CardsFan Sounds Off

I read a blurb in my Men’s Fitness magazine recently and was thinking about it today at the gym.  I guess they did an online poll and asked readers what they felt was the biggest offense committed by other gym goers in the etiquette department.  The resounding number one offense listed in the poll was filling up your water bottle at the water fountain out in the gym floor.  What?  Are you kidding me?  I bring a 35 ounce water bottle with me to the gym and I fill it up always once and sometimes twice during a workout.  Honestly, if you go to the gym you should always bring with you a clean towel to wipe up your sweat as well as a water bottle.  I think it’s rather toolish (as in being a tool) to not bring a water bottle to the gym.  I sip water after every set in the gym.  Hell, I’m losing fluids there like mad and need to.  So, I think it’s ridiculous to have to run to the water fountain to get a drink of water after half of your sets.  So, if you don’t do this already get a water bottle and bring it to the gym with you.  Stop being a tool and going there without one. 

 Now, the worst things to do in the gym etiquette-wise in my opinion?  Well, using the dumbbells while practically standing right on top of the dumbbell rack.  Take your dumbbells a few feet away behind the benches and use them.  Don’t block the rack and the benches and get in the way of everyone else in the dumbbell area.  I mean it’s exercise.  Pick the damn things up and carry them 12 feet out of the way.  And don’t tell me it’s acceptable to do it with heavy dumbbells.  I do stiff legged deadlifts with dumbbells on occassion with 100+ lbs dumbbells and I can carry them away from the benches and do my sets.  Just consider moving them extra work.  Hell, you’re the gym don’t shy away from working.  Don’t be a wuss. 

Another thing I consider bad etiquette is hogging the equipment.  If you’re resting someone can use the bench.  Allow them to work in if they ask you.  Especially, if you are sitting on it just resting.  Now, if you are moving quickly and trying to limit rest then it shouldn’t be a problem because you’ll be off the equipment quickly and you’ll be pretty much using it non-stop while you’re on it.  I’m talking about those gym goers that just sit there and rest on a piece of equipment for 3 minutes.  Let someone work in.  Don’t be a tool. 

 And last but not least is socializing in the gym.  Cruising along on the treadmill or elliptical while talking on your cell phone?  C’mon…how can you talk when you’re exerting yourself?  I know it’s because you’re not exerting yourself.  So, you know what?  Get off the damn machine and let someone else actually use it.  Or hanging out there with your buddies or girlfriends lolligagging through a shoulder workout over by the dumbbell rack?  Just leave the gym and go for drinks with them.  Some people are actually there to work and don’t want to hear your chatter nor do they want to see you in the way just trying to look cute and/or cool.  I’m all for enjoying your workout and I’m all for being friendly with people you know when you’re at the gym but it doesn’t need to be a long drawn out discussion where by the end of it your sweat (if there was any in the first place!) has dried up. 

This rant is done.  Keep it real. 

Peace, love, and hair grease,

Ed C.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 9:12 pm and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.