How Not To Be The Worst Person At The Gym

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Though I don't consider myself a gym rat, after all I would gladly skip a run for literally any alternate activity, I pay Lakeview Athletic Club a monthly fee to be a "member" so therefore I know a thing or two about gyms. From fitness classes to solo workouts, I've quickly developed pet peeves about gym etiquette. So before you head out to your workout, read up on these basic rules to ensure that you aren't the worst person at the gym. 

People aren’t listening to music as a way to play hard to get. They are listening to music because they would like to listen to music. Therefore, headphones should be a failproof way to note that a person is not into chatting. Don’t be that person who tries to strike up a conversation with the bro blasting Odesza in the weight room. Respect the headphones.

Unless you are standing by to dial into a radio station to win a one night stand with Justin Bieber, there is no need to have your phone by your side while at the gym. Of course using apps to track your workout  or listen to music is fine, however taking your 30 minutes on a bike to call your best friend to debrief her latest Tinder date is not cool. You probably won’t actually work as hard as you should and honestly everyone will hate you – so let’s just save the cellphone time for later.

6 PM on a weeknight can be pure hell when it comes to the gym. A search for a free machine is like searching for non-permit street parking in Chicago – nearly impossible. You’ll spend a significant amount of time walking around waiting for signs of a workout ending so you can pounce. Though everyone gets how in demand machines are, at least let the person finish their cool off and actually get off the machine before you claim your territory.

Even though some dance classes may look like a free performance, don’t be that person who sits outside of a workout class watching. People are working out not entertaining. Not only will you look like a creep, people might hold back out of fear of embarrassing themselves and honestly what’s the point of a workout class if it’s not to embarrass yourself?

Locker Room Strip-Tease

Though I’m all for being comfortable in your skin and just prancing around nude as a proclamation of your confidence and self-esteem, remember that not everyone is as open about it as you might be. So though you don’t have to be a prude by changing under a towel middle school beach day style, don’t walk around the locker room and engage others fully naked. You  can be the most interesting person in the world and yet no one will be able to concentrate on anything but your sweaty goods.

Of course, you have to rest between sets or just to catch your breath to confirm that you aren’t in fact dying. However, just sitting on a machine fixing your hair or scrolling through your Instagram feed (again…phones, get it together guys!) is taking up space that others could be using. You don’t have to rush your workout to let others have your spot but if you aren’t working out, perhaps head to the lobby to finish your #MorningWorkout Insta post.

Though your latest Pinterest workout plan might require three different sizes of dumbells, a resistance band, a medicine ball and a stability ball, that doesn’t mean that you need to collect and hoard all of your supplies at once. Be considerate of others and only use what you immediately need and then switch them out so others can use them. It’ll be easier on you when you put everything away and you’ll avoid sideeye from other gym goers.

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As someone who has had the same dirty dishes in her sink for a solid week, I get that cleaning is not fun. However, don’t be that person who leaves everything out when you’re done using it. Despite what your cell phone case may say, the gym is not your second home so put your stuff away and wipe everything down. It’s not only respectful to others but prevents the spread of infectious diseases which is always a plus! Public Health FTW!

Happy Workout!

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