This article is back by popular demand: Since it first appeared in our July/August 2005 issue, it has generated notes of thanks, requests for reprints — and a steady stream of newly unveiled faux pas and pet peeves. Among the most common complaints: mobile phones left switched on inside lockers, audible swearing, excessive locker-room exposure, sloppy swim-lane technique and unsolicited advice. Since etiquette missteps take on special significance (and annoyance) in the health-club environment, we thought it would be worthwhile to run this article a second time. We’ve also posted it here to make it easier to forward to your fellow gym-goers. To share your own gym-etiquette pointers, seek advice, or even just vent a little, visit our Health Club Etiquette forum. — Eds.
When we recently asked readers of Experience Life to share their health-club-etiquette complaints, we thought we’d get a few comments about discarded locker-room towels. But, obviously, we struck a deeper nerve: The letters and emails poured in.
It seems everyone has a favorite pet peeve: sweat-soaked weight benches, treadmill hogs, cell phones that break into techno versions of “La Bamba” in yoga class, smelly people. Etiquette offenders are everywhere.
While you might think most adults should know better, in our haste we often toss basic manners aside. “In today’s society we’re asked to do more with less time,” says Colleen Rickenbacher, a Dallas etiquette expert and author of Be On Your Best Business Behavior (Brown Books, 2004). “So when people get to the gym with their limited time, they go in with a get-out-of-my-way attitude.”
Society has also become more informal, sometimes making it tough to decide when etiquette rules apply, notes Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute and author of Essential Manners for Men (HarperResource, 2003). “People need to be more conscious about what they’re doing,” he says.
That goes for all of us. While you undoubtedly have your own gym-based pet peeves, you may not be aware of everyone else’s or realize when you’re straying into foul territory.
It’s quite possible, in fact, that unbeknownst to you, some of your regular behaviors are on someone else’s “can’t stand” list. That’s why we’ve asked the etiquette experts to lay down the health-club law – from the weight room to the locker room and places in between.
Around the Gym
Every club has implicit etiquette guidelines. Some clubs even post them. Still, whether or not those commonsense rules are posted, certain people tend to disregard them. That’s why it’s up to you to set an example. You might start with the following …
Hang up and sweat. Ask health-club members to name their biggest etiquette complaint and the cell phone wins, hands down. “It’s rude to talk on the phone at full volume while others are working out around you,” says fitness enthusiast Karen Binder, of Scottsdale, Ariz. “It’s even worse when someone’s having a long conversation while sitting on a machine and not using it.” And if you’re chatting while exercising, you’re obviously not tuned in to your workout.
Cell phones became a hot topic last year when some ill-mannered shutterbugs used their camera phones in the locker room. As a result, the International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association issued a recommendation that its members prohibit cell phones and camera phones in locker rooms. Check with your club about specific restrictions.
If you must carry a cell phone, keep it on vibrate – it’s less likely to be disturbing if it goes off during your yoga session or some other class. If you must take a call, step far away from the workout area or class so you won’t disturb others. And keep your voice down. While stretching out, Laura O’Daniel of Fort Wayne, Ind., was once forced to listen to a nearby guy tell his buddy about his recent divorce and his game plan to get back into dating. Blech.
Reduce fumes. Your sweat might smell at times, but if you arrive somewhat clean, you’ll keep your workout aroma to a minimum. Make sure to apply deodorant beforehand, and don’t wear clothes that have simmered in your gym bag or car since your last workout. And remember that you’re at a health club, not a cocktail party, so lay off the perfume and cologne. Some people are sensitive to fragrances, and your odiferous presence could send them home with a headache.
Dress appropriately. Clothing is designed to keep you cool and to wick sweat away, not expose your assets (even if you have been working hard to attain them). There’s nothing wrong with dressing in a way that gives you confidence and makes you feel good about yourself. But there’s also no need to put on a show. “By wearing too little, you can distract some people and intimidate others,” says Rickenbacher. Follow your club’s dress-code guidelines and make sure your clothing provides appropriate cover for your activity. Men, wear shirts that cover both chest and stomach (no half shirts); women, avoid skimpy shorts and tops not designed for stretching and bending.
No pickups. Trying to score a date at the gym is a big no-no in Post’s book. Of course, the gym can be a great place to meet people who share your fitness interests, but most people are there to sweat, not flirt. See someone interesting? Wait until that person is at the juice bar or walking out the door to strike up a conversation.
Colds are not cool. Exercise probably won’t hurt your cold if your symptoms are above the neck, but you can easily spread your germs and do some real damage to others. Do everyone a favor and avoid the club when you’re infectious.
In the Studio
Group fitness classes tend to be a hot spot for rudeness. Not only are people vying for space and equipment, but there’s also a competitive vibe that tends to ignite bad manners. Avoid problems by steering clear of the following:
Make room. Maren Stewart’s No. 1 pet peeve is when people stake a territory in class. “They act as if a certain portion of the floor is reserved for them and they shoot you dirty looks if you stand there,” says the Fort Wayne, Ind., resident. While it’s natural to want to use a particular space or machine, don’t get upset if someone else gets there first. Just find another location and enjoy the change of scenery. Also, if space is limited, don’t lug all of your personal belongings into the studio; store them in a locker.
Show up on time. You might not think anything about walking in five or 10 minutes late, but if you have to scramble to the front or make other students move their equipment for you, you’re a disruption, says Ellen Barrett, owner of the Studio @ Buff Girl Fitness in New Haven, Conn. Her rule: If you can slip in unseen, no problem. But if you’re going to create a stir, skip the class and opt for a different workout.
Respect your instructor. Do you have to leave class 10 minutes early? Let the instructor know beforehand so she doesn’t worry that something’s wrong with you (or her).
Follow the leader. It’s one thing to modify certain moves to suit your fitness level or avoid exacerbating an injury. It’s an entirely different thing when the class has moved on to pushups and you’re doing your hundredth crunch. “The energy of the group gets severed when you veer so far from what the instructor’s doing,” Barrett says. There’s nothing wrong with trying out a tougher-than-usual class to challenge yourself, and nothing wrong with taking an easier-than-usual class because you like it and it fits with your schedule. But it’s best to avoid any group class where you’re tempted to mostly do your own thing.
In the Locker Room
If there’s one area that inspires the most “yuck” reactions, it’s the locker room. From overexposed flesh to dirty towels littering the floor, the locker room is a breeding ground for awkward encounters.
Naked truth. You may be proud of your rock-hard glutes, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to see them. Wrap a towel around yourself, even if the shower is just steps from your locker. And please, no naked sitting. Drape a towel over a bench (and yourself) before taking a seat.
Pick up after yourself. Even the best round-the-clock cleaning staff will have trouble keeping up with a thousand determined mess makers, so out of courtesy to your fellow club members, throw away used paper towels and tissues. Before you toss your towel in the laundry bin, use it to wipe any puddles out of the bottom of your locker. Strive to make the areas you’ve used as clean as when you arrived. (This goes for the parking lot, too: Bottles, cans and paper cups should never end up on the ground.)
Don’t set up shop. Space is usually limited, so refrain from setting up camp on an entire bench or counter. Use only the space you need, take care of your business, clean up and then move on out.
In the Cardio/Strength Room
Cardio centers and strength-training areas are among the most popular in the gym, which means more opportunities for etiquette faux pas. Reduce your risk of offending your neighbors with the following strategies.
Leave no trace. “Touching other people’s excretions is gross,” Post says. So get a towel and wipe down that bench, cardio machine, stretching mat, dumbbell or whatever you’ve just used. Most clubs provide spray and towels near workout areas. If yours doesn’t, insist that it does – or bring your own little sweat rag along for the ride.
Don’t mark your territory. If you’re not using a machine, don’t leave your towel, water bottle or headphones in hopes of saving it. You might have walked away for only a few minutes, but for people watching the clock, that’s an eternity.
Don’t be a hog. Some clubs have policies about how long you can stay on certain cardio machines, especially when the club is crowded. If you’re allotted only 30 minutes and people are waiting, honor that limit. If you’re using a strength-training machine that somebody else wants to use, ask if he or she wants to “work in” and alternate sets.
Chill the chatter. When Dawn Talbot lifts weights at her gym in New Orleans, she finds people who insist on making small talk a regular and unwelcome interruption. “Unfortunately, the only way I’ve discovered to end the conversation is to ignore the person,” she says. “I don’t like to be rude, but I don’t have three hours to do an hour’s worth of weightlifting.”
Respect people’s time and work ethic. If you see a friend you want to catch up with, give a quick hello and arrange to meet after your workout. And if you and a pal do decide to gab, make sure your conversation isn’t disturbing other people’s peace. That goes double for cell-phone conversations. There’s nothing more distracting than listening to an hour of “uh huhs” and “so then she saids.”
Rerack the weights. How many times have you headed to the weight stack only to find your dumbbell missing? Or maybe you have to remove extra weight from a piece of equipment before you can use it. That’s not only frustrating, it wastes time. Be courteous and return weights to their proper places, reset weight machines to a low setting and empty the bench-press bar when you’re finished. After all, it’s just one more curl to put the weight away. Oh, and please don’t drop bars and free-weights – the noise is alarming to others and it damages the equipment.
Give up the grunting and spitting. Trying to win extra attention by showing off how much you can lift? Do it by flexing your muscles, not your vocal cords. Breathe, exhale, do what you must. But spare your fellow gym-goers any unnecessary drama.
By observing these simple guidelines and by being aware of the sensitivities of your fellow gym-goers, you can make the health-club experience more pleasant for everyone. Of course, there will always be people who bend the rules of behavior and violate club etiquette. But if you polish your own good manners, the next time there’s a breach of etiquette at your club, you can be sure that fingers won’t be pointing at you.
Freelance journalist Karen Asp is the fitness columnist for Allure and writes frequently about health, fitness and active travel for Fitness, Men's Fitness, Prevention, Real Simple, Self, Woman's Day and Women's Health.
Yoga – please don’t snore. I know it’s hard sometimes, but if you’re feeling really tired, yoga class isn’t where you want to fall asleep. Audible breathing in unison is fine. But a loud, “Sna-SNARK!” when you’re relaxed, and let go of thoughts… The last time it happened, I nearly jumped out of my skin I was so startled. And what’s the etiquette? Do you poke the person & wake them up or what?
I’ve got two big pet peeves: guys using the hair dryer to dry hair that ISN’T on the top of their head and towels being left in the shower. Both of these are just simply disgusting.
Also, as a note to those bothered by nudity: it’s a LOCKER ROOM people! If you don’t like it, either don’t look or don’t go there. I try to keep myself as appropriately covered up as the next guy, but I’m also not at all threatened by those who don’t worry about it as much.
WHY can’t people put the weights back after they r done with the machines like the leg press!!!!!There’s is nothing more annoying then having to take off 8 45 pound weights before i can put mine on. It says : Please replace weights back when you are done” Can’t muscle heads read????
And people need to quit talking in the group classes. Obviously you’re not working hard enough….
and the steam sauna.. SHUT UP we’re ther to relax not to listen to your jabber!!!
Towel hogs need to learn where to put their used towels. On the floor is not the place for your stinky used towels. The staff is not there to pick up after you like mama…. show some common courtesy and put the towels in the bins when done.
Also do you really have to dry off nude in front of the mirror? Try drying off in the shower and put on some underwear. Covering your crack, twigs and berries is pro. Drying your privates with the blow dryer in front of the mirror is lame.
I recently joined Lifetime and think it is a wonderful facility. I really haven’t had much time to acquire any peeves except the woman’s locker room and X rated images. I understand we are women and our bodies are “works of art” but is it really necessary to walk around applying lotion, drying hair, even bending down to pick something up completely naked and for everyone to see? I try to look the other way but another stark naked woman will likely be in my vision line as well. Maybe this is normal and I am strange but people sitting on a bench, completely naked and talking on the phone as if they were the only one in the locker room seems a bit rude and unsettling for the other members…..
My main peeve is folks not putting their weights up. I do a lot of barbell exercises and it’s frustrating to have to unrack 200 lbs, adjust the bar height, and then load it up fresh with appropriate weight for me. I always unload and wipe down the bar after I’m done.
Yes loud people having a conversation either on the phone or in person are annoying but nowhere near as much as a trainer with a group class of three people screaming their fool heads off! Why should everyone nearby have to listen to that nonsense just so three can feel challenged or inspired?
The other noise related issue I have is the never ending series of announcements. I understand the club needs to communicate with members and a PA system is the most logical way, but lately it seems that most of the announcements are for employees. How about using some two-way radios like most every other business does?
The other thing that annoys me is someone who is bouncing back and forth between two machines that has the gall to say so when you attempt to use the one they are not currently on. Use one machine at a time or go to the club at 3am when you don’t have to be considerate of other members!
First, please understand that I am a mother and I love kids and think it’s great that families are being active at the gym together. However, also understand that kids have a higher pitch in their voices and even small squeals echo painfully in the shower area. I have often ended up talking a shower surrounded by the high volume of happy little kids that ruins the entire “cool down” after workout. Teach your children to keep their voices down in the shower areas. This needs to be told to the care providers in the child care area as well – please remind the kids of where they are so we can teach the next generation better manners.
Please leave your cell phone in the locker or in your vehicle, dont bring it into the work out areas, I have had interruption’s to my Polar devices numerous times when people next to me are texting or sending e-mail
My biggest annoyance is people of all ages not saying “excuse me” – especially employees of the club.
Its a gym people. Its full of sweat and smells. Its a community locker room, people get naked. As for kids seeing other people naked, they will in gym class anyway. my pet peeve is whiny club members.
Blocking machines by either sitting at them doing nothing but staring out into space, a large group of friends around a person using a machine talking to them (usually with vulgar language), and leaning/kneeling on a machine while texting and hanging out with friends. The offenders are usually teenagers. Fitness is important for all ages but maybe a section should be dedicated to teens if this sort of disruptive behavior occurs. I do not enjoy standing around waiting my turn to use a machine while kids are using it for social hour nor do I enjoy your posse standing around you while you work out or play around on a machine making it unpleasant for me to use the machine next to you.
Leaving hair in the shower is by far one of the most unsightly things and probably very unsanitary. It seems as if women use the shower, wash their hair and think nothing of cleaning their combs or hairbrushes and leaving a big disgusting glob of hair on the shower floor! This is so disgusting and irritating…there have been times I’ve had to use the shower equipped with handicapped devices just to get a clean shower! Perhaps putting up signs in the shower area to remind people they are not at home would be helpful!
my pet peeves….. women going naked into the steam room and people blocking the doorways by coming into a class before the class before is even out of the studio. I have to barge through, literally !!!! OR they come in and stick a mat on your stuff before you have time to get it together. I really wish instructors were more in control. they don’t seem to mind their students are being treated this way….
It would be nice if there was enough equipment in each room so during a yoga class while trying to relax and focus on stretching and breathing, people weren’t coming in to get or return equipment. It’s extremely frustrating!
OMG! I saw this girl in the women’s locker room this one time and it REALLY bothered me! She was sitting on the bench by the showers, with a towel underneath her. One foot up on the towel, SCRUBBING away at her nasty foot callus! After my shower, she was still sitting there, exfoliating the other foot! I could see all the dead skin flying off onto the towel and floor. Come’on, I use those towels to wipe my face! It was SO NASTY! Please, do your pedicure at home!
I don’t like when guys come to yoga class and take space at the end of the room. I might be wrong but I see guys looking at girls in compromising position I know we shouldn’t look at any body when doing yoga I couldn’t help it. I just thats disrespectful to all the ladies. I didn’t want to pass judgment but I notices lot of time. So please if you come to yoga do yoga .
I agree that over-exposing flesh is annoying. And these aren’t necessarily people who are in good shape. Why they want to stand there totally naked in front of everyone is beyond me. Please leave something to our imagination!
If the club has a “family changing room” please use that with your children. It makes me feel uncomfortable undressing in front of someone else’s children and I don’t know how good it is for the children, either, to be around strangers whipping off their clothes. I don’t think they need it…..
The steam room should be a relaxing environment but that cannot occur when members engage in conversation. The small space, combined with the steam make their voices incredibly LOUD and there is no polite way to ask them to stop.
I am appalled to see children, especially under the guidance of their mothers, leaving towels lying all over the floor. I have seen this on many occasions and if not collected before I leave, I do it for them. Why should the wonderful staff at LTF Ellisville have to pick up after these rude and inconsiderates….by that I mean the mothers. It teaches their kids to be disrespectful.
Stop hacking noises in the shower unless you have a medical condition.
Stop singing in the shower.
Stop slapping yourself in the shower.
PLEASE STOP slamming locker and changing room doors, it damages the ears and the lockers.
Don’t take a locker right next to a used locker except on a crowded day…then you have no choice.
I don’t have a problem with folks walking around 1/2 nude or completely nude. I would prefer they cover up but if someone is near me revealing all their unmentionables, I just look the other way-easy solution. I wish I could be more comfortable with my body like they are.
TO THE FOLKS WHO CLEAN & MAINTAIN THE LOCKER ROOMS: YOU ARE AWESOME, FRIENDLY & HARD WORKING. THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF US…SINCERELY. ITS NOT AN EASY JOB!
Please cover up when standing in front of the mirror. Applying makeup and drying hair with exposed breasts is really uncomfortable for other members. Especially for children. Same goes for the men; from what I hear from my husband the men’s locker room can become quite a show at times. Put your clothes on and then take care of your business at the mirror.
What peeves me off is when people save bikes for there friends in the spinning classes and other people are turned away only to have there friends not show up. Someone has missed out on a workout because of the selfish act of some people. It usually is the same people every week that are the biggest offenders.
Three things:
First, Wipe down, wipe down, wipe down. Lifetime provides disinfectant “towelettes” all over for that purpose.
Second- Young people in the Men’s locker room- shut off the cell phones! Nobody wants to see me naked on http://www.gymgeezers.com!
Third- Please respect the “family” locker room. When I have my little girl, and she needs to go to the bathroom, I can’t count the number of times a female member has been trying on boutique clothing or couples without children are camped in the restroom. Thanks.
Please rerack the weights after you’ve used them. Although I admire the fact that some people can lift a massive amount of weight, I cannot. Sometimes there will be so much weight on the machines, I have to skip that part of my work out.
It would be nice if the staff would encourage people who have completed their workout to rinse off before plopping their sweaty, greasy bodies in the spa or pool. There is a shower right next to the spa and only a handful of members use it.
Most of these issues are because the Lifetime Staff does not enforce the rules. I’ve worked out in may gyms, and most will not tolerate such things as not re-racking your weights or picking up your own towels. It’s simple solution – make an example of the offenders, and the rest all falls in line.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when women leave their hair all over the locker room: on the shower walls, on the counters after they blow-dry their hair. It is gross when you walk into a shower stall and someone has put their hair all over the walls. It takes 5 seconds to gather up your hair with a tissue and throw it in the garbage.