FitSugar

Hitting the Gym? Check Your Etiquette

FitSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

The gym is a shared space where we sweat, work hard and relax. There are some important spoken and unspoken rules when it comes to working out with others, so please keep these in mind the next time you go to work out. Some of these are FitSugar readers' ideas.

"Don't go to the gym if you're sick." - jkat
Come clean. Your clothes should be washed and smelling fresh. Also, Spectra says, "Please wear deodorant at the gym, especially if you plan on getting really sweaty. "
AMP says "Please no perfume [or cologne] at the gym." The powerful smell could cause an allergic reaction in tight quarters.
Leave your cell phone in the car or locker room. If you're expecting a call, turn off the ringer and call the person back once you're away from other gym-goers. No one wants to here you gabbing away.
Don't be a hog. The equipment is there to share so be mindful of the time limits on cardio and weight machines. If you're training for a marathon and need the treadmill for more than an hour, hit the gym mid-day when it's not so crowded.
LesleyP825 also says, "You know what I hate? Hovering. Like if I'm on a machine in the middle of a set and someone is standing over you. Then when I get off they practically jump on top of me to use it. Have some patience!"

For more etiquette advice read more.

Don't stare. Aside from being rude, keep in mind that people aren't always looking to meet while they're sweating. If you're interested, talk to the person after the workout.
Get to classes at least five minutes early. It's nice to settle in and find your spot, and it ensures that you don't interrupt the class once it's already begun. If you're late, sneak in as quietly as possible.
"Don't chat to your friends during class." - syako
Clean off the equipment properly. Renees3 reminds us not to use the same towel you wiped up your sweaty face with to clean the machine. Use a clean towel or paper towel and cleaning spray offered by the gym to wipe down handles, buttons, and everything you touched to prevent passing on your germs.
"Don't leave your bags, jackets, towels, etc. where people can trip on them!" - millarci
"Please don't sit naked on the bench in the locker room. Seriously, for your sake and mine, put down a towel." - spider_pig

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Where Do You Stand: Talking in the Sauna?

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

After a long swim workout, or a short one for that matter, I like to treat myself to a relaxing sauna. I like a quiet sauna, no matter if it is at my gym or a fancy spa.

A friend from my moms' group complained that when she swims with a mom friend, the only time they have to gab is in the sauna, as swimming doesn't really lend itself to conversation and neither does hanging out with four kids under the age of five. She asked me about sauna etiquette: talking or no talking. While I understand her maternal need to squeeze in adult conversation, I stood my ground on the keeping quiet in the sauna rule but was wondering what you all think? So tell me . . .

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Do You Email or Text at the Gym?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

A lot of us have major issues with folks talking on their phones at the gym - it can be distracting during an otherwise peaceful time. Checking your BlackBerry or text messaging, on the other hand, is not nearly as distracting for the other gym goers, but it could spoil the relaxing part out of going to the gym for you.

It's not abnormal, Medical News Today reported that one in 10 people who head to the gym check their phones and email and text while working out. I'll admit it, sometimes I'll take my BlackBerry with me on the treadmill if I am waiting for an important email. Naturally I am curious about you, do you email and/or text while at the gym?

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Let's Review Gym Etiquette

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:30:00 -0800

January is a crowded time at the gym. Lots of people are working out to fulfill their 2008 resolutions, which is truly great. I thought it might be a good idea to review a few key elements of gym etiquette. If you are new to gym life, or just need a refresher course please read on.

Some gyms make you sign up for machines, so ask before hopping up on one that you see is empty. You don't want to upset someone who's been waiting a half an hour for a turn.
Clean up after yourself. Always bring a towel with you to wipe down machines and the pool of sweat you might have created. Likewise, put equipment back where it belongs. Even if you found a set of free weights in the spinning room, put them back where they belong so others know where to find them.
Don't hog the machines (especially if it's a busy time). Some gyms have time limits and it's up to the person using the machine to get off on time. Don't be one of those people who cover the display and pretends like you have no idea you've been on it for over 30 minutes.

What else should you know? To find out read more

Set machines back to the standard position after you're done. It's annoying when you go to use the leg extension machine and some guy has set it to 80 pounds.
Be respectful of your fellow gym members. Keep the chatting to a minimum and if you must have your cell phone with you, put it on vibrate. If you get a call, find a private place to talk.
Don't stare at other people working out. If you have a question for them, go ahead and ask, but staring is impolite!
Even though you're in an all girls locker room, be a little modest. Nobody wants to see you walking about in your birthday suit (even if you are proud that your hard work is paying off).

Did I miss any of the finer points? Please add them in the comment section below.

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Fittingly Mad: Wear a Shirt at the Gym Ladies

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I don't know if this bothers you, but there is something I need to get off my chest (pun intended)...

Ladies, I love that you are proud of your body and all, but please put on a shirt at the gym. A sports bra, bra being the key word here, is not an acceptable shirt at the gym. I am not just being a picky prude here, but a shirt is a way to keep sweat at bay. Nothing grosses me out more than the ladies who are at the gym for hours, mind you, sweating up a storm and rubbing on everything in their reach. Most weight machines require some type of upper body contact, not to mention the gross factor a sweaty, shirtless gym goer can add to the floor mats while doing abs. No one ever wipes down those mats either... but don't even get me started on that.

If you're proud of your figure, then more power to you. I am all for prancing around in your sports bra on an outside jog (with sunscreen, of course), just don't do it at the gym.

Thanks.

Gym Pet Peeves: Don't Be That Person

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

I tend to think of myself as relatively flexible when it comes to others but when it comes to gym behaviors, ugh, I have some serious pet peeves. The thing is, the gym is a communal place, which means we all are sharing and one a-hole talking loudly on his phone about his wild night can really ruin the experience for everyone.

To avoid being that guy/girl, keep in mind a few gym etiquette tips:

Wiping off your sweat from equipment -- Good if you already do it, gross if you don't.
Returning equipment to its original place -- Your mother is not picking up after you here and it's not fair for the next person looking for the 15 lbs weights to have to search for them.
Keep noise to a minimum -- We're all working out hard here, so major disturbances like grunting and slamming weights together are really not necessary.
Cutting in Line -- How old are we here? Cutting in line is rude and childish. Wait your turn and think about asking if you can work-in with someone else's sets.
Mind how much space you're taking up -- Don't talk on your cell phone loud (or at all really) and pace back and forth. Don't use equipment as a place to keep your things, someone may be waiting to use that bench your crap is sitting on.

Basically, as cheesy as it sounds, the Golden Rule applies even when you're at the gym: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

5 Tips for Gym Newbies

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

There is a first for everything at some point in our lives, even a first time going to the gym. So whether or not you are an avid outdoor exerciser or new to exercising altogether, here are a few tips to making your first trip to the gym a pleasant one.

Don't skip the new member tutorial -- It's helpful and informative.
While they do it on TV and in the movies, slamming your weights down on the floor is not considered cool.
Grunting, also not cool.
If you're going to be doing a marathon session on the treadmill, make sure there are not others waiting to use it.
Check out your gym's cell phone policy before having your daily phone convo with your sister on the elliptical.
*Bonus Tip: Wipe your sweat off anything that acquires it, it's just common courtesy.

Have your own tips for newbies? Add them in the comments section below.

Exercise Etiquette

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:06 -0700

I know that a lot of folks work out to let off a little steam, but sometimes I see manners, not to mention common sense, fall by the wayside on the road, trail, pool, and gym. Take this quiz to see if you know your exercise etiquette.

Flickr User richardmasoner

Take the quiz

Common Diet Sabotages: Part One

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Can't seem to figure out why you can't lose those last few pounds? It may not be the hours you're not spending at the gym or those random fast food runs that are sabotaging your diet, but rather the little things we may not even think about. Women's Health found common culprits for what may actually be keeping you from your goal weight. Here are highlights:

You're using the wrong serving utensils, and I'm not talking about etiquette here. If you find that you're always using big spoons and knives. Knives and spoons often go hand in hand with unhealthy items like mayo, peanut butter, ice cream. Forks, on the other hand, are better served to dig in to foods like salads, steamed fresh vegetables, and chewy lean meats.

There's more so read more.

Your produce is always going bad. Sure you're buying lots of fresh fruits and veggies at the store, but are you actually eating them? A drawer full of rotten produce may mean that you're not eating as healthy as you could be.
You're hungover. You can eat salads until you're green in the face, but splurging on cocktails is not helping your cause. Any drink with alcohol in it is high in calories and not to mention not nutritious at all.
You're always tired. Just like eating healthy and working out, sleep should become a priority. It's not only been proven that folks who get enough sleep have faster metabolisms. When push comes to shove, sleep is more essential than hitting the gym. So in a pickle, choose your bed over pumping iron.

Stay tuned for more common diet sabotages, but in the meantime do you have anything that is sabotaging your diet? Share it below.

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You Asked: Why Sauna?

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering.

"Hey Fit! My gym just got a makeover and there is now a sauna in the locker room. I have never used a sauna but I have seen them on TV, where you go in in your towel and just sweat. So, I wanted to know what are the benefits for using a sauna? Also I see people go in there right after working out and some of them go in fully clothed (even in sweats)! If you could reply, I would really appreciate it!"
– lisseth0221

This is a great question, and what a nice perk that your gym now has a sauna. I love saunas and to see why read more.

There are many benefits to using a sauna, and post workout the main one is to relax and congratulate yourself for a job well done. It is nice heat treatment for your muscles that just worked hard. Since the heat of the sauna makes you sweat, it is also a good way to detox, since sweating is one way to remove impurities from the body. Sweating in a sauna or steam room increases the circulation to the skin by dilating the blood vessels, which also reduces blood pressure. Make sure you drink enough water while using a sauna, especially after exercise, because you don't want to become dehydrated.

If it is acceptable to use the sauna nude, make sure to sit on a towel for hygienic reasons. It is good etiquette to shower before entering a sauna to get rid of any body odor (stink you worked up while working out) or smell of chlorine (I love to sauna after swimming laps). I am not sure why people are wearing sweats into the sauna since this will just increase the amount that they sweat and sounds uncomfortably hot. If they are wearing clothes in the sauna to promote weight loss, they are only losing "water weight" which they will regain as soon as they drink.

Since saunas are used for relaxation keep chatter to a minimum and make room for new comers if the sauna is crowded. Meaning if you are lying down, sit up to create space.

Many people like to finish their sauna experience with a cold shower or plunging into a cold pool. This is exhilarating, but can make your heart race. So do this with caution. If you have high blood pressure or a heart problem, be sure to check with your physician before going to a sauna or steam room.

Have fun and don't forget to replenish lost fluids.

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