It’s a THREE POST WEDNESDAY, friends!
First up, I have EASY EASTER SIDES + I’M SHARING OUR DAY VISITING TOKYO DISNEY + it’s WELLNESS WEDNESDAY/SHAY’S WAYS COMBO!
I had this note jotted down in my “to blog” list last year because a sweet reader (hi Kim!) suggested it.
You know me, I love going to the gym, and I really want to encourage many of you to try it out too.
Last year, I shared a post on KEYS TO FINDING A GYM, and today’s post sort of piggybacks that one a bit.
I don’t know about you, but for me, no matter how long I’ve had a gym membership, I’m still ALWAYS intimidated to find a new one/visit a new one.
I don’t want the intimidation to stop any of us from lifting weights/using cardio equipment, so that post *hopefully* gives you some good tips to build up your confidence to find a gym.
That being said, if you’re completely new to visiting a gym, I thought I’d share a few “maybe you should/should not do these things while you’re there”.
That was the suggestion for this post…part of the intimidation was showing up and “not doing it correctly”…WHICH TOTALLY MAKES SENSE TO ME.
I have a few little thoughts below, but please, please chime in and share your own.
We want to encourage everyone to head to their local gym AND set them up for success once they arrive.
All gyms will have their own set of “rules” posted and often, trainers/staff members and such will be around to encourage the use of said rules…but no one wants to be called out for doing anything incorrectly and/or most of us want to fly under the radar while we’re there, so here are a few of my pointers:
#1: WIPE DOWN EVERYTHING AFTER YOU USE IT
Wipe, wipe, wipe down your equipment after you use it. Even if you don’t think it “looks” sweaty, give it a wipe. Not only is it hygienic and healthier for everyone to have wiped down equipment, it’s just polite to the person using it after you. Let’s be real, gyms are kind of gross (how could they not be?), so let’s do our part and wipe, wipe, wipe. Gyms open to the public absolutely should have wet wipes and sanitizers readily available and out for everyone to see and use…BUT if for some reason the one you’re visiting does not…
#2: BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL
…use your own towel. I always bring a small hand towel with me to the gym (and to my yoga studio). This isn’t a large bath towel, just a smaller hand towel and you guys, they can be used for a plethora of reasons. You can use them to wipe off equipment in a bind. You can use them to spread over equipment/benches/mats as to not lay directly on them. You can use them as resistance when stretching. I never bring one and don’t use it several times. They’re easy to carry around and lightweight, so bring one with you.
#3: DON’T BE ON YOUR PHONE
I would say if “wiping off equipment” is rule #1, this is rule #2. If you need to be on your phone for calls, checking email and/or texting, you should head to the lobby or way off to the side away from the other people working out. Scrolling in the middle of people maneuvering around you and equipment as they work out is a good way to probably get called out.
#4: DON’T DOMINATE TOO MUCH SPACE/EQUIPMENT
I think it’s absolutely okay to do sets between two different types of equipment and take up a bit of space, but try and be mindful of how crowded it is and/or how much space you’re taking up. Sometimes, I’ll notice people moving benches around that block pathways/entrances/etc and that gets complicated. Don’t hesitate to get in the gym and “make it your own”, just try and be aware of where you’re placing items in relation to other equipment/people/exits/etc.
#5: MAKE SURE YOU RE-RACK
You will find signs typically taped up around gyms reminding people to “re-rack their weights”. If you use equipment, just put it back when you’re done. For safety reasons alone, you don’t want to keep your weights out where someone could trip on a dumbbell left on the floor or hurt themselves trying to remove a heavy weight off of a rack. Use it, enjoy it, put it back.
#6: DON’T SIT ON MACHINES AND SCROLL
This goes back to phones…but sitting on machines/equipment and scrolling is a big no, no. If you’re between sets, you can stand up and allow someone to work in, but taking up space and looking at your phone doesn’t allow you or anyone else to use the equipment. Just be mindful that it’s shared space. Which leads me to…
#7: ALLOW PEOPLE TO “WORK IN”
It took me YEARS to get the courage to ask someone if I could “work in” and/or not be embarrassed when someone asked me if they could. Andrew always thought this was silly of me “just ask them”, but you guys, I was intimidated. Now, I understand that it’s totally acceptable at the gym to ask someone if you can work in/allow someone to work in on the equipment I’m using. What does this mean? Well, if I’m going between two different machines (because let’s say I’m doing one set on one machine and then another set on another machine and back and forth) and someone wants to hop on one machine while I’m on the other, that’s fine! It’s polite to ask, and it’s polite to allow it.
#8: NO DIRTY SHOES
Dirty shoes in the gym makes dirty equipment and dirty floors and more dirty equipment…just be mindful of your shoes as to not make the gym messy.
#9: BE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL TIME
If you’re working out with a friend/bump into a friend at the gym, that’s awesome. Just make sure you’re not socializing too much in the way of other gym goers in lieu of working out.
Do these make sense? DO YOU HAVE ANY TO ADD? I just want to do as much as I can to ENCOURAGE you to visit a gym. I fully believe gym intimidation is a real thing ESPECIALLY for women, so if I can help you navigate any hurtles/obstacles along the way, I’d love to do so.
Make sure you also check out my post on 8 Keys to Finding a Gym as well as my 10 Keys to Getting Ready to Workout too!
Don’t forget, I have so many other SHAY’S WAYS you can check out as well.
Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
21 Ways I Hygge
12 Ways for a Happier Day
7 Keys to Reducing/Avoiding Motion Sickness
8 Ways to Add “Vacation” to the Everyday
10 Keys to Getting Ready to Workout
8 Ways I Stay Healthy When I Travel
7 Ways to Make the Holidays Fun for Teens
And it’s a three post Wednesday, so also make sure you stop by and see my EASY EASTER SIDES + I’M SHARING OUR DAY VISITING TOKYO DISNEY!
Thoughts? Comments? I’m here for it!
Have the best start to your April! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Great suggestions! I would also add use headphones, not everyone wants to hear your music!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Addy Robinson says
These are good! Especially no to sitting on equipment and scrolling….!
I would add, be aware of your smell. That can include going way too heavy on perfume / body mist that is nauseating but also body odor. Natural deodorants are great for the body but do not always do a good job of constraining a grown, sweaty man’s body odor..!! I will swipe a light/natural scent oil on my wrists so that I can breathe it in while working out if someone around me is particularly smelly. This is my favorite!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MEBTO7G?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
LB says
Yes to all of these gym do’s and don’ts! One more I’ll add: please don’t film a TikTok or IG reel of you working out with other people in the background. I lift heavy weights 3x/week at our country club gym. On holiday breaks, high school and college kids swarm the fitness center. Wish they knew that some of us come to the gym to de-stress, not be in the background of their TikTok video! 🤦🏼♀️
Andrea says
I will add that no one is looking at you! Don’t not do something b/c you are worried you might look weird…no one cares! Everyone cares about themselves so don’t get in your head about it! Also, doing something is better than nothing. So what if you only do a few sets or only walk 20 minutes…it’s better than doing nothing!
Beth Valenta says
I know this is a weird one, and I encourage people who are great runners. BUT, hearing you pound a treadmill at 10 mph stresses me out. It is so loud and the person is breathing so loud. I just want them to run the track…
Mix and Match Mama says
It stresses me out too. I’m always fearful they’re going to hurt themselves!
Patty Anderson says
I don’t understand people who sweat on a machine and then just get up and walk away. Gross! There are wipes readily available…USE THEM!
Also, while scrolling isn’t a good idea, I have a trainer who puts workouts in my app, so I’m often looking at what I should be doing next, weights, etc, until I’ve learned enough to be able to do it without verifying. Scrolling, no. But using my phone sometimes, yes.
Lindsay says
I love all of these suggestions! Have you done a post on your favorite wellness/health podcasts?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, but I’ve included them in several of my wellness posts. Everyday Wellness, Zoe Science and Nutrition, Found My Fitness to name a few!
Kristin S says
What a great list! In my experience, most people don’t follow this list. It’s mind boggling to me.
Kristy Moore says
Love this post! My biggest pet peeves are people who come in to lift heavy weights wearing Crocs or those funny thin shoes that have a space for every toe.-I’m so nervous you’re going to drop a weight on them!!!
Also, don’t be scared to ask for help! The trainers and staff are there to offer information and suggestions I know people sometimes think they have to pay for information because it’s like using them for a training program. No way!
Lastly, find a gym that has things you enjoy doing in regards to physical activity. For example, if you like to swim, make sure you go somewhere with pool! Love Zumba-find a gym that offers classes!
Laurie says
Don’t grunt or make sexual noises! It’s gross!
KB says
The “working in” content is so true, and also makes me super happy I live in a tiny town (2K people) that a)actually has a community center with a gym and b)only has about 8 people in the entire gym at 5am so I never have to work in with other people…kind of skeeves me out using equipment back and forth with someone, even if we’re wiping down 🤪🤢😂
KB says
I also think it’s important for women to remember that you DESERVE to be there and have a right to take up space (a reasonable amount of course) for your workout as much as the big muscle-head dude nearby. I think women can often feel like b/c we’re lifting smaller amounts or doing different workouts, our workout isn’t as important as the big guys or jacked women.
Molly says
I would also add – don’t worry what others are thinking about your weight. You don’t have to look a certain way to go to the gym. Everyone has to start somewhere and what matters is, you’re trying. I used to be afraid I wouldn’t fit in because I couldn’t keep up with the gym rats, but now I couldn’t care less what people think. Even if you can’t run very long, you’re still lapping everyone sitting on the couch!