Gym etiquette 101!

This week I was kindly asked to come on air to discuss gym etiquette on my local radio station WLR. The topic was centred around issues that are becoming more prominent in gyms as more and more people get into the gym and start to work on their health and fitness. I started working in gyms almost 5 years ago and have been training for over 10 years so I felt qualified to speak on such issues that appear to be more and more common in gyms over the last few years. These issues revolve heavily around self awareness, respect and basic hygiene. Hopefully this article can positively influence people to be a positive role model when it comes to following the rules and set an example for those who are newer to the gym scene.

The most basic of the three things to consider when it comes to attending a gym. Hygiene - this is rather simple. Make sure you are training in clean gym attire, wipe down equipment after use and bring a towel where necessary. Leave each item you interact with as you would like to find it if you were using it next. Nobody wants to be sitting in somebody's sweat! A quick wipe with some disinfectant and blue roll and using a towel will greatly improve the hygiene in your gym and set an example for people around you.

One of my pet peeves is next - putting away your weights after use. This has gotten worse over the years. I have witnessed people putting 200kg plus on a leg press and leaving it for the next person using it to remove. This has to be one of concerning behaviours at the moment - it creates barriers to new gym goers who may not have the strength to move the weight and as a result can impede them from using it. It also means anyone else looking to use it will have to put someone else’s weights away! The golden rule - If you can put the weight on the machine or barbell - you can take it off.

One of the more controversial issues that is plaguing gyms at the moment - the use of phones on machines and recording in the gym. A lot of this comes down to self awareness, common sense(not so common) and basic respect. If you are sitting on a piece of gym equipment scrolling through tiktok unaware of your surroundings as people stand around waiting to use the machine - this can come across quite disrespectful. The solution? Simply remember that you are sharing the gym with others - when you are not using the equipment on your break between sets - feel free to offer anyone waiting a turn during your rest period. While scrolling we often lose all concepts of time  - what felt like 2 minutes can easily be 10.

Following on from this, we have the discussion revolving around recording in the gym. Naturally - given my profession I will have some bias here. In my opinion there is a time and place for recording - recording your exercise for educational or personal reasons should not be an issue once you are the only one in the shot. If you feel there is someone in the background of your shot - I believe there is personal responsibility to ask for their consent and if necessary move the camera angle if needed. Respect the people around you, use your common sense and never use the ability to record gym footage as an opportunity to poke fun at somebody.

There is a place for everybody in the gym - while it may be frustrating seeing others disregard gym etiquette. I believe we all play a role in setting an example and making sure we do our bit when it comes to contributing to a welcoming and respectful environment where people are expected to raise their standards. If you see something you don’t agree with, escalate your concerns to management and if the user in question appears to be new to the environment there can often be no harm in letting them know what is good practice.

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Lastly, I would also like to clarify that I am not a registered dietician. All advice disclosed here is simply advisory based on my qualifications as a fitness professional and personal experience and knowledge gained working with individuals and helping them reach their goals. The advice given is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health. 

I hope someone out there found some of this information useful here, just some food for thought. For any questions in relation to this topic or training, nutrition, etc. or for coaching inquiries simply message me on my business page on instagram @coachedbycashel_ or by email - contact@coachedbycashel.com