How To Properly Work Out At The Gym

Proper gym etiquette ensures you and your fellow members have a safe, motivating and effective workout. Everyone must do their part to maintain an amicable and conducive environment to achieve their health and fitness goals. Exercise for most people is a task in itself in addition to making the drive to the nearest gym. The American College of Sports Medicine encourages you to engage in two days of strength training per week and three to five days of moderately to vigorously intense aerobic exercise to prevent your risk of chronic disease. Use your local gym to meet these guidelines while practicing considerate gym conduct.

Step 1

Prepare your workout and set your exercise goals before you enter the gym so you know what to do, how much to lift and how many sit-ups or reps to perform. Know which exercises you will be doing and group them in pairs. Do an abdominal exercise between sets if you must rest for longer than one minute.

Step 2

Stay near the equipment you're using or place a personal item such as keys or a water bottle near the machine--this usually identifies the machine as being used by someone. Consider allowing a fellow gym-goer to work in on the equipment while you are resting.

Step 3

Wear non-restrictive, non-distracting clothing in which you can freely move through the range of motion of an exercise without worrying about body parts hanging out. Perform squats and dead lifts more easily with loose shorts and sturdy shoes compared to tight jeans and worn running shoes.

Step 4

Move away from the dumbbell rack. Grab the dumbbells you need for dumbbell curls or triceps extensions and step back six to eight feet so other members may access the remaining dumbbells. Don't block other pieces of equipment that can be used while you're doing other exercises.

Step 5

Clean up after yourself, advises the American Council on Exercise, reporting that poor gym etiquette is one of the top 10 mistakes people make at the gym. Put away the weight plates, dumbbells and other movable equipment. Wipe down your sweat and throw away your trash.

Step 6

Adjust the machine pads and warm-up with two light sets. Change the seat height and additional machine pads according to your body. Start with lighter weights to prepare your body for the exercise instead of jumping right into your workout.