Please, just stop

Health and Fitness

[9 Comment(s)]

By Kyle Walker

Fall is coming in with a rough start this year. I would like to attribute the lack of gym etiquette and increase in annoying habits to the excitement in starting a new school year. However, I have wanted to readdress this issue for months, so that can’t be the case.

Freshmen, please heed these words because, for you, there is still hope. The last thing you want is to start off the next four years as person that pisses everyone off.

First off, dress like you are going to a gym. Guys, please stop wearing shirts with cutoff sleeves that end at your belly button. I am tired of seeing your nipples.

Ladies, we understand that you are at the gym to workout. You don’t need to apply eight layers of makeup and douse yourself with perfume. Not only do most of you look better without a ton of makeup, but my childhood fear of Bozo isn’t rekindled when you walk by.

Next, make sure that you put up your weights. Not only is it a pain to have to strip off someone else’s weight, but taking weights off lets people know that you are done with a piece of equipment.

This brings me to my next point. If you are unsure if someone is done with a piece of equipment, then ask before you jump on and take over. If they are still on it, ask to work in or go do another exercise. However, do not go up and interrogate a person on how much longer they have while they are in the middle of a set. Wait for them to take a break.

As the semester starts to pick up, keep in mind that more people are going to want cardio equipment. Try to limit your time on cardio equipment because we all know that working equipment is in short supply at the REC. If you want to run for more than 30 minutes, try the track or the street.

Please stop curling in the squat rack. I know your “bros” at “bodybuilding.com” said this is OK and it’s the only way you can get that massive pump. They are wrong. The squat rack is for squats and other power movements only.

If someone asks for a spot, there are two things you need to know beforehand. First, find out how many reps they are doing, then find out how much help they want if they get stuck. Most people only want you to help them past their sticking point.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for a spot. Nothing is more annoying than having to run and help the person who “thought” they could get that last rep up.

Lastly, don’t hover around the weight room talking. If you have a phone call, go outside into the lobby. By excessively talking in the exercise area you are doing nothing more than wasting space. As shocking as it might sound, no one wants to hear the story on how you got the clap last weekend while they are trying to maneuver around you.

Nowadays everyone is in a rush. Visits to the gym would be much easier on everyone if people would start following these unsaid rules. Just because you are in a gym doesn’t mean the rules of etiquette don’t apply.

Originally Published: Issue 705 - September 17, 2008

Share on Facebook

Back to the top