Numerous gyms have their own unique rules concerning etiquette, but if you follow our guide below, you can be assured that everyone will respect if not love you for your gym manners.

Read the Local Gym Rules

Take a look at any posted rules on the walls as soon as you enter the gym. They are there to support the creation of a secure environment for all. Request clarification from a staff member if you’re unsure of a rule.

Clean Up the Equipment

It’s never a good idea to use equipment that has sweat on it from the previous user. When you’re finished with the equipment, wipe down all surfaces you’ve touched with a towel. The majority of gyms have disinfectant-filled spray bottles scattered about that you can use to disinfect a piece of equipment. Not sure of its location?

Store the Equipment

Put the equipment back where it came from after each exercise. As you move from one location to another, make sure to clean up. If left out on the gym floor, equipment could cause accidents by tripping people. When you’re done lifting and using a bar, arrange the weight plates neatly in their original positions.

Don’t Drop Heavy Weights

Perhaps you performed one too many repetitions, causing your arms to jello up. Dumbbells, unlike many other weights, are not designed to be dropped. They don’t respond well to drops structurally, and the dumbbell heads may even fracture and separate.

Saving Gym Equipment

Make sure no other lifters are still using the equipment if they are nearby. Stay back or check if anyone else nearby has seen anyone using the specific piece of equipment. When someone is wearing headphones, this interaction usually just consists of pointing at the equipment without saying anything. As the majority of gymgoers work out while listening to music, this is a typical form of communication.

If you ever need to leave equipment alone for a moment to get a drink or stretch, cover it with a towel to let others know you’ll be back in a moment.

Spotting Etiquette

An assist during a lift is all what a "spot" is. Even though most people won’t ask a stranger for assistance, you might eventually run into it or even need it. Simply decline and say you can’t if someone asks you for a spot and you feel uneasy about the responsibility. Ask someone nearby who appears to be available and strong enough to support the weight if necessary if you need a place to sit.

Remain Outside of a Lifter’s Area

To avoid distracting another lifter, try to keep your distance of at least three feet. If they are not prepared for the lift, they could harm not only themselves but you as well if their equipment malfunctions. Naturally, if you are the one looking for them, the situation is different.

It’s a good idea to adhere to these basic etiquettes in order to maintain a fun and welcoming environment for everyone. Our personal trainers in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge will provide classes that guarantee a friendly fitness environment run by qualified personal trainers, with participants striving for similar body transformations and overall health improvements.