Fitness

Common Gym Etiquette Offenders

Those who work out in a gym may recognize certain people who annoy others with rude or oblivious behavior. Discourteous actions can put a damper on a workout, making it a frustrating and irritating experience, rather than a positive one.
Read below about 8 common gym etiquette offenders anyone can avoid becoming with a little consideration for others.gymetiquette

1. The Slammer
You may be startled this person's weights crashing to the ground, or by their weight machine clanking deafeningly between repetitions.
Not only are these loud noises annoying for those near The Slammer, people with anxiety disorders such as PTSD can find them to be anxiety triggers, turning a trip to the gym from cathartic to stressful.
The Slammer is also known by anyone with knowledge of proper form as The Cheater, because not controlling weights on the way down doesn't allow muscles to be fully used, and is lazy lifting.

2. The Super Soaker
Yes, sweating at the gym is normal, but people should realize that excess sweat has to go somewhere, and unfortunately, the weight machines, bikes and benches are not made of sponge.

Most gyms have paper towels available and conveniently placed, hoping people will wipe up their own wetness. But if your gym doesn't offer this feature, there is an amazing moisture-absorbing invention called a towel we can all use so the person after us won't be forced to share our DNA.

3. The Machine Monopolizer
Boy, you'd love to use that weight machine. And that one, too. But that person at your gym has decided to drape a towel over each one to "save" them while rotating, making it so nobody else can use the machines they're monopolizing.

This is very rude, because by making people wait to use an empty machine, The Monopolizer is saying to everyone, "My time is more important than your time."
Working different muscle groups is effective, but can be done without hogging machines.

4. The Slowpoke
The Slowpoke is that person casually reading a book, or sitting for long stretches of time between sets on the same machine, not really working out hard enough to accomplish anything.

Usually only at the gym to placate their nagging doctor, or to feel like they're "doing something for their health," what The Slowpoke doesn't realize is that if they aren't going to actually work the muscles, they're only wasting their time. And yours.

5. The Cardio Keeper
The general rule in most gyms, whether posted or not, is that if the cardio machines are full, gym members should limit time to 30 minutes to allow other members a chance to warm up.

You'll recognize The Cardio Keeper as that person who sees people waiting to use a cardio machine, but inconsiderately stays on for an hour.

6. The Weight Leaver
The most perplexing of gym etiquette offenders, The Weight Leaver is an elusive and confusing creature.

You won't see the weight leaver, but you will know them by their trail of weights. You know… the weights they came to the gym to lift, yet lazily left on every machine they used?

Gym etiquette experts have yet to figure out why anyone would come to a gym to use their muscles, but then be lazy about doing exactly that.
Perhaps someday the mystery of The Weight Leaver will be solved, but until then, the rest of us will have to rack the weights these slothful mammals leave behind.

7. The Expert
That's funny - you don't recall hiring a personal trainer. Yet looming over you while you work out, giving you "pro-tips" is a complete stranger who has decided to boost their ego by telling you what you're doing wrong.

If nobody asked, there's a reason for that, but The Expert seems to have no clue. The best way to avoid The Expert is by ignoring them until they go away.

8. The Yapper
This person has a cell phone, and they're not afraid to use it - loudly - and usually while you're trapped next to them, trying to get some cardio.

Try as you might to outpace their conversation, it will race along beside you, forcing you to be an unwitting participant in a complete stranger's relationship with another human.

When faced with The Yapper, feel free to hum loudly, or even join in on the fascinating discussion about what their co-worker said today and what they're making for dinner.

It really isn't difficult to be a considerate gym member or human. By trying to avoid the behaviors above, and having respect for the people around us, we can all have a great gym workout every time.

Ashley Jenkins is a professional blogger that shares tips and advice on health, training and nutrition. He writes for Fitness 19, a leading fitness facility with affordable month to month memberships.

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