We all annoy each other from time to time. And by the end of a semester on a college campus, the smallest of irritations can become amplified. Let's face it. You're crammed together in apartment buildings and dorms, on buses and in classrooms across campus.
The gym is another place where we are in close quarters and expected to get along. So to avoid annoying your fellow exercisers, here are some tips to consider as you work out.
Wear the right clothes. See-through shorts and tights were big in the '80s but went out of style with MC Hammer. Get yourself some appropriately modest fitness gear. Shirts with sleeves are always good, preferably the kind that absorb sweat.
Bring a towel. To those of you who perspire more than others, wipe off your machine before you move on. It's not fun to put your face into a puddle of someone else's sweat.
Don't linger. Choose a piece of equipment, do your set and then get off. You don't own that machine. By all means complete your workout, but allow someone to work in with you when you are resting in between sets. Also, hogging two machines to "super-set" is definitely not cool.
Strip your weights and rack them when you are done. That means that after you are finished using them, pull the plates off of the bars and return them to the racks. You're in college. Your mom is not here to clean up after you.
Don't slam or drop the weights. Not only is this hard on the weights and equipment, but it's just not necessary. If you need to slam or drop weights, they are too heavy for you. Ask for a spot or change to a lighter weight.
Be conscientious of personal hygiene and keep yourself clean. A shower once a day and clean workout clothes can help with this. Resist the temptation to pick yesterday's shirt up off the floor and wear it. If you can smell yourself, we can smell you, too. (Ditto for perfume -- don't wear too much.)
Move your chat to the corner. Hey, we all have cell phones. If one of your "peeps" calls you while you are on the treadmill, go ahead and answer it. But take the private stuff to a corner, then return to your treadmill afterwards.
Don't do your own thing. For those of you who choose to take a group exercise class, follow along. Group exercise means doing what the rest of the people -- not to mention the instructor -- are doing. Don't do high kicks when the rest of the class is lunging. It's distracting.
Arrive on time for class. There is nothing more annoying than having to move all of your equipment and your exercise mat out of the way for someone who arrives 10 minutes late. Get there on time or wait for the next class.
Communicate with other patrons. If you need a weight, ask for it. If you want to know how long someone will be on a Stairmaster, ask him or her. With the prevalence of computers and cell phones, we have gotten so bad at face-to-face communication. Just talk to each other. Many of the things that annoy you will go away if you just communicate better.
It won't be long before you are out of college and making enough money to be able to afford a personal trainer and a gym membership in a club. Until then, make the most of the situation. Have a good attitude. Try to be mindful of the rules of etiquette above. If everyone is a bit more considerate, we can all have a better gym experience.
