Gym (Jim) Etiquette

So I’m at the gym a couple nights ago.  I see the machine I want to go to next … and I do.

About 1/2 way though my set this guy comes up behind me,  throws a paper towel then his water bottle on the floor next to the same machine next to me.  Then he mutters “Gym etiquette.  Just gym etiquette”.   The piece of paper he lauched was a hand towel laying on the floor next to the machine I used.  It looked spent –  like somone wiped a machine down then left it there but I guess “Jim” (I’m calling him that out of disrespect) was using it to signal the machine was in use.

I was going to say something, but decided at 5′ 2 1/2 inches tall I knew what his real problem is, so I pushed on.  However, his upset did get me thinking about what proper gym etiquette is, and what bugs  me when I’m trying to get a work out in.  So … let’s review what proper Jim gym etiquette is.

1) If you can’t be without your phone for an hour you shouldn’t be at the gym. Talk at home, in your car,  in the grocery store, on the sidewalk, while you are getting coffee but when you come to WORKout then go to work which usually doesn’t mean socializing on your phone.

2) If you need to listen to music, great.  Don’t manage the playlist WHILE YOU ARE SITTING ON THE MACHINE.  Let someone else use the equipment while you’re getting juuuuust the right tune to do your ten itsy witsy reps.

3) Keep a small towel like a face or paper towel with you and wipe down the machine you just left your DNA on.

4) Put the weights back.  They don’t magically float back to the rack after the gym closes. No seriously, they don’t.

5) A piece of paper on the floor does not signal “machine in use”.  A towel draped over the seat or a water bottle might but really doesn’t either.  The best thing to do is to let someone work in with you – it’s more efficient.  I know how hard it is to talk to strangers are in Seattle, but it usually works out.

6) Step back from the mirror so there is clearance for someone to get at the dumbbells. I’m so sorry I had to say that.

7) Don’t have your goodies hanging out … in or out of the locker room.  General rule of thumb here – if you would show it to your Director of Human Resources, then you can show it to me.

8) Training with your boy/girl friend?  Awww that’s so nice and we’re so glad you’re in love.  Want to make out and impress us?  The do it in the parking lot on the hood of your car.  Now I’m impressed.

9) No spitting in the water fountain.  I’m so sorry I had to say that.

10)  A cell phone conversation in the sauna?  Really?  The only quiet place on earth and you really think I need to know what Dana said to Andy, or what’s happened on Scandal?  I really (and I mean this) really #*!&ing don’t!

11) Your gym bag doesn’t need a seat on the bench.  Put it on the floor so your mates can sit down.  While we’re on that subject if you don’t want to get a locker and prefer to carry your bag to the floor,then put it next to a wall not in traffic.

Basically just decide that the place is public and generally for people who are really at work. And like the workplace, the rules are designed to extened comfort and saftey to everyone. If you can’t get with that what you can get is a Bowflex and stay at home.

Thanks.

And  a shout out to Jimmy.  I should have read the paper towel on the floor as “Danger Will Robinson, Danger” but I didn’t.  Sorry bro.

Leadership

I began reading Arianna Huiffington’s book Thrive last night.

I’m not sure of the quote was her’s or not but one sentence read “the purpose of leadership is to avoid the iceberg before it hits the Titanic”

I might add “and to make better decisions if it does”.

Leadership.