How NOT To Look Like an Idiot at the Gym

[BelleVent]

The Chinese do every thing on your list.

The other day I was doing machine bicep curls and had a dude standing right ontop of me - his belly was literally touching my left arm. I pushed him, he pushed me back and called me a motherfukcer. The next day he had me go to the police station and formally apologize to him in front of the cops.

Grates me when guys throw 5lb db's on the floor - my philosophy is: if you're going to drop them, you shouldn't be lifting them in the first place.

Viva China

[LiftingZing]

If waiting for a machine/bench, don't wait for the person using it to go get a drink of water and snag their machine ...Communicate with them and ask if they are done using it, or if you can work in with them. etiquette.

[RedSox1990]

Sorry but some of these are ridiculous. If you dont want grunting or throwing weights go to planet fitness. If you are pushing yourself hard its hard not to grunt sometimes. I use my phone to track my workouts, how does that discredit my work ethic? I definitely agree with 9 though, I see people doing certain exercises with such bad form that I giggle in my mind a bit.

[warrior055]

grunting is something that can be done as long you are not screaming

[ensayofr]

So true.. people admiring themselves or screaming look so idiotic...

[Luke112]

The guy doing deadlifts whilst making a NNGGGRHHHHHHH noise each half rep he does....

[masiso]

I was looking for something to add but I think you covered all of them!

Iam with you dude!!!

[Pirlo21]

I guess throwing dumbells at the end of the sets is fine as long as they are 80+

[NorthernMusicia]

My pet peeve. "Don't drop the weights!" signs all over the gym that is either concrete floor or rubber matted. (You weren't stupid enough to put your gym in a place with a wooden floor, were you?) I don't drop weights - generally. But if I'm doing a deadlift and I feel my back having an issue, or if I simply can't let the weight down for some other reason without hurting myself, it's gone! I paid for the scuff on your floor. I'm not being disrespectful; I'm being safe. This isn't a country club. On the other hand if you have some ass in your gym who's dropping everything every time, then talk to him. Those guys are peacocks trying to make sure they are seen. They don't impress me. The guys who impress me are the guys you hardly notice and are constantly in control. Eat the peacock; Respect the quiet stalker.

[rossmcd87]

1. Get the !@#$ off your cell phone.

I bet some people think this about me.

However, I am not texting or using FB. I am using the timer to time my rest periods!

[jwym23]

Seems as if most of these guys arguing with these points are the type of people I can't stand being in the gym with. All these are spot on accurate in context. You don't want to be waiting for a squat rack and have the idiot standing there chatting it up with some chick for 10 minutes. Same goes for phones. Use your common sense people. obviously tracking your workouts isn't what he's talking about. The gym rats who are writing emails and making calls while using one of the 5 bench press's is what hes talking about.. Great points I completely agree

[dancyneptune]

Great post, great read. If only I could hang this up at my gym!

My pet peeves, don't take all the dumbbells you'll need, along with any other free weights from machines to where they belong, and then leave to go to the bathroom for 15 mins.

[ZePikeno]

I read many people saying that they use the phone, see no problem and thats it.
But I think if you are going heavy, if you are training seriously, you need to be focused. And focus and cellphone just can't get along fine.

[Cape1]

Unless the activity of others interferres with the benefit that I derive from the Gym, I dont care what anyone else does.

If you guys are that concerned with how you look and others act, you need counseling, not a gym..

[NorthernMusicia]

There's this one guy that goes to a gym I visited in the summer while visiting family for a period of weeks. He has this thing about walking into your space. You'll be lifting and he'll walk through where the weight is traveling. He knows you can see him coming because of the mirror where you're checking your form and he just walks in. I finally hit (on purpose?) him one day while working with a fairly light weight and he started chewing me out, until about three other guys turned up and told him he was an ass and it was time to start walking around people. He almost turned purple. I didn't even have to say anything. I'm the old guy.

[mattp1986]

I use my phone a lot in the gym because I store my workout log on it and also have my headphones in / Spotify playing... very rarely to I check texts while I'm in the gym

[DevrinB]

I read many people saying that they use the phone, see no problem and thats it.
But I think if you are going heavy, if you are training seriously, you need to be focused. And focus and cellphone just can't get along fine.

What if you are using your phone as your mp3 player? That should be fine huh?

[justwannagetfit]

saving this for later thanks for the information

[bubbadreier]

I ran into my first "I don't train legs" guy today, he was also only wearing compression underwear... Does that count for double?

[Ramoneb87]

I use my phone a lot in the gym because I store my workout log on it and also have my headphones in / Spotify playing... very rarely to I check texts while I'm in the gym

Used to do this, then I dropped a dumbbell on my bag and smashed my iphone and a bottle of cologne, now I never bring my phone

[LukeRobertLeith]

I can't even tell you how many idiots I see at the gym each day. Me, as well others who workout regularly, have developed a keen eye for spotting gym "noobs" who have absolutely no idea what they're doing. It's not that I care that people look dumb when working out...I really don't, what bothers me is a) that people are cheating themselves out of a solid workout and b) that they make the gym environment less enjoyable for everyone else. Where do you think all of the stereotypes about regular gym-goers came from? Those jackasses. Abide by the following ten rules of gym etiquette and you'll instantly look more experienced and professional, but most importantly you'll give others the best possible chance to have a kick ass workout.


1. Get the !@#$ off your cell phone. This is my #1 pet peeve among all else, even more so than the lazy ass people who stand still on the airport moving walkways (they're not rides). The gym is a place to bust-ass and work hard, NOT check your voice mail, text, make calls, or check e-mail. If you're on your phone your work ethic is immediately discredited and you appear as if you really don't give a **** about what you're doing. Exercise with purpose and with intensity...it's the only way you'll achieve your goals. Get rid of all the distractions, your cell phone is a biggy. My only exception to this is the iPhone because of it's iPod functionality.

2. Put back your weights. If you use dumbbells or load a barbell, be courteous and return what you used back to its original spot. I have two major reasons for this. 1) If a barbell is loaded or dumbbells are sitting next to a bench it signals to other lifters that the equipment is still in use. If you leave weights behind it prevents others from using the equipment. 2) Why should someone else have to clean up after your lazy ass? If you use equipment it's NOT the job of other lifters or gym employees to move the weights that you used. It takes unnecessary time and energy to return weights, re-rack your weights after you're done.


3. Don't stand in front of weight racks. If you're using dumbbells use them away from the rack. I can't tell you how frustrating it is when I'm trying to get a set of dumbbells, but some idiot is doing curls right in front of the rack blocking it. It's really not difficult, just move to an open area and move on your way.

4. Stop admiring yourself. Everyone loves looking at themselves...admiring the herculean body they've sculpted, but remember you're in a public place. Staring at yourself, flexing excessively, and pulling up your shirt to show off your abs all fall into the category of being a conceited jackass. You look like an idiot, everyone around you thinks you're an idiot (and I mean everyone), and trust me you don't look good or cool no matter how sexy your body is. Do it in the locker room or in the privacy of your own home.



5. Stop hitting on women. This one's mainly for guys, but a huge no-no is trying to pick up women in the gym. Women at the gym are typically focused on one thing, their workout, and they don't want to be bothered by some meat head throwing around inappropriate remarks. I guarantee you that they'll ignore you or give you a disgusted look, and really what you're doing is throwing off their workout and making yourself look stupid. Respect a woman's space and focus and leave her be. If she asks for help or advice that's one thing, but keep everything appropriate and friendly.

6. Respect people's space when they're working. If someone is in the process of working out, DO NOT talk to them, ask if you can use the equipment next, distract them, or crowd their space (this is assuming they're not standing in front of the weight rack, in that case do what you want). It's beyond disrespectful to interfere with someone when they're smack dab in the middle of a hard ass set, pushing themselves to hit a new max. Wait until they finish their set and then kindly move along with your business.


7. Don't be a hog. Gyms are a public place, nobody owns any of the equipment. Often gyms get really crowded, equipment gets backed up, and people are forced to wait to use what they want. If you know others are waiting, accommodate them by offering to work in with them (switch off), or simply go a little faster. Also, if you're resting in between sets do not sit on the equipment. Get off until your next set so that it gives others a chance to use it. There's no reason you should have to skip an exercise because equipment is occupied. Kindly ask if you can work in and they should more than happily agree to share.


8. Don't be obnoxious. Don't throw weights, grunt, yell, scream, or making stupid noises. You look like an idiot and sound like an idiot. Breathe under control and lower weights slowly. If you have to throw weights down when you're done that means they're way too heavy.



9. Do some research. One of the things that bothers me most is when people use awful form. So many people flail weights around like floppy fish, throwing their arms everywhere back and forth, thinking that they're actually doing something productive. They're not. Using proper form and doing exercises correctly is so important for getting maximal results and preventing injury. Get your thighs parallel to the ground on squats. Tuck your elbows into your sides during bicep curls and triceps extensions. Don't arch your back during deadlifts. Raise and lower weights in a slow, controlled manner. These are fundamental skills that so many people lack. Do a little research, watch a YouTube video, or ask an experienced friend...it doesn't matter. It takes a little bit of work to vastly improve the quality of your workout. Besides being more effective, you'll automatically look 100x more experienced and proficient.

10. Wipe down. If you sweat all over a bench or machine, wipe it down with some disinfectant. Noone wants your sweat or germs on their clothes.

I totally agree with you about people wiping sweat off the bench or machine once they've used it, but I've got to say that is almost mainly aimed at people who have been to the gym a while, most noobs are young teens who ain't large but more skinny.
Another thing, you can't expect people to do tones of research on form and then on their first day at the gym they crack it and they have perfect form, no it's not like that, it takes time and practice. It's the same for anything, sports also.
People who make noises are most likely trying their hardest to push one last rep out, I respect that and In my opinion their is nothing wrong with it as it's a gym, you are their to work hard and push yourself.
Also let people admire their self, if they have gains they are just happy and impressed about them selves. It's a good feeling when you've accomplished a goal.
Oh and lastly, let me just say that when I'm resting in between set 1-2 mins I usually go on my phone to kill the time after I've racked up the weights. So imo their is nout wrong with that, you are just nit picking... Get on with your own workout, people like you who judge lower other self esteem, mainly new comers.

[Tmax55]

6. Respect people's space when they're working. If someone is in the process of working out, DO NOT talk to them, ask if you can use the equipment next, distract them, or crowd their space (this is assuming they're not standing in front of the weight rack, in that case do what you want). It's beyond disrespectful to interfere with someone when they're smack dab in the middle of a hard ass set, pushing themselves to hit a new max. Wait until they finish their set and then kindly move along with your business.

Years ago when I was in college and tried to workout at the university gym I was doing skull crushers with a weight I could easily handle. The gym was packed as it was the month before spring break. Some skinny dude with died Orange hair takes a fixed weight barbell swings it around and it hits the bar on my knuckles as I am lifting it - my fingers bled like crazy and I guess I said some threatening things to the dude. I tried to mop up the blood with a towel...and some asshat complained about the blood and language as if the whole sequence was my fault. After that I left the university gym and drove off campus.

[Espi1971]

Best thing I've discovered is headphones. At full volume. Tends to minimize distractions.

If somebody's doing something I dislike or invading my space, etc., I'll just go do another exercise. It's not worth confronting. I'd rather go do the leg press than wait around for the idiot who's doing arm curls in the squat rack. I can always come back later to do my squats.

[BBohata]

It's bad enough to give unsolicited advice. Worse is to give incorrect advice. When I was in college, I was doing leg extensions and was told that I should sort of throw the weight up and catch it with my legs. My knees hurt just thinking about it.

[bigbrianc]

I don't think anyone has a "problem" with it. It just looks retarded. For centuries, humans have been functioning without gadgets like iphones. Arnold got his look without an iphone tracking his rest times. An old stop watch accompanied by a lil notebook and pen can do the same thing.

I suppose for some of us, the gym is a sort of safe haven escape from the modern world. Where only work ethic and iron can get you where you want to go. It's free from constant gadgets and the other crap our world has become so obsessed with. So when we see someone who, it appears, cannot even take 45 minutes to just workout without having to constantly check their phone, it just annoys or disappoints us.

I mean, it's 30-45 minutes. And some people just can't risk taking that amount of time disconnected from the world, risk not seeing the latest ******** updates, whatever, to just workout.

Anyway, you said thats not why you have the phone and thats cool. It's none of my business really. But I'm just telling you why some of us, me included, get a bit disgusted when we see people with their cell phones right along beside them through their entire workout. I just think "How sad" that a person cannot disconnect themselves from the digital world for 45 minutes a day to do some deadlifts. Just trying to conserve the haven that is the gym for as long as we can before the inevitable invasion of the soft, tech obsessed society that our population has become gripped by.

If your like me. I'm waiting for a call for a kidney transplant. It can come at any time. My phone is with me and on everywhere I go

[almazin]

Dont curl in the squatrack crew
Dont interrupt people midset crew
Dont stare at my sexy body while midset crew
Be respectful and clean things when done crew

[klaximilian]

As an early morning lifter, I recently discovered the stupidity of gym-goers in the 5:00pm rush hour crew. My God, the audacity of some of these numbskulls.

"Don't mind me as I walk into your ROM as you perform Lateral Raises"

"I see you have that rope in your hand about to start performing pulldowns, but do you mind if I get my last set in first."

"Excuse me brah, I saw you look my direction. What gives."

[Levson]

Only rule I think I violate is #9 since I'm new, but in my gym there's lots of experienced lifters who correct my form.


*** Shout out to all experienced lifters who advice noobs instead of publicly laughing at them ***


By the way, one annoying thing I have experienced is when I'm in the middle of a set and some random guy asks me "are you nearly finished with this exercise?" That's fukking annoying

[Summer2Z]

for the cell phone part, totally agree

[SonnyArvado1]

curling in the squat rack!!