Gym Etiquette 101: Handling Space Invaders

There are many ways to invade someone’s space at the gym or to have yours invaded.

CONVERSATIONS

Someone reading a book or wearing headphones and exercising with great intensity most likely doesn’t want to hear about someone’s day or the history of the pilgrims on the Mayflower. #gymfail

Having a conversation on your phone while you are working out is equally annoying. Your jaw doesn’t need exercise. #gymfail

PARAPHERNALIA

Many people carry a gym bag, towel or other type of accessory throughout the gym. If you take paraphernalia into an exercise room rather than lock it in a locker, be sure to keep it with you. A common complaint in weight rooms is that people will leave a gym bag on a weight machine after they have moved on to other equipment. Or they might leave a water bottle on a machine as if to reserve the equipment for later use. No one should take up space unless they are actually using the equipment. Hogging equipment makes the pet peeve list. #gymfail

SPITTING

Spitting is inappropriate on the basketball court or in the weight room. Yes, it happens. It might help the traction on your shoes, but it doesn’t help those who might trip and fall because of it in a boot camp class that follows the game.

Which leads us to…

GERMS

Germs are out there and they are definitely in a gym. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so always wipe down mats and equipment before and after exercise. Not wiping down equipment is the biggest complaint of gym rats. #gymfail

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Basically, be considerate of others…just like in the real world. Being considerate includes never patting someone on the ass, because it makes you look like one. It is NEVER appropriate to pat someone on the ass (well, not at the gym) …no matter how inviting their ass may be or how engaging their exercise routine might be.

Trying to pick up someone at the gym is frowned upon. It’s a gym, not a club. #gymfail

Stalking someone at the gym, just like anywhere else, is not allowed.

With all the fit bodies walking around, it’s hard not to notice. Consider it like eye candy – another gym benefit. No touching or stalking though.

Read more at www.gymetiquette101.com. Buy a copy of the book online at Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble or Park Road Books.

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