10 Gym Etiquette Tips to Make Sure Everyone Has a Good Time Working Out

Working out can be so much fun—well, it is until your neighbor on the treadmill next to you violates gym etiquette by listening to their music loudly or hogging the machine. That’s why it helps for everyone to be on the same page about a few fair practices for gym-goers that helps make the experience comfortable for all.

January is especially a good time to go over gym etiquette. After all, it’s that time of year: new year, new resolutions, new gym membership. We all begin the year full of energy and feeling highly motivated. For proof, just go to any gym—literally any gym—at the beginning of January and see how packed it is. In no other month are the machines so hotly contested or locker rooms so full.

So, it’s high time we all get a refresher on how to behave considerately towards others in the gym so that everyone has a good and productive time. The crowds don’t have to be a momentum killer! Instead, we just need to follow these gym etiquette tips so nobody becomes that person.

1.Wear fresh clothes

This one may feel obvious—and, hey, we’ve all been between laundry days and worn some questionable sweatpants before. But sportswear is often made of synthetic materials and can start to smell after being worn during exercise, even after one use. So, try to wear fresh clothes when you go to the gym if you can and always give them a sniff test. If you find your clothes sometimes smell even after washing, there are special detergents and laundry sanitizers that can help remove bacteria.

2. Save the elaborate beauty routines for home

Personal hygiene is an absolute must, especially after exercise, of course. However, anything that goes beyond the classic shower and care routine has no place in the locker room. For example, if it’s been a while since you’ve shaved, consider doing that from the comfort of your own bathroom so you don’t clog the drain. The same applies to exfoliating, removing calluses, etc.

3. Tidy up after yourself

Can’t find the five pound weights? Oh, someone left it in the wrong corner…again. Sounds familiar and gets you upset every time, right? And rightly so! It’s good studio etiquette to put any equipment you use back where it belongs. And yes, this applies to all equipment. If you place something heavy like dumbbells on the wrong shelf, it could fall and injure people.

Cleanliness applies here, too—put your dirty towels in the used bin, wipe down your mat after use, throw trash in the garbage, etc.

4. Have a clean towel on hand

At most studios and gyms, yoga mats and other equipment are there for everyone to use—but frequent contact also means germs can spread easily. Laying a fresh towel down can guarantee you get less sweat on the area and protect you in case a previous user was careless, especially in a place like the sauna or steam room.

5. Don’t judge, but also know how to read the room

For some, just the act of getting to the gym was a big win. It takes a lot of effort and motivation to start a new fitness routine, and nothing can deflate a beginner’s enthusiasm like the feeling that others are judging their performance. If the person next to you is breathing hard, taking frequent breaks, or not as skilled as you—and you find that frustrating—keep any judgmental comments or faces to yourself.