Gym etiquette!!

[mangosmoothie123]

I’ve joined the gym and I’m going for the first time tomorrow…

Tips?
What to take?
Do’s & Dont’s (that aren’t obvious)?
(Are you meant to take spare shoes to wear inside the gym!?)

Thanks☺️

Take a water bottle and sip from it regularly. It was hotter than hades in the gym yesterday ( and I am in Scotland)

Get one of the staff to give you a starter program and to show you how the equipment works ( most gyms will do that free)

Wipe down equipment after use - there should be spray and paper towel available for that.

If you sweat a lot , take your own sweat towel.

My pet peeve, equipment hoggers that sit on the equipment looking at their phones for extra long ‘recovery’ between sets. A minute is long enough. Do your sets, a minute apart, then clear off.

You don’t need to change trainers in most gyms, but the expectation would be that they are not covered in mud/ grass.

Mostly, stick at it and you will enjoy it. Once you are in the habit the endorphins really kick in 😀

I disagree with the minute between sets. I'm a powerlifter and we absolutely need more than a minute recovery between sets. We quite often work in with each other though so machines / racks etc aren't sitting unused for long periods.
If you're just starting then you wont need long recoveries between sets but just wanted to point out that its OK to take longer recoveries.

I came to say the same thing.

All the above. Beware those that sit on the machines and scroll on their phones more than they use the machines. I have also had men come up to me and ask me if I can let them use the machine or how much longer I will be on it when I have only been on it 5 minutes, or claim to be using it when I get on it, when they are on another machine. Thankfully rare but these things do happen!

Apologies to the power lifters with my ‘minute’ comment. Clearly I am not one!

That said, if this is Ops first visit, she/ he is unlikely to be power lifting

The gym may well have their etiquette up on the wall.

Free weights - put them back where they are stored after you use them.

Thanks, all! I feel a bit nervous really but I’m sure it’ll be ok!😅

Also can anyone recommend a good and affordable protein shake company that they use?

thanks again!!

book an induction with the gym & speak to staff if you’re not sure about anything.

I take my water bottle, phone, AirPods & keys at a bare minimum. I might take a padlock for lockers, toiletries, hair band/brush, wipes etc if I feel I need to freshen up especially if I’m going to/from work. Sometimes I might bring straps or barbell pad etc.

Do’s & Dont’s (that aren’t obvious)?

• I use my phone & watch videos on how to set the equipment up properly for example or the correct form
• I get guys asking me to alternate sets with them, apparently it’s a way of flirting? It goes right over my head as I’m so focused on myself.

(Are you meant to take spare shoes to wear inside the gym!?)

• The gym should have policies on what footwear is appropriate, generally trainers are ok. As long as you’re wearing appropriate footwear, then it’s fine to wear inside the gym. But if you’ve got eg work shoes on, then bring trainers to change into.

I’m not sure what you consider affordable but I use women’s best and will probably reorder

Thanks everyone for your advice the last couple of days! I went last night and really enjoyed myself, will be going again!!☺️☺️

Thank you, I haven’t heard of this brand, I’ll have a look ☺️☺️

I like the gym shark stuff.

I advise getting a " gym bag"

You start off taking nothing but a water bottle. Give it 6 months and that turns into belts ,straps ,ankle cuffs, gloves and multiple pairs of shoes 😳

Timely thread! I'm going for the first time tomorrow - 62 in a month so thought it was about time 😁

Hope you enjoyed yourself!!

I'm newish to the Gym and have been using the Bits app by Henley Fitness, it has training programs and videos of how to use the different bits of equipment/how to do the exercises with correct form. It's been a lifesaver for me, and got me using things I wouldn't have been brave enough to try otherwise (just spent 6 months using the treadmill, bikes and dumbbells).

I have challenged both male and female members at my gym, for blocking machines due to phone use.

I did, so much so that I've joined and plan to go three times a week 😁At €30 a month it's a bargain.

Bit sore today, but nothing compared to the aches you get after horse riding after a long break 😂

yes to induction for machines
also look up phone policy - many gyms don't allow phones, most don't allow filming.

check out classes. my favourite one is a general strength training one. very effective.

I only take a towel and waterbottle. headphones via my watch.