Proper Gym Etiquette: 12 Rules to Never Ignore

Are you practicing proper gym etiquette? It's more important now than ever! You may not know it, but there are 12 unwritten rules everyone should memorize and follow.

It’s crazy to think that it’s been about a year since COVID disrupted our lives.

With most gyms locked down, many women have been turning to at-home workouts.

But now that gyms are re-opening, most ladies are ready to get back into the swing of things at their fitness centers and reunite with their workout partners.

While you may still be nervous to jump back into a gym setting, data collected during the pandemic has found that the risk of transmitting COVID is actually pretty low in fitness centers.

This should be reassuring as you look to get back into a fitness routine without the worry of catching or spreading coronavirus.

For example, the U.S. collected extensive sampling, with 2,873 fitness facilities taking part in IHRSA and MXM’s “visit-to-virus” ratio tracker.

The study tracked 49.4 million member check-ins during the study. Of these, the health clubs reported only 1,155 cases of COVID, translating to a 0.0023% infection rate.

On top of that, none of the cases led to community transmission.

However, it should be noted that gyms are taking extensive measures to combat the spread of the virus, along with any other potential bugs that could be spread from person to person.

You can really decrease your risk of getting sick from the gym when you combine your fitness centers rules with proper gym etiquette.

Here are the 12 unwritten rules you need to know!

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12 Keys to Proper Gym Etiquette

If you’re new to the gym, or a little rusty after a long break off from in-person workouts, it’s important to brush up on some of the unwritten rules of the gym.

And with all the COVID precautions added on, proper gym etiquette is even more important than ever.

Wipe Down Your Equipment

You should have been doing this prior to COVID, but the current pandemic situation makes this even more critical now.

As a busy mom your are already used to wiping down handles at home, but don’t forget the barbells and dumbbells as well.

These pieces of equipment carry more bacteria and viruses than most people are aware of .

While cleanliness should be a given when sharing equipment, unfortunately people don’t use a towel or will leave puddles of sweat behind when they move on to their next exercise.

Studies have shown that gym equipment that comes into contact with human skin can host a number of bacteria and pathogens.

Not only does this mean you can pick up an infection from working out, but you can also bring these bacteria and viruses home with you.

Most gyms provide clean towels to use, but you can always bring your own along just to be safe. You can use this to wipe the sweat off your body as you crank out sets.

After you are finished with whatever equipment you are using, be sure to wipe this down with disinfectant wipes.

All fitness centers should have wipes or a spray bottle with disinfectant throughout the gym that you can use to spray and wipe down a piece of equipment.

This has (or at least should be) mandatory especially with the current COVID situation.

This is probably the most important rule of etiquette to follow in the gym.

Dress For Your Workout

Be sure to wear clean, and appropriate, attire for whatever workout you have planned for the day.

If you know that you are going to be doing some high intensity cardio, shorts and a sweat-wicking t-shirt are a much better option than a hoodie and sweatpants.

No one wants sweat flying at them from all directions!

Also, it should go without saying, but be sure your clothing covers all of your body.

The gym is not the place to wear provocative attire, plus this isn't comfortable or suitable for serious workouts.

Wear Closed Toe Shoes

This is typically a requirement for most gyms, but be sure to wear sneakers or some form of gym appropriate shoes to exercise in. Sandals are a no-no.

Not only will open-toe shoes not provide you support and lead to injuries, but you also risk dropping a weight on your unprotected toes.

Save Selfies For At Home

We know you want to show off your awesome bod, but flexing in the mirror and taking phone selfies can wait until you are in the privacy of your own home.

This is distracting to those working out around you, and a violation of their own privacy.

People come to the gym to work hard and focus on their training.

They aren’t interested in being in the background of your photos that are likely to show up on social media.

Get Off The Phone

Speaking of your phone, do not take calls while you are working out. This is for your benefit and for everyone around you.

Not only will phone calls interfere with your sweat session, it really puts a damper on everyone else's.

Respect the fact that people around you came to work out without interruptions.

Hearing you blab on the phone about your personal life is not what they signed up for.

If you have an urgent call that you need to take, walk outside or into the locker room for your conversation.

Don’t Hog the Weights and Machines

I’m sure you’ve seen other guys and gals who takes up a machine for 30 minutes while they play on their phone or search social media between sets.

Don’t be that person!

Try to move efficiently through your reps and sets, and be aware of those around you.

That doesn’t mean you should rush your workout, but only take the required rest you need.

If you see someone waiting, offer to let them work in between sets while you are taking your breaks.

Clean Up Your Weights

Nothing is more annoying than going to squat or bench press and seeing weights still sitting on the bar.

Not only does this mean putting away someone else’s weights before you can start your workout, but it also means the equipment wasn’t wiped down.

So after you finish an exercise, put the equipment back where it belongs.

And you don’t have to wait until the very end of your workout; you should be cleaning up as you go along.

Also, if you are using weight plates, stack them in the correct order. This makes it easier for others to rack their weights and keeps the gym neat and orderly.

Warm-up and Stretch Away From the Weights

You still want to warm up prior to your workout session, but just be sure to stay out of the way of your fellow gym-goers.

Most fitness centers have a separate area where you can stretch and warm-up. Often there will be mats set up for your convenience.

It is very irritating to others working out around you if you set up to stretch in the middle of the gym where people are trying to lift.

It can also be a safety hazard as well if there are weights swinging around you while you're in downward dog.

Step Away From the Dumbbells

It can be very frustrating when you are trying to pick up a set of dumbbells, only to have someone standing in front of the whole rack doing their workout and impeding everyone around them.

You will often see people doing this with curls or presses.

Avoid being that person by grabbing your dumbbells and moving over to an empty space.

This allows everyone else to pick up weights without having to squeeze by you and risk getting hit with a stray dumbbell.

Also, don’t hog multiple sets of weights. I know that you may want to do a drop set, but hoarding weights means that others aren’t able to complete their workouts.

Finish your set, return your weights, and then grab another set if needed.

Maintain the 6 Foot Rule

No one wants to be in the middle of a set of dumbbell flyes only to hit someone standing too close to them.

Giving your fellow lifters enough space during a workout is a must, and this is even more necessary as we deal with COVID.

Make sure you give everyone around you enough space to the front and side.

Be aware of your surroundings so you know what type of exercises are being performed around you. This way you know where their arms and dumbbells will be.

You can still move and walk around them, but just walk a wider circle if needed.

Weights can be lifted or swung from anywhere at any time. Pay attention and move slowly if you see somebody with a weight.

Taking Classes? Arrive on Time!

It can be disrupting when people walk into the studio late and try to set up their spot while you’re trying to focus on the instructor.

To avoid this, arrive to class at least five minutes early and find out if you will need any additional equipment for your class, such as steps, bars, or resistance bands.

Not only will this allow you to focus entirely on your workout, but you won’t be interrupting your fellow classmates.

Don’t Forget Locker Room Etiquette!

It should go without saying but remain respectful even in the locker room.

While you may not mind flaunting your body, not everyone wants to see you naked.

Lounging, stretching, and talking with your friends before you're dressed may seem fine to you, but not everyone may be comfortable with this.

Also, don’t sprawl out all of your belongings across the locker room benches.

Your shoes, clothes, gym bags, and water bottles should be kept close by and stored in a locker.

Especially during peak hours, lock up your things so that everyone has enough space.

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Anything New With COVID?

As already mentioned, the general rules of proper gym etiquette that were in place prior to COVID shouldn’t have changed much.

But the fact is that a lot of people weren’t following these guidelines as they should have been.

With the pandemic still following us around, it is crucial to adhere to these rules even more closely.

The biggest ones to follow are disinfecting equipment and maintaining a safe distance of six feet between other gym-goers.

Prior to entering the gym and after leaving, be sure to wash your hands for 30 seconds or use disinfecting hand gel.

Since COVID, like all respiratory viruses, can be spread through mucosal surfaces, avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose as much as possible.

Most gyms may still have their drinking fountains shut off to limit potential sources of viral spread, so be sure to bring along a water bottle for your workout.

Learn how to keep your immune system strong and fight viruses, bacteria, and stress!

The Unwritten Rules of Gym Etiquette

It can be intimidating to jump back into a gym routine, especially after a long time away.

But proper gym etiquette isn’t just for newcomers.

A lot of women that have been going to the gym for years tend to ignore these rules from time to time.

Luckily, by following some simple guidelines, and using some common sense, you will be back in your comfort zone in the gym.

And after a long break away, this can be some great motivation for getting that fit mom body!

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on proper gym etiquette.