WHEN we finally decide to make that commitment to sign up for a gym or health club membership, we bring ourselves one step closer to realizing our fitness goals. Thoughts and ideas will soon be translated into reality. The gym is, indeed, the right place for that.
In the gym, we share common space with like-minded individuals eager to shed buckets of sweat in the process of carving out that ideal physique. Sure, the gym is a place where we can feed off each other’s energy and inspire each other to push just a little bit more.
As the adrenaline gets pumping with our laser-like focus on grinding out our exercise program for the day, be mindful of the need to practice proper manners inside the gym or any other fitness facility. Here are some simple reminders on proper gym behavior, which may be of help to some:
1 Return weights to their proper place—Indeed, you may be strong, rippling with muscles and able to move heavy stuff around with ease. Be considerate enough to return plates and dumbbells to their proper places for people who aren’t.
2 Wipe down gym equipment after use —A good workout will have you sweating profusely. It is sometimes unavoidable to sweat on exercise machines and benches. Some gyms provide rags and disinfectants with which to wipe down equipment after use. Let us take advantage of these materials, most especially if we tend to leave a trail of sweat on the stuff we utilize.
3 Avoid throwing weights around—Some people have the tendency to drop weights and plates on the floor with reckless abandon right after use. This not only poses a danger to you, but to other gym-goers, as well. Many gym accidents were caused by not carefully lowering heavy weights to the ground. The gym is a place to stay healthy and fit—not one where we place ourselves, and others in danger.
4 Shun aerosol sprays in locker rooms—The scent of your aerosol spray-on deodorant or cologne may be an olfactory treat to you, but it can be a hazard to others. Some people may be allergic to certain chemicals in that aerosol canister that you generously slather on your body. Thus, beyond a disagreement over scent, it can pose a health risk to others in the locker room. It may trigger an asthma or allergy attack once inhaled. If you must, use small, tight bursts of spray, keeping it close to your body. Or best to avoid it altogether when there are others within sniffing distance.
5 Be hygienic—This may sound rather vague, but allow me to spell it out. Water fountains or coolers are there for us to have a drink. Spitting and/or expectorating on such are disgustingly unhygienic to say the least. No member wants to see anything on the water fountain other than, well, water. In like manner, shower cubicles are meant for showering and not for emptying our bladders. While these things may be obvious to most, no harm in putting it out here.
We’ve made the decision to look better and be healthier. Now let’s go just a notch higher and make that effort to make our gym experience a pleasant one for ourselves and those we share it with.