Exercise in Etiquette

Exercise in Etiquette

Energies, egos, attitude and sweat condensed into tight quarters: It comes as no surprise that most gyms and health clubs are a breeding ground for inconsiderate if not outright bad behavior. In fact, recent surveys list rudeness as one of the reasons people avoid fitness establishments. Here's some advice on proper gym behavior. Remember: sweat is no excuse for barbaric behavior.

Do: Upon arrival, stow personal items in the locker.
Don't: Dangle your bags from handles of the exercise machine.

Lockers were not made only for storage. They were made so other people won't have to trip or jump over your stuff. Unless your bag contains the treasures of Yamashita or your own personal sex video, leave it in the locker. Don't be cheap.

Do: Discreetly find a spot in the back if you're late to Pilates.
Don't: Wedge your mat into a prime mirror-front location, covering someone else who made it a point to arrive early.

Even if you've been in that class for 10 years, you're still not entitled to your own sweet space. Stay in the back. Otherwise, show up early.

Do: Place your water bottle in the treadmill cup holder.
Don't: Use the cup holder as a trash receptacle. Or a little hole for leaving your phones, coins, watches, jewelry, etc.

Also remember: Gym employees are not supposed to pick up after you like some yaya. Put towels in the hamper. Don't leave them on the floor.

Do: Bring dumbbells to a less crowded area, use them, and then put them back.
Don't: Set up your personal gym (dumbbells, yoga mat, rubber bands) in a corner which you'll just abandon when finished.

Always put back stuff. It seems like the 10-pound dumbbells are the ones always left in odd places, leaving dazed, sweaty people searching the floor. Besides, improperly stored exercise paraphernalia can pose risks - particularly broken toes.

Do: Stash your cell phone inside your locker.
Don't: Prop your cell phone on any exercise equipment.

So you're too popular and important to leave your phone off. Don't blab away on your phone loud enough for other people to hear. Just turn it off or keep it on vibrate mode. If you can't keep your voice down, go to the lobby if it's that urgent.

Do: Fill your iPod with music that motivates you.
Don't: Inflict your tacky dance party mix on the entire locker room by turning up the volume incredibly high. Even small earphones can be audible.

We know music can get you going but it's irritating when people can hear you boom boom booming. If you can't help tinnitus-inflicting sound levels, at least make it a point to choose music rastefully. And that definitely excludes Olivia Newton John's Let's Get Physical.

Do: Work out intensely, but quietly.
Don't: Try to attract too much attention by grunting louder than a Russian Olympic weightlifter, and other scandalous gestures like hurling dumbbells on the floor.

Do: Wipe down the leg-curl machine after lying on it.
Don't: Even think the sweat smudges will evaporate before anyone notices them.

There's nothing more inconsiderate and gross. Towels are there. There's should be only one way of exchanging bodily fluids and it should be a pleasurable one.

Do: Follow the posted time limit on a machine.
Don't: Reserve a spot by leaving bags or towels. Nothing is more annoying.

Do: Get changed without worrying wherher people are looking at you. You may think so, but, honey, you're not that gorgeous.
Don't: Get too confident and put up a floor show.

Last but not the least, we beg you: don't stare too hard at your sexy, muscular, glistening physique on the mirror. You just might turn into a flower.LSB