GROUND RULES

No one wants to be that person who doesn’t know gym etiquette. Here are five things you need to know before heading into the weight section.

1. IT’S OK TO ASK FOR A SPOT.

Just be sure not to bother someone who’s busy doing circuits, says Megan Murtagh, a certified personal trainer and co-owner of Bounce Personal Training Studio in Ottawa. “If they’re taking rest breaks between sets, that’s an appropriate time to ask. But don’t keep

them from their next exercise if they’re going immediately from one to the next.”

2. PUT YOUR WEIGHTS AWAY.

Weight plates, barbells or dumbbells should be put away in their proper locations—not left sitting on mats. “It’s very dangerous to leave things lying around the gym, as

they’re easy to trip over. Plus, not cleaning up after yourself makes more work for gym employees—and putting away weights all day long is a tiring job,” says Murtagh.

3. WIPE YOUR EQUIPMENT DOWN.

You already know that it’s customary to wipe down the bars on the elliptical and the

treadmill you use, but you also need to clean sweat off benches, weight machines and barbells.

4. PLACE— DON’T DROP— WEIGHTS.

“The gym is already a noisy place, so don’t drop your weights or dumbbells,” says Murtagh. “Also, dropping them instead of placing them down

loosens the ends of the dumbbells, which can end up being dangerous for the next people using them.”

5. SHARING IS CARING.

Monopolizing the gym equipment is a no-no. If you’re working out in a busy location, it’s typical for folks to take turns using the same equipment.