Unwritten Rules of Gym Etiquette You Need to Follow
Follow These Unspoken Rules in the Gym
A crowded gym is an intimidating, difficult-to-navigate place, especially for newbies and self-conscious individuals. Whether it’s your first day in the gym altogether, your first day in a new gym, or just another day in the gym, the abundance of sweat, testosterone, and desire can be overwhelming.
The gym is meant to be a safe space, where people of all different shapes and sizes can work toward their health and fitness goals. Staff are present to help, and rules are in place to ensure safety and a positive experience for everyone.
However, there are some unwritten rules that all gym-goers should be following. These rules aren’t often put on wall displays, and aren’t always followed even though they should be.
These are 10 unwritten rules of gym etiquette that you need to follow for a safe and welcoming gym experience for everyone.
- Re-Rack Your Weights
I can’t stress this rule enough. Please re-rack your weights when you’re done using them.
There are few things more frustrating than searching the gym for a specific pair of dumbbells but being unable to find them because “Big-Arms Bobby” left them on the floor by the water fountain. Or waiting 15 minutes for the leg press because the Incredible Hulk left eight plates on each side.
It really isn’t that hard either. If you’re strong enough to take the weights, you’re strong enough to put them back.
If you’re a bodybuilder, consider this your cardio.
Please re-rack your weights when you’re done.
2. Don’t Curl in the Squat Rack
This one should also be relatively self-explanatory, yet so many people lack the self-awareness to realize how douchey they look when they grab a squat rack, load the bar with 5–10 pound plates, and start repping out bicep curls.
The squat rack is there for people to do squats. Or other big movements that can’t be performed anywhere else in the gym (rack pulls, olympic lifts, etc.) Bicep curls can be performed literally anywhere in the gym. Literally anywhere.
Find an extra barbell, or an EZ bar, or a straight bar, or a set of dumbbells, and pick literally anywhere in the gym where you can stand arms-length away from anyone else, and do curls there. Don’t take up valuable squat rack space from those looking to actually train legs.
If you do bicep curls in the squat rack, we all assume you skip leg day, and that’s not a good look.
3. Wipe the Machines When You’re Done
Another one that should be self-explanatory (and is actually often posted on the gym rules display on the wall), but one that I feel should be brought up simply because of the failure of so many people to actually do it.
Let’s ignore the COVID pandemic the last three years has brought the world, which should have been reason enough to clean the equipment you use after you’re done. Let’s also skip the step where I tell you how important it is to clean your equipment.
Instead, I’ll just ask the question: would YOU be okay with working out on a bench covered in sweat, with weights covered in chalk, previously used by another person who has had their hands and body all over numerous other pieces of equipment? Would you feel this way after learning that over 40% of people (in America) don’t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom (with 15% not washing their hands at all)??
This one should be common sense. Every gym has some form of disinfecting spray or wipes present at multiple stations at all times. Use it when you’re done.
4. Keep Your Music In Your Headphones
It happens; sometimes you forget your headphones at home. It sucks, and it makes for a less thrilling workout. But there are few things more obnoxious than listening to the person next to you blaring bad music on speakerphone while you’re trying to focus. It may be better than the hot garbage that commercial gyms play in their sound systems, but it still isn’t great.
Please use headphones to listen to music. Invest in a good pair of sweat-resistant, exercise-resistant headphones. Not only will your peers respect you more, you’ll enjoy your workout more.
5. The Machines and Benches are for Exercising, Not Scrolling
This one might be one of the toughest to adhere to, especially in 2023. We are so connected to our phones and social media, it’s so easy to scroll tiktok and reply to messages any chance we get. And you know what, I’m not going to completely rip on people who do this at the gym (I have to admit, I’m occasionally guilty of this one). However, there is a massive difference between taking 30–60 seconds between sets to respond to an urgent text, and scrolling tiktok for minutes between sets.
If you’re resting between sets on a machine or bench, keep phone usage to the absolute minimum. If someone is waiting for the equipment you’re using, let them work in with you, and you can use your phone while they’re working. If you’re truly taking necessary rest between sets, keep phone use to a minimum, and be courteous to your fellow gym-goers.
6. Be Mindful of Others Who Are Mid-Set
While you’re in the gym, you really should only be focused on yourself, and not those around you. However, there’s a fine line between leaving other people alone and flat out ignoring them. If you see other people in the middle of a workout, please be mindful of what they’re doing and give them the space you’d want others to give you if you were in their shoes.
The biggest examples I see of this are people who are distracted (on their phone, or talking to friends) and they bump into someone actively exercising. Not only is this incredibly disrespectful, it exacerbates the risk of both parties getting hurt.
Another example I have experienced countless times: it’s common for lifters to use the mirrors to watch their form and ensure they’re using proper technique. Another oblivious gym-goer walks directly in front of the lifter to re-rack their dumbbells, without any consideration of the lifter and their mirror usage. It may be a small thing, but it’s a bit of a dick move if done intentionally, and a severe lack of self-awareness if done accidentally.
Leave others alone, but be mindful of what others are doing. Follow the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
7. Respect Trainers and their Clients
Personal training clients are often some of the most vulnerable people in the gym setting. They went out of their way to seek guidance from a professional to help improve their body and health. They pay a lot of money for the service.
Trainers have a tough job trying to coach these clients and navigate the gym to give their clients the best experience possible.
If you see a trainer working with a client, please give them space and let them work together. If they are using a piece of equipment or space that you’re interested in, let them be, and let them do what they need to do. It may be inconvenient if they’re using something you want for an extended period of time. But the client is paying a premium to work with the trainer, and the trainer is doing their best to give the client the best experience possible. Gyms are a shared space, be respectful and wait your turn.
If you really need that piece of equipment, you can wait for it (or sign up for training yourself). If not, you can find an alternative exercise, or try again another day.
8. Keep Others Out of Your Pictures/Videos
Most gyms have rules on their rule board about no phones or cameras on the gym floor or locker room period (and those rules are often ignored). In 2023, that rule can be modified to the unwritten but extremely important: keep others out of your pictures and videos.
If you’re filming yourself for a form check, an ego boost, an assessment, etc, that’s fine. Do what you want to do. But no one else wants to be in your shot. Especially a self-conscious individual who doesn’t want to be posted on social media as a background figure in an influencer reel.
If you are going to use a camera on the gym floor, be mindful of others and the space you’re in, and create your set-up to keep others out of your shots. If that’s not possible, come back at a time where the gym is emptier.
In the locker room, gym pics/videos are absolutely not good, but this should be common sense as well.
9. Don’t You Dare Try to Correct Someone’s Form Unsolicited
You are not an expert. You are not a trained professional. You do not know the other person’s story, what they’re doing, or what their goals are. Do not give someone unsolicited advice.
I am an expert. I am a trained professional with a doctorate degree, multiple licenses and certifications, and over eight years of training experience. I will not correct someone’s form unless I am asked, and the necessary steps are taken to ensure the safety of the individual and of my licenses and degrees.
Even if you are trained, educated, experienced, etc, you do not have the right or responsibility to help others who do not ask for it. It’s condescending, demeaning, and dangerous.
If the individual wants help, they will ask for it. If not, leave them be, they will figure it out.
10. For the Love of God, Men: Stop Staring at Women Working Out
The gym is supposed to be a safe space for people to work out, improve their bodies, and feel confident in themselves. Yet so many women avoid the gym because of the way they’re treated by men.
Men: stop staring at women in the gym. It’s creepy. It’s weird. It’s harassment. She’s not going to sleep with you if you’re staring at her ass. She’s not “asking for it” by wearing tight leggings or a sports bra. You’re not “admiring her form” by watching her do squats or deadlifts. You’re being a creep, and you should have your membership revoked if you harass a girl in the gym.
The gym is not a place to hunt for a hook-up or search for your future wife. The gym is a place to work. Put your head down and work.
Leave women alone in the gym.
Bottomline
These unwritten rules may not show up on a rule board, but they are extremely important to follow to maintain proper gym etiquette and make the gym a safe, enjoyable place for everyone.
If you’re already following these rules: good job, keep working hard.
If you didn’t know these rules existed: now you know. Implement them next time you go to the gym, and you’ll gain a lot more respect from your peers.
If you know these rules exist, and you still don’t follow them: now is your chance to correct yourself and be a better person.
If you disagree with any of these rules: you are part of the problem. Acknowledge you are wrong, develop some empathy for others, and commit to growing up. If you want to continue to break these rules, cancel your gym membership, set up your own gym in your home, and do whatever you want in your own space.
Practice proper gym etiquette, and treat others the way you’d want to be treated.
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