by CD Gozzi

Created on: December 29, 2008

I have been working out in gyms for over 25 years. One of my pet peeves is the lack of "etiquette" demonstrated by others who also work out.

On the exercise floor.

First, remember you are not the only one who works out at this location. If there are a limited number of treadmills, elliptical trainers, steppers etc. and many people waiting do not exceed the maximum use time. (Usually 30 minutes).

When you are done sweating on your cardio or weight machine, wipe it down. No one wants to follow behind you and wade through your pool of sweat. Many gyms provide moist towels or sprays and paper towels to leave the equipment as nice as it was when you first got to it. Better yet, bring your own towel and wipe as you work out.

No one wants to be overwhelmed with odor when they have increased their respiratory rate. Women and men keep the cologne and perfume off but please do wear some kind of deodorant. And you know the ones I am talking about they just walk by and you smelled them before they passed you.

Use one piece of equipment at a time. Just because you want to superset your workout, does not mean you get to use all the pieces of equipment at once. If you want to do bench-press and incline flyes, first do one and then the other. Do not take up both benches just for your convenience. If you have numerous sets to do, allow others to work in. Perhaps two of you can trade off between bench and incline presses.

When you are done with your exercise, put the weights back where they belong. There is nothing more irritating than having to pull eight 45-pound weights off the incline leg press machine. Guys, you especially in coed gyms, consider there might be a sixty-year-old woman following you and she will not want to or be able to remove the stack you left behind. Put the dumbbells back in the rack and take the plates off the equipment and put them on the stand when you are done. There are even labels for each of the weights so you can tell where they go.

When you are at the gym, workout! Keep your cell phone in your locker to avoid distracting everyone else. No one wants to hear your conversation when we are trying to get into the groove of exercise.

It is okay if you have a buddy to work out with, just go ahead and workout. Those who linger and chitchat on the equipment while others are waiting are making the exercise experience time consuming and frustrating.

Think about what you are wearing. Yes, ladies, the midriff and cleavage exposing tops are very attractive and you

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