Gym Etiquette 101

You go to the gym to work out- but so do a lot of other people. Fellow gym members can make your transformation process even more amazing- but sharing the space can also be awkward. When you're lifting on the floor or exercising in the cardio cinema, gym etiquette is important!

Here are our top tips for making a shared gym experience great (for yourself and everyone around you.)

Gym Etiquette Lingo

Some phrases you'll hear around the gym are related to gym etiquette. For instance, listen for:

"Can I work in with you?"

The person saying this didn't misspeak. Working in with someone means sharing the equipment. For example, if your set involves the leg press and standing squats, someone might want to use the leg press when you're off doing squats. You can simply nod, or let them know how many reps you're doing so they can work in with you better.

"Want a spotter?"

While some people might offer to spot you because they love helping other people out, chances are most people are expecting spotting to be mutual. They'll spot you, but they want you to spot them next. This can actually be a great way to make gym friends and learn from others- but make sure it's a two-way street!

Basic Etiquette Staples

Some elements of etiquette are obvious. Putting equipment you use away, for instance, is a no-brainer. The other gym members are not your maids! Besides, who wants to have to hunt down the equipment they need instead of finding it where it belongs?

Here are some other staples:

• Use the free towels we offer to wipe down equipment after use
• Foods you have to chew don't belong in workout spaces
• Hovering or camping out near equipment is inconsiderate and awkward, so don't
• Come to workout, not hang out, make calls, etc.

If You're Part of a Class or Personal Training

Besides those general gym etiquette staples, there are some specific ways you should be considerate when you're working out in a class or with a personal trainer:

• Practice good hygiene (workouts are going to make you sweat, be prepared!)
• Allow personal space 
• Don't talk through the whole workout, especially about personal matters

Unspoken Rules

Although these rules aren't necessarily going to be spoken out loud, these ones are plain old good manners:

• Don't sing out loud, no matter how amazing your voice is
• Watch your volume- whether you're setting weights down, grunting, or asking a question
• If someone has headphones in, try not to bother them
• Keep opinions to yourself, unless you know the person or they ask

Are you ready to hit the gym with the rest of the Gold's Community? Come prepared. Use our FREE Workout Workbook.

Gold’s Gym SoCal is an association of separate clubs—click here for info.