Everyone is pretty chill in the gym but there are some sure-fire ways to piss people off. Follow these unspoken rules to avoid any beginner mistakes.
Wipe down the equipment
This is probably the biggest mistake newbies can make at the gym. Smashing out some bench press only to leave a puddle of back sweat for the next person to clean up is a big no-no.
Even worse is leaving a pile of arse sweat behind after doing leg press. Use a gym towel to soak up your sweat. Lay it across the bench or the seat of the machine. This is a good start, but all gyms have cleaning stations dotted around the machines. Take some paper towel, spray on the disinfectant and wipe down the machine where your body has contacted it. This is noticed by other people in the gym.
Return equipment: This one is easy. If you took dumbbells from a rack or a medicine ball from the shelf, put it back after you have finished. Return weight plates to the tree from the bench press. Follow the weight rules for the tree. Don’t put a 5kg plate on the bottom pole. Don’t put a 20kg plate on the top pole.
Mirror mirror on the wall: Gym rats like to watch themselves in the mirror to ensure they keep the correct form. That and they enjoy watching themselves in the mirror… Never stand in front of a mirror gazer, they will not be impressed.
Right spot: There is a right spot for each exercise in the gym so don’t take up the squat rack area doing sit-ups.
Share: Gyms can get crowded so play nice if someone asks if they can ‘work in’ with your sets. This means they use the machine while you are resting. If you are the one asking, make sure you put the weight back to what the person you are working into was lifting.
The grunter: No one wants to hear your excessive grunts and groans. Keep them for the bedroom.
Headphones: If someone is wearing headphones it means they are not in the mood for a chat. Respect it.
Personal space: It is tempting to take the cardio bike behind the hot chick running on the treadmill but if there are other machines free, give her some space.
Phone: Use it for listening to music not for chatting to randoms mid-workout.
Equipment ownership: If there is a towel or a drink bottle sitting on a bench or machine it means someone is using it. They might have just gone to the bathroom. If there is nothing on the machine but someone is standing nearby politely ask them if they are using it.
The dumbbell rack buffer: Never perform sets directly in front of the dumbbell rack. It makes it almost impossible for other people to get their dumbbells or return them. Make sure to step back a couple of metres at least to leave access.
Filming: If you have to film for looking at form or posting to your socials, make sure no one is filmed in the background. People deserve the right to work out without being splashed across the internet. Face your phone pointing into a corner so the background is only walls. Never film in the changerooms. Even if you think you are alone. Save the mirror selfie for the bedroom.
Body odour: Don’t be that guy in the gym everyone turns their nose up as you pass. Make sure you have a fresh, breathable t-shirt on and anti-perspirant deodorant.
Check out this article for tips on keeping fresh: The ultimate teenage guide to manscaping (head to toe)