Codes of the Gym

[Blown_SC]

Codes of the Gym
By: Nick Nilsson


The gym is a unique environment in our world. People come there to improve their bodies and feel better about themselves. Most gyms have a written set of rules to govern our behavior while working out.

ALL gyms, however, have an unwritten code of behavior that is not always readily apparent to sometimes even the most advanced of us. The aim of this report is to tell you the written as well as the unwritten rules of behavior in The Gym.


The written rules of the gym are usually few and designed to ensure members safety, convenience and equipment care. You are probably familiar with the majority of them. These rules are all fairly straightforward and come out of common sense. These written rules are also grossly outnumbered by the unwritten rules of the gym.

1. Dropping Weights
Dropping weights on the floor can cause injury to yourself or others and can also damage the equipment itself. Always set it down as gently as you can.

2. Returning Weights
This is a simple matter of courtesy to whoever is using the equipment after you. Not everybody can or wants to unload ten 45-pound plates off the leg press machine. Place dumbells back on the rack in the slots where they belong and always remove your weights from the machines unless the next person specifically asks you to leave them on.

3. Proper Attire
Wear appropriate clothing for exercise. This mainly refers to shoes but can include things such as wearing jeans in the gym.

4. Sweat Hogs
Wipe benches off if you sweat all over them. It's even better to put down a towel before you use the bench. You don't want to lie in other peoples sweat so extend them the same courtesy.

5. No Swearing
This is a very common sense rule. Profanity can be offensive to others. If you have to scream in the middle of a tough set, make it unintelligible.

6. No Smoking
If your gym doesn't have ashtrays on the stair-machines, chances are it doesn't allow smoking in the gym area. If you need to smoke, go to a designated smoking area.


The unwritten code of the gym is often a mystery to the inexperienced trainer, though advanced trainers have been known to experience lapses. If you have ever wondered what the unwritten code of the gym is, you have come to the right place. They are many and not always what you'd expect.

1. Talking
Do not talk to someone in the middle of a set. This is very distracting and they are probably not listening to you anyway. Don't be offended if and when they ignore you. Wait until they're done.

2. Excessive Talking
Don't talk excessively to people during their workout. They are (usually) at the gym to work, not socialize. Socialize after the workout.

3. Through The Looking Glass
Walking or standing in front of someone during a set interferes with their concentration. People rely on the feedback from the mirror to help their balance and keep track of form, especially during overhead presses, squats, deadlifts, etc.

4. Working In
Always ask before you work in. It is very rude to just sit down on a machine or bench the instant someone gets off. Don't ask to work in on a machine or bench if the other person is using a lot more or a lot less weight than you as it may take too long to change weights in between sets. Just wait until they're done or find something else to do.

5. Letting Someone Working In
By the same token, it is rude not to let someone else work in with you. The exception to this is when it would interfere with your own workout, e.g. lots of weight changing or very short rest periods.

6. Bench Hogs
Don't hog benches or machines (unless it's quiet and nobody else wants to use them).

7. Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
Don't let your dumbells or barbells roll away from you as they can cause injury in others.

8. Water Breaks
Don't take too long at the water fountain. This includes filling up your water bottle. If someone is behind you, let them drink then resume filling. Don't ever spit or blow your nose in the fountain, either.

9. Captain Safety
Don't automatically jump in and spot someone the instant they look as though they're having trouble. The hard reps are the most productive and you may screw it up by jumping in. Get into position and be ready if they ask but don't assume.

10. Abusing Your Spotter
Don't ask someone to spot you if you can't lift the weight yourself in the first place. If your spotter gets a lower-back workout while you are bench pressing then you need to reevaluate the amount of weight you are using.

11. Comfort Zones
Don't move your bench too close to other people's benches. Some exercises require room to execute than others and you might just be in the way.

12. Resetting Machines
If you work in on a machine, reset it back to where the other person had it after you've done your set.

13. Be Nice
It's not nice to laugh at other people just because they can't lift as much as you. Remember, there is always someone else who can lift more than you.

14. Spotting
If someone asks you for a spot, give it to them. If you don't feel comfortable spotting them, e.g. they are using a very heavy weight, let them know.

15. Screaming
Try not to yell and scream unnecessarily. This can distract other gym members. Sometimes it is necessary but if you scream during a set of wrist curls, something is wrong.

16.. Dropping And Banging
Don't drop weights or bang them together unnecessarily. Not only can you hurt your joints by banging and dropping weights, it is very distracting to others.

17. Too Much Information
Don't hold loud, in-depth conversations around people while they are doing a set.

18. Bullseye
If you tend to spray spit when you lift (it happens), make sure there is no one in the target area.

19. Pepe La Pew (Part 1)
Don't wear excessive cologne or perfume to the gym. It can be very unpleasant for others who are breathing heavily.

Thanks to Basskiller @ WCBB

[Aboot]

15. Screaming
Try not to yell and scream unnecessarily. This can distract other gym members. Sometimes it is necessary but if you scream during a set of wrist curls, something is wrong.

Don't worry, all the screaming I do at the gym is VERY necessary.

[Blown_SC]

Don't worry, all the screaming I do at the gym is VERY necessary.

You're not doing wrist curls now are you

OK, my bad, you are...

jk

[Iowa]

no swearing? I dont think I could handle that.

[Latimus]

smoking? cooome on.....i need those butts between sets...lol

[Juggernaut]

And rule 20............don't knock over my vodka bottle! I take a quick pull between sets and it pisses me off to no end when I have to chase the **** thing down because some idiot kicked it.

Oh, and rule 21.........leave one 45 plate on the bar when finished! No one lifts anything less than that on there first set so be curtious.

[Will Power]

19. Pepe La Pew (Part 1)
Don't wear excessive cologne or perfume to the gym. It can be very unpleasant for others who are breathing heavily.


Does part 2 refer to flatulence? or is that just me.......

[needmorestrength]

Nice post.. I am printing it off and posting it in the gym!

[MotoLifter]

My gym needs this list spray painted in BIG letters on the wall

[IronFreakX]

great post i just wish people would follow them if they dont they should be executed jk am i??

[radar1234]

good post

[MrMondodondo]

No sheeeit on the talkin', how the heck can ya talk if yer training hard?

I agree wit da fellas. I need a pull and drag tween sets........

Specially if I'm wearin my jeans and flip flops.

[BeerBaron]

It's really funny how I can personally relate to some ass breaking every code of conduct mentioned above with the exception of the smoking one, Jersey is so strict on public smoking it would blow your mind. Anyways...Good Post!

[decadbal]

i dont agree with alot of those.. and some are beyond obvious

[Blown_SC]

i dont agree with alot of those.. and some are beyond obvious

I like the list even more now

[SMYL_GR8]

Codes of the Gym
By: Nick Nilsson


3. Through The Looking Glass
Walking or standing in front of someone during a set interferes with their concentration. People rely on the feedback from the mirror to help their balance and keep track of form, especially during overhead presses, squats, deadlifts, etc.

I just hate it when I'm sitting on an incline bench and someone does standing curls or something right in front of me so I have no choice but to stare at THEIR ASS!

[BigMike J]

17. Too Much Information
Don't hold loud, in-depth conversations around people while they are doing a set.

i have had fawkos try this with me.. its annoying.

[ace ventura]

1. Don't play heavy dark satan rock music at full volume. Happened at my gym (at my job) sometimes. Everyone looked very mispleased.

2. Don't steel other peoples banana. God ****! One time I drove back home because just because I forgot it (15 min each way). A couple of days later a girl ate my banana infront of my eyes. I didn't realise it untill she had left.

**** I hate when older ladies take over my bench, pec deck etc before I've finnished my last set. Even more irritating when they do it wrong or just sit there.

One time I was in deep consentration on the bench and a fat lady happened to come in to my sight very often. It was so irritating. I couldn't focus on the last reps.

[decadbal]

whiny pussies...all of you..cept me

[goodtobeapimp]

A lot of those rules collide with anyone that uses a lot of weight. 99% of it could be fixed with a f.u.c.k. you the first time someone started talking to you. The rest by just ignoring people......One I have to agree with is proper attire. There is nothing more that pisses me off,then some twig with a **** shirt on thats ripped to hell just so he can see his own tits. When I do venture out to a gym,I dress like an eskimo and slowly downgrade to a fully,long sleeved human.

[Vegas67]

How about chatting in the shower (ours dont have stalls) My unwritten rule is no talking if you dont know that person well and keep your eyes straight ahead LOL

[Hot-Rox]

Man - I see half (or more) of this list violated everyday. 1. Dropping weights - this one really kills me - to see a wanabe curling a big 20 # dumbbell then dropping it from waist height - about 6 inches from where I am standing. It makes me want to do a Homer / Bart chokeout on them.

[Hed]

I drop weights, but only when i am doin like flat dumbbell press with a 80+lb dumbbells. they are too heavy for my small little shoulders to lay down from that position, but even then, i dont drop them loud

[BeerBaron]

One I have to agree with is proper attire. There is nothing more that pisses me off,then some twig with a **** shirt on thats ripped to hell just so he can see his own tits. When I do venture out to a gym,I dress like an eskimo and slowly downgrade to a fully,long sleeved human.

NOTHING pisses you off more than some guy wearing a ripped or torn shirt eh? Sounds pretty rediculous to me.

[goodtobeapimp]

NOTHING pisses you off more than some guy wearing a ripped or torn shirt eh? Sounds pretty rediculous to me.

Reread that...A ripped shirt so he can see his own tits... shirts that are 10 x too small so he can reassure himself that he lifts. Or the guy with 6% bodyfat that feels the need to take his shirt off and lift weights in front of people.

Anyone who dresses to impress in a gym is wasting their time..I lift in oversized shirts and sweaters...Regardless of size,strength,bf% and I just think thats the way it should be.Call me biased but I see no reason to do otherwise..Unless you are competing and honestly have a reason to look at yourself.