Practicing good gym etiquette is an essential part to working out in a public or private gym, whether in a public gym or at home. It ensures that everyone can enjoy their fitness journey without unnecessary distractions or conflicts. 

If you have access to a home gym, you will have more free reign, but if you’re exercising in a public gym, we’ve got a list of ten rules to make things more enjoyable - for yourself and others!

10 Basic Rules for Gym Etiquette

1 - Avoid the use of cameras and filming without permission from gym management / take phone calls outside the gym.

People don’t want to be in the background of your videos, and excessive filming could get you banned from some gyms. In your home gym you can enjoy the liberty to take all the mirror selfies, filming of sets, and phone calls that you like!

2 - Let people work in between your sets.

In a public gym it is deemed polite to let other people share your equipment (i.e. machines, or similar size dumbbells) by “working in between” your sets, whilst you rest! This allows others to also get on with their own training session, but in your own home the equipment is all yours!

3 - Don't rest on popular equipment between sets.

You should be resting between sets. Just don’t spend ten minutes resting on a Tricep Extension Machine when there is a queue of lifters waiting to use it. In your gym, the only person you need to think about is yourself, so if you want to spend a whole session working (and resting) on a particular exercise - no-one’s going to stop you.

4 - Don't reserve multiple pieces of equipment when you're not about to use them.

The use of supersets/tri-sets can increase the density of your workout and allow you to get more done in a shorter length of time, however during rush hour in a public gym this isn’t convenient for others who also want to use the equipment. In your own home gym, you can layout the pieces of equipment how you like and work on as many exercises as you wish.

5 - Keep the gym tidy by putting the weights back.

In a commercial gym, the last thing you want to be doing is wasting time and energy looking for dumbbells or plates across the gym that are not in their rightful spot. In your home gym, you can make use of the dumbbell and bumper storage to organise your weights, and no one can misplace them.

6 - Don't play music out loud.

In a public gym, there will be speakers playing music out loud! The people in charge of the music cannot possibly cater for everyone’s preference in music, and quite often they will play licenced music to ensure it’s palatable for everyone. However in your home gym you can control the music/movies to your delight! Or if you’re someone who likes to work out with no distracting tunes, you can get some mental peace and quiet.

7 - Sanitise and clean equipment after use.

A sweaty public gym is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, so it’s vital that you reduce the spread of this by wiping down your equipment! Yet, in your home gym, only you use it so you know that it’s been cleaned.

8 - Treat the equipment well.

Hundreds of people use commercial gym equipment, and you need to do your part and look after it. Don’t leave chalk on the bars, and don’t drop steel weight plates. If you’re looking for a guide to help maintain the upkeep of your equipment, check our Gym Equipment Maintenance Guides.

9 - Don't Shout Excessively or drop weights unnecessarily.

When you visit public gyms, you must respect the people around you. You could distract the person next to you during their hard set, which could mean they’re unable to complete their desired reps. In your home gym, protect your floor using Gym Flooring to reduce any noise.

10 - No ego lifting.

This isn’t too much about etiquette, but it’s the most important rule in the gym! You earn the right to lift heavy. It’s important to practice safe strength training through progressing the load gradually, and ensuring correct technique is maintained to avoid risk of injury. This would also apply to those who use a home gym. So don't head straight to the 25kg Dumbbells without any experience.

By investing in a home gym, you not only gain convenience and privacy but also the freedom to create a space that aligns with your values. It's an opportunity to build a space that reflects your commitment to health and well-being, making it easier to stay motivated and achieve your fitness goals.

For more content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and on our official Mirafit Facebook page.

Tags: Misc > Lifestyle