What is courtesy in a gym?

Question

I've always been kind of creed out by gyms. Many people doing things and no one talking. I started working at a place with a gym that has lots of machines in a relatively small space. I have no idea what's going on but sometimes when I go there appears to be a class and ladies telling people what to do. Should I not be in the gym at this time? Should I try to figure out which equipment they're going to use and not use it? Once I noticed the bosu ball was placed under the table, did this mean I shouldn't use it? It's hard to ask when the instructors or busy giving instructions and there's music playing. Are there any common rules I should be aware of? Also sometimes the class appears to be women only - is it frowned upon of a male is working out in the gym at the same time (obviously this usually isn't the case but I'm not sure as it appears to be a women only class).

Answer 1

I think everyone who has gone to the gym understands your situation, since we all were beginners at one time. Trying to figure out what a machine does can be kind of humiliating -- what if you're using it wrong? For that reason I recommend talking to a personal trainer just to get a primer on the equipment.

Some basic things I think everyone should know about using the gym, and how to be respectful of the establishment and other patrons:

• Read the gym rules
  The rules are likely to be posted somewhere in the gym. Read them and follow them, try to encourage others to do the same if you can.
• Rack your weights
  This is a pet peeve of most everyone. Nobody likes hunting down weights, or having to dig through plates because the 5lb plate is buried behind four 35lb plates. Keep it neat.
• Use the equipment properly
  If there's a squat rack and you're doing curls in it, you're preventing someone from using the equipment as it was designed. You don't need a rack to curl unless you're curling so much you physically can't pick the weight up off the ground.
• Be respectful to beginners
  You were a beginner once too. Help them if you can do it in a friendly and non-intimidating way.
• Share
  Don't hog the equipment. Let people work in if you're going to be a long time. If you see someone who looks like they're waiting, ask them if they'd like to work in.
• Communicate
  If a piece of equipment you'd like to use is not in use, but out of place, ask others if they are using it, or have seen anyone using it recently.
• Clean up after yourself
  If you're sweaty, wipe it up with sanitizer.
• Yield to people carrying weights
  Encumbered people have the right of way. Give them space.
• Don't hog the water fountain
  It's impolite to fill your water bottle in the water fountain when people are standing in line and just want a sip.

Basically it all comes down to respect. Respect the space in the way you'd like your own space to be respected by others, and everything will be fine!

Answer 2

In general the attitude in a gym is: Everybody works out for themselves, so everybody keeps to themselves. This might give the idea there is no room for communication, but actually most often the opposite is true.

You'll find most people in a gym cooperative and knowledgeable, but ONLY when you start talking. If you're not talking, then you're assumed to work out for yourself and keep to yourself.