by Keith Coburn

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 12, 2009

I have been working out for 10 years now, a late bloomer who didn't want to step foot in a gym until I decided it was time to really start setting goals and getting things done in my life to put me on a better track.

When I started going to the gym I noticed the old timers that were well versed in how to conduct themselves at the gym and the newbies that really didn't have a clue. By nature I took the cautious route and used common sense to guide me at the gym and tried to act like I knew how to conduct myself.

The following is a list of things I learned that I would like to share with you. Common sense does play a heavy role in how to conduct oneself at the gym but I find that there are some that just need to be reminded.

1) When you sweat at the gym, take it with you. Wipe up your mess whether it is on a bench or a stationary bike. You can take a towel with you to wipe up after yourself but most gyms will have a spray cleaner and paper towel handy as well.

2) Camping is done in the great outdoors not in the gym. If you are on a machine and notice someone lingering ask if they would like to work on it. If you are sitting at a machine you can actually get up and walk around, physically indicating that someone can work on it. Do not camp on a piece of equipment.

3) Pay attention to the gym's set time limits on equipment. You will find in a lot of gyms, posted signs in the area where the cardio equipment is indicating the amount of time you can spend on one piece of equipment. Follow the policies, keep in mind that there are others wanting to use the equipment.

4) Keep your odors to yourself. Have you ever walked passed someone or stood next to someone in line that either had body odor or felt the need to pass gas? Now place yourself in gym where getting air into your lungs in large volumes is very important. Please keep hygiene at the forefront and the gas in the rest room.

5) Take care of the equipment you use. Do not leave free weights on bars, dumbbells on the floor, or any other equipment you use lying around. The last thing you want to do is leave things laying around for someone else to take care of, or worse, trip and fall on. Also, keep in mind that not everyone that uses barbells has the strength to remove the weights that you placed on them.

There are many other things you can add to this list that may be someone's pet peeve or just commons since type actions at the gym. I think it's important to remember to treat others as you would want to be treated. The Gym is the one place we all go where there is a common goal and that goal is to better our quality of life. If each of us does our part going to the Gym can be a great experience ever time. I wish you the best of luck.

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