Gym Etiquette/Pet Peeves

So there are the obvious gym etiquette things like wiping down your machine when you are done.    But there are so many other little things I wonder about.  Like, if someone is using a cardio machine for 40min at peak hours when the sign says you are only supposed to use it for 30min during peak hours, how rude is it to ask them to respect the rule?  Or, conversely, if there is an empty machine next to you during peak hours, is it socially acceptable to stay on longer?

I also have some questions about the free weight room that I have recently started using.  For example, if I use the 12.5 and 15lb weights for most things, can I take both to my bench, or should I use them one at a time? 

Or yesterday, I wanted to use the cable machine.  Someone had left their water bottle and gloves by it, but they were no where to be seen.  So I set it up and used it for about 2min.  The owner of the gloves/water bottle came back and seemed really annoyed with me.  I just moved his gloves maybe 2 feet out of my way while he was gone, was this a faux pas?

What are the things other people do at the gym that bother you the most? 

Original Post by bookworm12_2003:

So there are the obvious gym etiquette things like wiping down your machine when you are done.    But there are so many other little things I wonder about.  Like, if someone is using a cardio machine for 40min at peak hours when the sign says you are only supposed to use it for 30min during peak hours, how rude is it to ask them to respect the rule? I don't view this as rude, although I probably wouldn't have the guts to do it because I'm so passive. Keep in mind that some people just aren't very nice, and may find it rude, but you pay the same amount to use the gym as they do so there is no reason why they should get to break the rules.  Or, conversely, if there is an empty machine next to you during peak hours, is it socially acceptable to stay on longer? In this case I think it would be ok to stay on. If no one is waiting to use one and there are open machines then you aren't preventing anyone from getting on with their workout. 

I also have some questions about the free weight room that I have recently started using.  For example, if I use the 12.5 and 15lb weights for most things, can I take both to my bench, or should I use them one at a time? This is also case by case depending on how busy the gym is. There are usually multiple sets of each weight, so if you take both sets for your workouts and there are still others to use, I don't see the harm.

Or yesterday, I wanted to use the cable machine.  Someone had left their water bottle and gloves by it, but they were no where to be seen.  So I set it up and used it for about 2min.  The owner of the gloves/water bottle came back and seemed really annoyed with me.  I just moved his gloves maybe 2 feet out of my way while he was gone, was this a faux pas? This person sounds rude. I really don't like when people leave their things by a machine as if to claim it. I think it was just fine to move his things over a bit and use the machine. It isn't his! If you do see the person, just ask them if you can work in with them so that both of you can get your workout done. 

What are the things other people do at the gym that bother you the most? I think you about named them all for me! The only other thing that bothers me is people that go to they gym and then kind of wander around talking to their friends and such. There is one guy in particular at my gym that does this. He works out, but attempts to start conversation with anyone nearby, and usually while that person is trying to work out. 

And then of course there are the young girls that come in all dolled up in the their cute workout gear and lift little 5 pound weights and try to get the boys attention. They just look foolish. 

When people stare down at me while I'm working out really hard and sweating like a pig. What they do is just sit/stand there and look at you for a while. I also hate people who hogs the bench press then wonder off, and when I try using the bench they would come back all pissed off. I hate it when I'm running on the treadmill and the person next to me would constantly check on how many miles I have completed and what mph am I running at. I also hate it when two friends are running together and I'm the one who's in between so I have to put up with them yelling back and forth because the machines are loud when everyone is running. Most of all I hate it when people are taking up machines when they are not really working out but rather just fooling around and hanging out at the gym. Luckily for me, I now go to the gym when it's dead :)

I usually go into the Fitness Center, do my thing and try not to pay too much attention to people around me. That being said, I can't stand when someone intentionally gets on the elliptical right next to me when there are many other identical machines open only to constantly look over at my stats. Gosh that irks me - worry about yourself! I also find it semi-annoying to see the same people come it the same time every day get on the same machine do an extremely low resistance workout, never break a sweat and then look disgusted at me who is all sweaty. And please tell me how you can possibly workout in jeans and sandals... for real! One more pet peeve - there are 2 of every weight machine at my facility. Why must you stand beside me doing the leg press with arms crossed and a look of impatience when there is another one open 20 feet behind you. Arrrr.

Original Post by mokeskalo:

I usually go into the Fitness Center, do my thing and try not to pay too much attention to people around me. That being said, I can't stand when someone intentionally gets on the elliptical right next to me when there are many other identical machines open only to constantly look over at my stats.

 ^This bugs me too. I know that my personal space requirements can't be fulfilled at peak times, which might be why I'm in the gym on a sunday afternoon : )

How about the person who is sitting on a machine but not using it (usually chatting with their friend). I've asked them to move, and they usually find it rude, but I don't care.

People who get extra huffy and annoyed when they're waiting on my machine and I take a 30-60 sec rest in between my two sets. No, I will not get off the machine between sets.

And while I'm not at all bothered by someone asking my how to use one machine (I mean, the cable machine and chin-up/dip assistor both look intimidating), I get quite irked when they continue asking as though I should teach them how to use the whole gym. People there get paid to do that.

Women who won't change in the locker room. Actually, if you're fast, feel free to change in the bathroom/shower. But don't take 20 minutes at peak hours to get into your flashy workout gear. Or at least pee while you're in there, to make it more justifiable : )

Oh ya the looking over at my screen thing bothers me too.  But, I must admit, when I first started I was guilty of this too.  I didnt fully realize how annoying it is.  

Oh and my new pet peeve are the gym bunnies who give me funny looks when I walk into the free weight section.  I was worried that the men would give me dirty looks, turns out it is some of the women.  You can see the free weight section from the weight machine section, and they all sit on the machines and look at me funny. 

Maybe things are different up here in Canada, but I don't see any of this stuff happening in my gym, and it's a big gym.   Just about everyone I see just shows up does their thing and minds their own business, unless they are there with buddies or something then they are a little more social.  Yesterday I went to use a barbell for a deadlift that was already set up with a weight close to what I use, so I started peeling a couple of small ones off and a dude comes up behind me and says, "Hey man, sorry but my buddies and I were just coming back here to finish our set, but if you want to jump in go ahead, but if you don't mind put the weights back when you are done".   Canadians are awfully polite most of the time...lol.   I apologized and just found another barbell and did my thing. 

We don't have signs limiting our time on cardio machines, and sometimes at peak ours every treadmill is full.  Either don't go at peak hours or wait until one is empty.  You rarely see anyone doing more than 20-30 minutes so a machine is empty every minute or two.  If a guy wants to work out for 40 minutes I don't care, he paid the same dues as me and can use the equipment as much as he wants.  If there isn't machines available my beef is with the gym for overselling memberships or not having enough equipment, not my fellow exercisers.

Honestly it's hard for me to imagine people doing some of the stuff you guys mention...lol...

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don't re-rack weights or if they do, they mix them together instead of grouping the weights by the right poundages. For example, someone will put a 45, 35, and a 25 pound plate back all on the same rack instead of putting each weight plate back on the right one. I also hate it when people don't return dumbbells to the right spot as well.

Biggest one for me are the people who do bicep curls in the squat rack!

I'm not a big fan of it when someone asks to work in on my sets.  OMG, wait a couple of minutes and it's all yours.

I'm not a big fan of it when someone tries to give me advice on what I'm doing or tell me that I'm doing it wrong.  It seems that everyone has an opinion on 'how to work out'

Another thing that annoys me is when I'm doing a really long treadmill run and someone hops on runs as fast as they can for 3 minutes and then gets off.  I know I should just be happy for them that they're running at all and that each person does their own workout, but it still annoys me anyway.

Gym bunnies. Full stop.

I work at a University, so the gym I frequent, is generally full of 18 year old darhlings.

Their usual drill:

Waltz in.

Stand in front of weights mirror, adjust pony tail, pout.

Get on the elliptical for 10 minutes.

Prop a girly magazine up on the console.

Take a gnats worth sip of water from ridiculously expensive mineral water bottle.

Half heartedly move to and fro on elliptical whilst pouting at themselves in the window reflection, flicking pages of magazine, adjusting their pony tail/ill fitting tiny tank top.

Then after 10 minute (at a push) they get off, look around for hot male 18 year olds (their habitat and occupation is, generally sat doing nothing or texting whilst sat on the weights machines).

And me, well I'm dripping in sweat in a baggy faded t shirt from 1986, red as beetroot in the face and about to die on the treadmill.

Jealous. Never

My gym also has a swimming pool, so there usually are some people who are just sitting around in the water, watching the people in the gym as if they were putting on a show or something. Sometimes they will even make sarcastic comments or hit on me. I find it sad and funny at the same time.

Also, I have NEVER seen a girl in the locker shower without their bathing suit on, even at peak times. And most look at me funny when I take all my clothes off. What`s up with that? We`re all women and share the same anatomy last time I checked. I mean, it`s not like I prance around and do the shin splits or something, just take my clothes off in front of the shower, get in, get out, towel dry, put my clothes back on. Is that the ultimate faux pas?

Ily, you are ruining all my women's locker room fantasies with your post!!  I had imagined the women all ran around naked in the change room, even when they didn't have to and that you all helped each other towel off in hard to reach places as a friendly gesture.    Tell me that is really the case!!!...lol...don't ruin it for me!!!!...

Cell phones in locker rooms.

Original Post by floggingsully:

Cell phones in locker rooms.

How about when people talk on their cell phones while working out on a treadmill or eliptical? I don't know why, but that drives me nuts!! How can you get a good workout in while you are chatting away on the phone?

On the other hand, when I used my apartment complex gym, I got annoyed by the people who jacked up the heat - sweating does not burn extra calories!

If there was a person wearing a sweatsuit, or worse, a plastic suit, I could guess who the culprit was. What annoyed me was when I didn't realize it til I was into my workout and didn't want to stop to run and change the thermostat (which had a note saying what temp it should remain at).

Original Post by johnnypenso:

Ily, you are ruining all my women's locker room fantasies with your post!!  I had imagined the women all ran around naked in the change room, even when they didn't have to and that you all helped each other towel off in hard to reach places as a friendly gesture.    Tell me that is really the case!!!...lol...don't ruin it for me!!!!...

 We also shower together.  Usually 4 or 5 in a a shower stall together, lathering ourselves up.

There! That make you feel better? ;) ;)

My gym has tons of spray bottles and clean clothes, enough for everyone to have their own, and pretty much everyone takes one and carries it around with them to where ever they are working out. I can't stand it when I have my spray bottle/cloth next to my bench or whatever, and somone comes and swipes it to wipe down their gross, sweaty machine and then return it to me, when they are just too lazy to walk the extra 5 feet to get their own.

Using the squat rack for anything other than squats...my gym only has one squat rack

Deadlift platform is for doing deadlifts...not so personal trainers can stand with their clients and do their workouts in front of mirrors...

Using the bench right in front of the 120 pound dumbells and only lifting 10 pounds....I have to drag the 120 pounders across the room to another open bench

Acting like a crybaby when I ask to share a piece of equipment... you are not using it non-stop...

Locking up multiple pieces of equipment and telling people that you are using all of them and they cannot use them

Bosu balls ..unstable platforms... and other pieces of useless equipment just stacked up on or near the machines with the heaviest weights because personal trainers and their clients do not use the heavy weight so they figure they can leave that stupid crap stacked on it

and like vyperman I cannot STAND it when people will stack the 5 pound and 10 pound plates covering the 45 plates...  I have to unstack all those little weights and re-stack them in the right spot so I can reach the 45... 

Wow..I really have become a gym snob...however, this was so liberating

I also work out at my school gym.

People who use benches, Bosu balls and exercise balls to sit and chat with their buddies for 20 minutes. Doubly annoying when these 'people' are actually student workers who are supposed to be manning the desk or doing maintenance.

People who get in the circuit room and then use the machine with minimum weight to do a gazillion reps. Yep, great workout.

The chicks who only do a gazillion crunches and then a gazillion leg exercises (see above).

The chick who was jogging in flip flops. I kid you not.

People who get in the circuit room and then get annoyed when I ask them to stop doing sets. There is a huge free weight and machine room for you, people. There are signs in the circuit room explaining just that. If you can't read then maybe you should not be in college.

And yes, the people who hog cardio machines and then use them to walk reeeeal slow and yak on their cell phone with their friends.

Don't get me started on the pretty boys who use the machines and then don't wipe because hey, they are special. Yes, they are special, just not the way they think...