Rules for using the gym: let's get a clue, people.

[Veritass]

My wife and I lift weights and play racquetball several times a week, and we have been running into an awful lot of inconsiderate practices at the gym lately. Here is my rant about some of these practices; please feel free to add your own.

If you want the polite version, please insert the word “Please…” in front of each item. If you want what I am really thinking, insert the phrase, “What are you, stupid!? Why can’t you…”

In the Weight Room:

• Re-rack your weights after use, and put them where they go. There is a separate spot for 5-, 10-, and 25-pound discs; keep them together in the right spot.
• Remove your trash; don’t leave your empty energy drink bottles on the machines and your empty water bottles lying around.
• Keep the extraneous gum-popping, cell phone conversations, and primal grunting to a minimum; it is distracting to other members.
• Don’t use the exercise ball as a chair when other people want to use it.
• If you are going to take a four-minute break between sets, get up off of the machine so someone else can work in.

In the Locker Room:

• Contain your spreading out; don’t leave your sweaty clothes strewn about while you shower.
• Dry off in the tiled shower area, not in the carpeted changing area where you leave a huge wet spot for the next member.
• Contain your use of powders and sprays so as not to leave large amounts of these substances on the carpets and lockers.

In the Sauna and Shower:

• Wear shorts or sit on a towel in the sauna; no one wants your skanky naked behind in direct contact with the tiles.
• Ask the other people in the sauna before thwarting the sauna controls so the steam is continuous.
• If you insist on thwarting the sauna controls, please remove this when you leave, or the sauna eventually gets to 4000 degrees.
• Ask the other people in the sauna before using eucalyptus or other oils on the mechanisms.
• Remove your trash; don’t leave your empty water bottles in the sauna; don’t leave your empty shampoo bottle and used band-aids in the shower; don’t leave your underwear hanging on the shower peg.

In the Toilet:

• Flush; make sure when you flush, that what you were trying to flush, actually flushes.
• If you cannot seem to urinate in a urinal and have to use the normal toilet for this, please lift the lid instead of urinating all over the toilet seat.
• Remove your trash.
• Wash your hands.

I don’t think any of this is too much to ask. I just want the gym to run smoothly, to be neat and clean, and as free as possible of your bodily secretions. Thank you.

 

[IglooDame]

Here's my rule:

If you do have a gym membership, and are really happy with the place, please keep in mind that I probably don't care aside from simple politeness. If I was looking to join a gym, I'd say something like "Cool, maybe I should go", but since I don't, and I certainly don't look like I've spent five minutes working out in the last month, please don't tell me how great the place is or I'll have to start telling you about the pistol range I spend time at and seeing how much you enjoy that.

 

[Veritass]

Which pistol range is that? I have been shooting a few times at some ranges around here (Southern California) and I find it to be quite fun. I even took my teenage sons there and let them shoot.

 

[EdwardTking]

Veritass!

They let you have cell phones in the gymnasium??

They have carpets in the changing room??


In my gymnasium, only issues are the videos:

(a) girlies been lobbying against girly group pop videos

(b) whether weight scales are imperial or metric?

One of us has seeped through from an alternative universe?

 

[Godwynn]

Please do not wear sleaveless shirts. Its gross, disgusting, and repulsive.

Keep the volume on your WalkMan to a low roar. No one wants to hear Slipknot. I'm not just talking about in the gym either.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

veritass i echo your words, especially the loitering on the machines.

 

[IglooDame]

Which pistol range is that? I have been shooting a few times at some ranges around here (Southern California) and I find it to be quite fun. I even took my teenage sons there and let them shoot.

Manchester Firing Line in Manchester, New Hampshire. If you have any questions, there are several gun-nuts in OT, some of them less overtly so than others.

Maybe I should make a "rules for using the range" thread...

 

[joycem10]

My biggest complaint is that Im not at the gym to make friends. I dont mind a casual hello or a quick word or two, but thats it.

I've been ducking a guy for the past month. He knows me from high school and insists on talking to me no matter what I do. The only way to get rid of him is to jump on a treadmill and crank it up to 8mph so that Im physically unable to talk or listen. Drives me insane.

 

[Mr. Do]

Fortunately no-one ever talks to me at the gym, and I've specifically asked people I know not to go at the same time as me

Another rule, well, more guidance really: please don't spend minute after minute admiring yourself in the full-length mirrors. Yes, you may look good with all that muscle you've worked so hard for, but if you stand there looking like a chump, getting in peoples' ways and pose in a silly manner (e.g. a "guns" pose, like you're holding a pair of guns below waist level), you're just going to look like a chump.

 

[GenMarshall]

Heh, the rules at my dojo are quite simple:

1. No drinks other than water
2. No shoes in the dojo floor
3. Always wear the appropreate uniform

 

[Veritass]

Heh, the rules at my dojo are quite simple:
1. No drinks other than water
2. No shoes in the dojo floor
3. Always wear the appropreate uniform

Surely there is at least:
4. Bow on and off the mat.
5. No gum.
6. Never turn your back to the sensei.
and probably 20-30 more.

 

[capslock]

Don't Do Curls In The Squat Rack Or Cage!!1!1!!!!1!!!

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Machines are for using, not as seats for you and your friend to chat at. If you want to talk get out of the way of people actually working out.

 

[downtown]

Other than those listed, my biggest complaint is with "I keep forgetting what I look like guy"....the one who cant go a few seconds without jumping in front of the mirror. Dont be that guy.

Also, dont be the guy on the leg press who grunts like he's having a kid whenever he does on rep. Thats gross.

 

[Homie]

If you are going to take a four-minute break between sets, get up off of the machine so someone else can work in.

AMEN brother!
This is my beef at every gym, people just don't get it. I live in shyland (Scandinavia) so people won't say anything, but I sure do
"If you're on a break I'll do a set in between"

 

[Homie]

When you go all out, especially with legs, sometimes sounds come out.
Not too much with myself, but I understand the people who do, they are just doing their best and pushing hard.

 

[Perfection]

What about urinating in the shower?

 

[Heretic_Cata]

Please do not wear sleaveless shirts. Its gross, disgusting, and repulsive.

Uhhh, why ? Where i used to go, everyone had sleaveless shirts ... some of them having no shirt at all ...

 

[covok48]

I work out about every other day so here's my list:

1. Never jeer at or make fun of how 'little' someone lifts. Chances are they're actually building muscle endurance or not out trying to impress you or your buddies.

2. Don't hog all the heavier weights so you can do 1 set of 3 reps.

3. Spot someone if they ask and never to too proud to accept a spot yourself.

4. Girls: If you're gonna wear that super-tight outfit to show off your body, don't be offended or surprised if guys actually check you out. If those aren't your intentions- don't advertise what you're not selling.

5. Staff: Shell out the $150 for proper weight belts/ neck cushions for your squatting machines. It's infuriating that customers shell out big bucks for half-assed or non existant support and then are told to "Bring your own"

6. If the gym offers magazines or book to read while taking a break or doing cardio, please don't take them home. They are not a free subscription.

 

[Alpine Trooper]

I work out about every other day so here's my list:

1. Never jeer at or make fun of how 'little' someone lifts. Chances are they're actually building muscle endurance or not out trying to impress you or your buddies.

I like this. My friend and I have been having a little competition lately. He does high weight low rep and I've switched to low weight high rep. He's definately been bulking more than I have lately, but the endurance difference is phenomenal.

In fact, I see more and more people switching to lower weights. Regardless, I am switching back.

But the moral is people need to respect others goals in the gym.