Rules for the Gym...

[Wally]

If you are new to working out or just unfamiliar with proper gym etiquette, this thread is for you. I will attempt to list behavior that are inappropriate/annoying to others who are trying to get a serious workout as well as general rules that all should abide by. If I miss anything (which I am sure I will) please feel free to add in your own.

• Put the dumbbells back when you are done and put them back it the right slots on the DB rack. I don't feel like going on a goddamned "treasure hunt" to find a 45 # dumbbell that you were using for god-knows-what in some other part of the gym.
  
  
• Bring a towel and wipe your nasty ass sweat off the benches and equipment after you are done. Seriously, this is just common courtesy people.
  
  
• Socialization – save it for later. Don’t stand/sit around on the equipment having social hour with your friends. The equipment is for work, not for relaxing. If you want to sit down and chit-chat with your friends, go to Applebee’s – not the gym. Your main goal at the gym should be to get the best workout you can in the shortest amount of time. Can you spend 3 hours in the gym lifting? Yes. Is that better than getting your workout done in 45 minutes? I seriously doubt it.
  
  
• Rack your weights when you are done. I don't care if you're benching 95# or 405#, I shouldn't have to unrack your plates to load up what I want to lift
  
  
• Women at the gym – leave them alone and let them get their workout in. They do not want to be hit on while they are wearing no makeup and covered in sweat. Likewise, you should be concentrating on getting an efficient workout completed rather than hitting on women who are not interested in you. If you want to get rejected, I’m sure you can get plenty of that at your local bar on a Friday or Saturday night.
  
  
• If you see someone wearing headphones at the gym, do not strike up conversation with them. I, like many other people I know, wear headphones at the gym specifically to avoid wasting time with idle chatter.
  
  
• It doesn’t matter how much weight you are lifting. Do not try to look cool by lifting more than you know you are capable of lifting. Benching 225 does you no good if your spotter is curling 100 of it. Everyone started somewhere and nobody is making fun of you for lifting a lighter weight than what they are lifting. If they are, they’re an immature asshole and not worthy of your concern.
  
  
• There are many ways to display your own personal style while still wearing appropriate gym attire. There is no need to rock your pink polo shirt with your collar popped while intently curling 5lb. dumbbells. Any attention you receive from women based on this action will likely be in the vein of "Hey, look at that douchebag who thinks he's in a J. Crew catalog". It should not take you longer to coordinate your "outfit" for the gym than it does to do your entire workout.
  
  
• dont pee in the shower. And there is no reason to stand around the locker room with your dong hanging out. Put some fucking pants on, wierdo.
  

[proteus_2k2]

If you are in the squat rack, you'd better be squatting. Curls in the squat rack are a big no-no!

[cyberbrain]

dont lay claim on a machine, walk away and then when someone else uses it get mad about it cause you weren't done.

[Mav]

clean your sweat off the bench. dont just wipe it, sanitize it.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Maverick

use the "code" brackets... or maybe just split it into two posts.

also be sure to use the list brackets:

• step 1
• step 2
• step 3

Not helping. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I'm getting the list up there piece by pice

[bsprogs]

If the gym offers a towel service, return the towels to the proper container.

If you accidently walk out with a towel, take it back in or bring it back the next time and return it.

Dont leave your trash on the workout floor. Place them in the trash cans around the building.

You dont need to Grunt or yell when lifting. Breathing is ok, screaming is not.

[bsprogs]

Originally Posted by dirtywally

Along with this - there is no reason to stand around the locker room with your dong hanging out. Put some fucking pants on, wierdo.

Another thing is dont piss on the Sauna Rocks. Its a pain in the ass to get that shit actually CLEAN

[jhoffner]

I gotta disagree with the curling in the squat rack problem. I know some people like to do it to include their stabilizer muscles involved in curling more. I've done it before when doing "21's" if you know what those are, and I find it much more effective than using a small bar(as far as getting the majority of the bicep a good workout more effectively)

we can...agree to disagree? haha

[Wally]

Originally Posted by jhoffner

I gotta disagree with the curling in the squat rack problem. I know some people like to do it to include their stabilizer muscles involved in curling more. I've done it before when doing "21's" if you know what those are, and I find it much more effective than using a small bar(as far as getting the majority of the bicep a good workout more effectively)

we can...agree to disagree? haha

No. Don't use the squat rack for curls. Use some other space in the gym - not where other people need to be to use equipment as it was intended to be used.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by bsprogs

Another thing is dont piss on the Sauna Rocks. Its a pain in the ass to get that shit actually CLEAN

I take it you work in a gym?

[Shelly]

I agree with so much that his been posted here. I hate seeing someone walking away from equipment without cleaning it or racking their weights... be considerate!

Also guys... not all girls at the gym are there hoping you'll approach them, some actually like working out... and if you do approach them... please please PLEASE do not do it in this manner...... "Psssssssssst!" Like you've sprung a leak or something.....and don't ask her for her phone number unless she seems to be genuinely into your conversation. If you get the sense she's repelled by you and your methods of game... cut your losses and walk away to save the embarrassment for you both.

[bsprogs]

Originally Posted by dirtywally

I take it you work in a gym?

I did for 3 years.

I'm working on opening up my own. I've got 2 investors and I'm working on developing the systems that club will be using to operate. And I'm not doing this like most small gym owers do, I've got my team started because I dont want to stay a little club forever. I plan on expanding, which is the reason for my real estate broker
2 of the people helping me have opened and operated multiple clubs, but on a small town scale.
I know the basics of starting and getting a club operational. I just opened one in my city last year with my old boss (who is now a complete douche). I dont expect to get anything going this year, but thats why I'm spending the year or so planning everything before taking action.

[hawk]

Originally Posted by dirtywally

No. Don't use the squat rack for curls. Use some other space in the gym - not where other people need to be to use equipment as it was intended to be used.

There's no reason to be curling in the squat rack.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Shelly

I agree with so much that his been posted here. I hate seeing someone walking away from equipment without cleaning it or racking their weights... be considerate!

Also guys... not all girls at the gym are there hoping you'll approach them, some actually like working out... and if you do approach them... please please PLEASE do not do it in this manner...... "Psssssssssst!" Like you've sprung a leak or something.....and don't ask her for her phone number unless she seems to be genuinely into your conversation. If you get the sense she's repelled by you and your methods of game... cut your losses and walk away to save the embarrassment for you both.

Originally Posted by dirtywally

Women at the gym – leave them alone and let them get their workout in. They do not want to be hit on while they are wearing no makeup and covered in sweat. Likewise, you should be concentrating on getting an efficient workout completed rather than hitting on women who are not interested in you. If you want to get rejected, I’m sure you can get plenty of that at your local bar on a Friday or Saturday night.

[Quest]

Put the keepers on the ends of your bar......so I don't have to pull it off of your neck again.

[Shelly]

Originally Posted by dirtywally

Women at the gym – leave them alone and let them get their workout in. They do not want to be hit on while they are wearing no makeup and covered in sweat. Likewise, you should be concentrating on getting an efficient workout completed rather than hitting on women who are not interested in you. If you want to get rejected, I’m sure you can get plenty of that at your local bar on a Friday or Saturday night.

If you see someone wearing headphones at the gym, do not strike up conversation with them. I, like many other people I know, wear headphones at the gym specifically to avoid wasting time with idle chatter.

How did I miss this one? You had it covered completely...sorry!

I am so thankful for my ipod...it saves me from having to "chat" when i really don't want to. I might go in wearing the makeup I put on earlier that morning, but after some cardio.. there isn't much left and I unfortunately sweat like a man and seriously don't feel pretty.. if I could go invisible while I'm there... I'd LOVE it!

[jhoffner]

Originally Posted by dirtywally

No. Don't use the squat rack for curls. Use some other space in the gym - not where other people need to be to use equipment as it was intended to be used.

ok, my mistake, use the squat bar outside of the squat rack

[Amphitheater]

I hate it when people walk in front of me when on working out. Like when im on a machine or curling.
I also hate running next to people