Better kick this bad boy off by acknowledging that for the majority of us, yes, the following points will probably be straight-up common sense.
But, the fact that the following daft practices continue to happen, we thought we’d chat to a PT about how we should conduct our mortal flesh prisons at the gym.
Here’s Personal Trainer and founder of CombiFit, Carly Rodger, on the top ten cardinal sins you’re making on the gym floor, and how to avoid them at all costs.
1. Not keeping your stinking eyeballs to your stinking self.
Staring at strangers is creepy enough as is, but creep-factor goes up ten-fold when you lock eyes with someone mid-sumo squat.
“No one likes the person giving you the ‘what’s up’ eyes in the mirror when you’re trying to exercise. Some bigger gyms with lots of mirrors can turn a lot of people off going.” says Carly. You might think your sly side-eye is going undetected, but we see you.
“Sometimes newbies will try and watch others and copy what they’re doing if they’re stuck,” says Carly. But she reckons it’s best to ask the roaming trainers most gyms employ for a quick correction instead of going off someone else’s (possibly incorrect) technique.
“Just be mindful to try and keep your eyes on yourself and what you’re doing.” she says.
2. Speaking of stinking; forgoing deodorant.
“There have been times in group workout sessions where I’ve had to politely ask someone to go into the the bathroom and use the deodorant the gym provides in there.” says Carly, “horrendous”.
Anyone who has stepped foot inside a gym will be familiar with a certain breed of human who emits a pong so pungent it boasts a five-metre radius. A good rule of thumb? Over-deodorising > under-deodorising.
3. Wearing inappropriate attire.
“Guys taking their tops off while working out and women getting around just in sports bras,” Carly starts, “can make other people in the gym feel really awkward.” We at PEDESTRIAN.TV are all about flaunting your god-given gifts – but an old-fashioned concept named decorum goes a long way in making workout spaces comfortable for everybody.
4. MAKING TOO MANY LOUD NOISES.
Sometimes a grunt is necessary. We get that. If you’re doing your final rep in a mammoth set, you’re probably gonna make some exertion noise. But grunting for the sake of grunting? Off-putting. “People tend to get in the zone, which is fine if they’re focusing on their breath, as inhaling and exhaling is important; but we don’t need a Sharapova in the gym.” Carly says.
What about dropping heavy weights loudly? “There are some instances when this is fine. For example, if someone’s doing shoulder raises and the weight gets beyond the range where they can control putting it down slowly without injuring themselves, a drop might be necessary. But for something like deadlifts, be mindful of others and control the drop.”
5. Put your crap back where you found it.
If you’re strong enough to lift it, you’re strong enough to put it back on the weights rack. “It drives me mental when people leave their equipment everywhere” says Carly. “Again, it’s common courtesy – do your weights and pop them back where you got them, in order.”
Not only does it piss people off, leaving stuff on the floor can create a real OHS hazard. “Treat the gym like you would your house – clean up after yourself” she says.
6. Using specialised equipment for ~ rando ~ exercises.
“You do get the ones who like to go on their own merry way” Carly laughs. But some crumb-bum using the only squat rack in the gym as their own specialised curling set-up is inconsiderate. Same with using a bench for sitting.
7. Hogging the equipment.
Nobody likes a filthy hogger. We’re all paying to use the facilities, so when you can, let people work in with you. This is the fair shake of the sauce bottle principle in action.
8. Not wiping down that machine after you use it.
Carly puts it simply: “Bring a towel. Always”. This is common sweattiquette. You ain’t a snail, so don’t leave a trail. If you forget your towel sometimes (guilty), most gyms have disinfectant sprays and paper towel for you to use.
9. Stopping someone mid-exercise to give them handy hints.
How. It. Feels.
This one’s a sweatier version of mansplaining – but arguably more infuriating. Even if you’ve got good intentions, giving others unsolicited advice in the gym isn’t a great idea. Best to stick in your own lane, cause nobody likes their flow interrupted.
10. Having lengthy phone conversations on the gym floor.
“No one wants to hear your conversation.” She says. You might be pretty keen to hear all about Stacey’s wild Tinder date, but we’d hazard a guess 99% of the people in your immediate vicinity ain’t.
And that’s the thick and thin of it. Carly’s parting advice? “Get in, focus on yourself and give it your all”.
Photo: Burn After Reading.
