1. Don't Be A Chatty Cathy
Whether you're lifting with a buddy or just are in the gym on your own, it's tempting to use the gym as your social hour. Do not do this. If you're holding a dumbbell or barbell, lift it—don't just cradle it as you blab to your girlfriend about Timmy's school project. Other people want to use that equipment. This also goes for people who just sit on a bench or machine while they chat. There are a gazillion other places you can chat besides the pec deck. Do the work, or step away.
Even worse are the people who insist on talking in the middle of a difficult set. Hint: if the person you're talking to is breathing really hard, grunting, or is wearing an expression of pain mixed with mild panic, shut up. That person doesn't want to—and probably can't—talk to you. Sorry.
2. Don't Smell
There's nothing worse than getting a deep breath of Acqua Di Gio when you're in the middle of a heavy squat. It means instant nausea, instant headache. I can't think of a reason why anyone would need to swim in cologne before he goes to the gym. The same can be said about ladies: Love Spell perfume does not mix well with sweat and effort.
On the other hand, excessive body odor is just as bad. Treadmilling next to a person who clearly had numerous tequila shots and cigarettes the night before is an awful experience.
3. Don't Leave Your Weights
Bro, I'm totally impressed that you can bench 315 pounds. But when you're done, please don't leave the plates on the bar. By doing this, you're essentially telling everyone else at the gym that you're more important than they are. That's just plain rude. Be considerate and place your weights in the appropriate place you’re when finished with them.
4. Don't Leave A Sweat Puddle
Nothing is grosser than coming across a machine with someone else’s sweat on it. It’s also unsanitary! Take the extra second to place a towel down on your machine/bench BEFORE you start using it. If you forget, take the extra time to wipe it down after you’re done using it. Many gyms will provide wipes just for this purpose! Sweat happens. You're in a gym, that's what you do. But not everyone else in the gym wants to lay or sit in your puddle. It's just not the right way to mark your territory.
5. Don't Coach
If you see someone who is clearly lifting improperly, don't say anything. OK, I'll allow this: Unless that person is in a near-death position and you are the only one who can save them, don't say anything. It's not your place. If you are concerned about someone doing something dangerous, seek out a trainer and tell them about the situation. It’s not your job to be the gym police.
Furthermore, knowing what you're talking about and thinking you know what you're talking about are two different things. If you learned from watching a YouTube video about proper deadlifting technique, telling Hulkmaster Huge in the corner that his feet aren't spaced wide enough is a bad call.
6. Don't Be Selfish
Say it with me friends, "sharing is caring." Gyms have limited equipment. You may need to let someone do their working sets during your rest periods. True, if you share the cable machine, you may not be able to time your circuit like a Swiss watch. But that's not something to worry about—your biceps aren't going to lose an inch if you have to wait an extra 30 seconds.
7. Don't Be Oblivious
Gyms are full of other people. No matter how awesome Eminem sounds blasting in your Dre Beats, you can't pretend that you're the only person there. That means you should be cognizant of how much room you're taking up, whether you're standing directly in front of someone, and how much noise you're making.
8. Don't Ogle
Man or woman, it's difficult not to be aware of the myriad attractive people you may find in the gym. However, staring creepily at the chick doing bent-over rows or the dude doing barbell hip thrusts is not cool. Mind your own business.
9. Don't Misuse Equipment
If you don't know how something works, ask. If you aren't sure that a machine is working properly, ask. If you think something's wrong with your treadmill, ask.
It's also best if you use equipment as it's meant to be used. For instance, if you find yourself doing biceps curls in a squat rack, you'd better move. Someone might kill you.
Be considerate of others around you — when you drop your weights after you’re finished completing an exercise, the sound and vibration can cause other people to lose focus. Plus, by dropping your weights, you are more likely to injure yourself and those around you.
10. Don't Make Fun of Overweight People
If you make fun of people who are in the gym trying to be more healthy and fit, then you are an asshat. The gym is already an intimidating place for a lot of people. It magnifies people’s self-perceived flaws and can make them very self-conscious. The last thing people want to hear is someone making snide remarks, making fun of others, or snapping at people when they ask a question. Understand that everyone is at the gym to get healthier – be nice and treat others the way you would want to be treated.
11. Don’t invade someone’s private space
The gym can get packed at times, especially in the early morning or after work. There may not be a ton of space for you to do what you want, and if that’s the case, don’t be selfish and invade someone else’s space. Try to find a spot of your own; and if you can’t, improvise and pick another exercise, or patiently wait.
12. Don’t have a conversation on your cellphone
Nothing disrupts the gym’s energy more than when someone takes a call on the gym floor. If you know the call is important or going to be a long one, kindly grab your belongings and step off the gym floor to take the call. This way you can focus on your call and you’ll free up gym space, allowing other people to use the equipment.
13. Wear appropriate workout Attire
Gym clothing that is explicit and exposes the front or the back is unacceptable. Skip the make up and designer "workout clothing." You should be able to move around without exposing yourself.
References:
Bodybuilding.com - 10 Habits Of Highly Offensive Gym Goers:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-habits-of-highly-offensive-gym-goers.html
Reader's Digest - 8 Things Not to Do at the Gym:
http://www.rd.com/health/fitness/8-things-not-to-do-at-the-gym/
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