Gym Etiquette

From Jack LaLanne to Arnold Schwarzenegger, fitness holds its own niche in American society. In recent years that niche is seeing unprecedented growth.

The popularity of working out makes for a flooded social media page and also a cramped gym. Cluttered, dirty gyms are a source of irritation for some gym-goers. Weights strewn about, machines wet with sweat and an overall lack of gym etiquette is prevalent.

Justin Tiso is taking matters into his own hands.

“I’ll say something to them,” Tizo says. “Most people are just lazy and realize when someone calls them on it that they are doing something stupid.”

Most gym members like Tizo are busy, contributing members of society who carve out an hour or so a day to work on their fitness, wind down from a long day, or are working on a fitness goal. 

But gym worker Skyler Lopez says people should also show tolerance.  Beginners just starting their fitness journey might not know how to conduct themselves during a workout.  She says that’s one reason the more experienced gym goers should help out. 

“Thinking about other members who aren’t comfortable in the gym yet, they could see that (cluttered equipment) as an intimidation,” Lopez says.

Gym employee Haylee Arthur is also concerned about gym etiquette and her coworkers.

“I just feel bad for our workers that have to clean up after people when it’s just part of gym etiquette,” Arthur says.

This issue not only is frustrating but also poses a serious safety concern. Improperly stored and stacked weights can lead to serious injury. With that being said, unsanitary gym conditions also bear cause for concern.  In 2017, four members of two different L.A. Fitness gyms in Florida contracted Legionnaires’  disease from dirty equipment. Legionnaires’ disease is similar in effect to pneumonia.

“It’s just common sense,” Corbin Souza says. “An overall demeanor of re-racking your weights, wiping down the treadmills and leaving things the way you found them.”

Common sense people, that is the term of the day.