Over the past 11 years I have been inside many gyms, many times. Probably upwards of a 1000 times. I’ve come to love and hate all aspects of gym life. Since lately I’ve been visiting Planet Non Fitness I have a lot more hating experiences than ones I love. Here are a few ways (thanks to the many members of gyms in Amherst, Hadley and Belchertown) that you SHOULD behave in a gym.
Re-rack your weights
Really. You had enough strength to load the leg press with 540 lbs but by the end you are too tired to remove them??? Puhleez!!!
Wipe down your sweat
I know some people don’t care about sitting in other’s sweat but the majority of people do.
Move AWAY from the dumbbell rack before starting to lift
Seriously, grab your weights and move at least a few feet back from the rack. It’s annoying to have to wait for you to finish your 30 bicep curls in order for me to grab some weights.
Do not use your cell phone on ANY piece of equipment
By this I mean, DO. NOT. SIT. OR. STAND. ON. ANY. EQUIPMENT. WHILE. USING. YOUR. PHONE. If it’s an emergency or even just a friend who wants to cry about their recent breakup, move far away from those people trying to exercise and take the call.
Do not hog the only set of 7.5lb weights
This happened the other day. A woman surrounded with at least 4 different dumbbell sets sat talking to another woman for 20 minutes!! And yes, I timed it.
Using one machine for your entire workout
This happens EVERY time I visit the Planet Fitness in Belchertown. A person sits on one machine for their entire workout. I’m not talking about the elliptical or treadmill. I’m talking about the shoulder press machine or leg press. This is for a good 30-40 minutes. I should count how many sets they do on that one machine but I’m too busy using multiple means of exercise to get an effective workout.
Lifting too much weight
This is one that is near and dear to my heart. Why oh why would you lift so much weight that you can’t do a proper rep of a given exercise??? I understand that many men don’t want to be perceived as weak but really, when you injury yourself you are just going to be known as weak AND dumb.