16 things you should never do at the gym

Now that everyone carries a camera around 24/7, it can be far too easy to capture people and share it – whether they look silly while using an exercise machine incorrectly or are wearing a workout outfit you think may be inappropriate. Not only is this one of those things to never do at the gym, but you shouldn’t do it anywhere. “In your desire to have a good laugh with your friends at this person’s expense – or worse, on social media – you seriously violate gym rules and common decency,” says Steven McDaniels, director of fitness and recreation at Beacon College. “Instead of recording and making fun of them, why not make them feel a little bit more welcome be saying hello or offering assistance.”

Add ‘be careful striking up a conversation with a stranger’ to your list of things to never do at the gym. “If the person is serious about his or her exercise program, he or she will be bothered by a lengthy conversation and try to sneak away from you to resume his or her workout,” says McDaniels. “Exercising already burns a lot of time, which people are usually short on. If you must chat, make it short, sweet, and to the point.”

“Not wiping off equipment that you just used and dripped sweat on is gross,” says trainer, Amanda Schaum. “Many gyms have wipes easily accessible so that you can wipe down sweaty machines immediately after use. It’s also unsanitary and rude to make other people remove your soaking wet towels.”

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Headphones. Check. Water bottle. Check. Towel. Check. Phone. Check. Sweatshirt. Check. But where are you going to put everything? The answer is not on the equipment you aren’t using. “People constantly put all their belongings on a bench or mat that they are not using,” says Schaum. “However, other people in the gym may incorrectly assume the machine is in use. Equipment at the gym is not people’s personal storage spaces.”

When it comes to things to never do at the gym, this one should go without saying – yet some people still need the reminder. Yes, the gym is a place filled with hot people working on getting even hotter. But that doesn’t mean it’s your own personal dating pool. “Don’t try to be a pickup artist at the gym,” says Christel Oerum, certified personal trainer. “It’s OK to let someone know that you think they are cute, but most people don’t appreciate aggressive romantic advances – especially if you do it to every girl or guy that you see. The gym is a safe space, so respect that.”

We all have some degree of body odour – but you should do your best to manage it around others. “There seems to be a fad amongst some men that feel it’s OK to be au natural and sport a ‘manly’ body scent,” says personal trainer, Josh Grimm. “While that may be your personal preference, a gym is a closed-off space where many bodies are releasing toxins and impurities at once. We should all use deodorant.” Just don’t overdo it with colognes, perfumes, and body sprays – many people are allergic to these. Basically, you want to avoid strong smells, period.

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“If you are looking to cut time in half and increase your heart rate with your workout, then you’ll want to perform one exercise after another with no break,” says personal trainer Alex Carneiro. “However, in today’s gyms, I see most people perform one set and then spend three to five minutes on their social media feeds.” Not only does this kill your momentum and waste your time, but it prevents others from using the equipment you’re sitting on.

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Source: RD.com