In the 6-8 months that I was away from my gym, nursing my back and recovering from surgery, apparently all of the members got lobotomies. I kid, but seriously? What is with the lack of gym etiquette? Most of these things should be common sense, y'all.
If there is a whole row of open machines, DO NOT use the one immediately aside of another person.
Wear deodorant. Nobody wants to smell your BO.
Wipe your machines ... especially if you've been dripping sweat and BO all over them. (confirmed on twitter by
Amanda).
Don't talk to people unless you need to ask them to move themselves or an item from equipment. Most people are there to work out and you are interrupting them by talking to them. (confirmed on twitter by
Kathryn)
Don't put your stuff on other machines, unless the machines do not work.
If someone catches you staring at them while they work out, LOOK AWAY and stop staring. It's just rude.
Stalking someone (a.k.a. picking a machine near them, then moving to follow them when they change equipment) is creepy and wrong.
Driving around the parking lot and waiting for a close parking space is only acceptable when it is raining or snowing. Otherwise, you are there to work out. Take your long walk as a warmup and stop being lazy.
Hang up your phone. Wear earbuds. Don't sing. Don't talk loudly to your neighbor. Use common sense ... if you don't want to hear what someone else is doing, chances are they don't want to hear what you're doing.
Cover up. You should be working out, it is not a runway show. Keep your boobies inside your shirt. It can't be comfortable to run with them bouncing all up in your face. You're going to get a black eye. If you are wearing the same top as Billy Blanks, cover it up!
Speaking of covering up, don't walk around the locker room nekkid. You may be comfortable with your birthday suit, but chances are that you're making everyone else around you really uncomfortable.
Now, I know ALL of you have at least one piece of gym etiquette or a story that I need to hear ... so spill!
