Gym Etiquette - Are You Being Mindful of Others?

Here is another blog entry from our trainer, Todd Walbert.  Read about what he has to say regarding gym etiquette.

I wanted to talk a little about gym "dos" and "don'ts".  Since I have always worked out and spend so much time in gyms over the years, I notice problems that arise perhaps more than others.  Sometimes people don't realize they are the source of the "problem" and, on the other hand, many realize the do but they don't care.  Either way, maybe this blog will shed a little light on a few gym "don'ts".

CROWDING AROUND THE DUMBBELL RACK

First, crowding around the dumbbell rack is something you don't hear people complain about as much.  It's not as commonly voiced as a problem as other things but let me shed some light here.  If you have a person walk up to a rack of dumbbells, grab two 30-pound dumbbells and start to perform bicep curls, he/she is essentially blocking the 5's, 10's, 15's, 20's......unless he/she takes 5-10 steps back.  Performing an exercise immediately in front of such a high-traffic area is not necessary.  You are risking confrontation because typically the gym is full of type-A personalities.  No one wants to be called out in the middle of their set for blocking the 40-pound dumbbells, so most likely their will be words exchanged.  This problem is easily preventable.  If you are blocking the dumbbell rack, essentially it is the same as blocking 10 selectorized machines or using 10 flat benches.  A related problem to crowding the rack is performing 1-arm rows using the rack as support.  Why??  Is that the only thing around to put your arm/hand on??  I think not.

MISUSE OF THE SQUAT/POWER RACK

Second, I see people who misuse the squat rack or power rack.  The cage is only to be used for squats, whether it be front, back or Zercher squats.  There is nothing worse than waiting to use the rack for squats and having to watch someone perform bicep curls or deadlifts in the cage.  Why?  Can you not set the curl bar down on the ground?   Do you really need to be in the cage to flex and extend the elbow?  Unless you are doing "top half" deadlifts, the power rack is not necessary.  Utilizing the rack for deadlifts is unnecessary since it blocks the entrance/exit of the rack and can be distracting to the squatter since you are in such close proximity.  Find another area to workout and leave the rack for those performing squats.  Ask yourself:  do I need to be in a rack/cage to perform this lift safely?

CAMPING OUT ON EQUIPMENT

Third, if you are camping out on equipment, you may also be asking for trouble.   There are always a few who will consistently sit on or near a machine or cable tower as if to block it from being used by another member.  In doing so you are putting people on the spot where, if adamant enough, they will ask you to work in with you.  Gym patrons need to understand that training styles are varied and not everyone performs three straight sets without moving to the next exercise/machine.  Supersets or triple sets are more widely used now and justifiably so.  Waiting to work a muscle group again is not as productive as pairing 2 or 3 muscle groups and working back and forth.  Ultimately this type of training frees up a machine while you are "supersetting" your exercises.  Just because you have "idle" time during your workout doesn't mean others do also.  It's hard enough sometimes to find the time to get to the gym AND have the mindset to be productive let alone watching people with too much time on their hands clog up the workspace.

I chose these three things because they aren't commonly talked about like topics such as unracking your weights and cleaning equipment after you use it.  My next blog will be on trainer-client interaction.  How do you keep both people happy and positive while achieving results?  Stay tuned to find out!!