guide to gym etiquette

if you go the gym you'll see a lot of people doing (... or not doing) a lot of different workouts and  a lot of different stuff in general. and if you're a new gym-goer you may be confused as to wtf you're supposed to be doing to not be an asshole.

SO we're gonna lay out some basic rules of gym etiquette that most people should agree with. 

1. RE-RACK YOUR WEIGHTS
   1. i'm putting that as #1 cause it's the most annoying and frustrating and rude thing that people do in the gyms, and it's also the most common thing that people skip out on doing. here's the thing... if you can pick the weights up to do your sets, you can pick them back up to put them back on the rack. this is key because 1) it keeps the gym organized so everyone can find the equipment they're looking for and 2) you are being a decent person and saving other people from having to pick up after you
2. WIPE DOWN YOUR MACHINES
   1. we all sweat, i get it. personally, i sweat a lot and on just about anything in my general vicinity when i'm working out which is just fine.... as long as you wipe your sweat off the equipment you were using! every single gym i've ever been to has some sort of sanitation station so you can clean up your sweat... use it! 
3. NO PHONE CALLS ON THE FLOOR
   1. if you get a call and answer it real quick that's not a problem. it's the people who are having full on conference calls while wandering around the gym, taking up benches, and just generally being in the way while just chatting away. don't be this person. 
4. STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK
   1. you know what's a good way to get literally everyone sick??? touching all sorts of equipment, getting bodily fluids on everything, not wiping stuff down, and just walking around and sneezing and coughing in an enclosed area. you are not gonna get a good workout in if you're sick anyway. just stay home and get better and don't spread your illness to the masses. 
5. DON'T BE A DICK
   1. just as a general rule, too. but at the gym, share the equipment, let people work in on sets, don't give unsolicited advice to people, don't crowd people, don't be a creep, and just generally don't be a dick. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

there are the extreme basics of gym etiquette so you can be a good gym-goer :) go and enjoy your gym time! 

if you want some guidance on what a gym routine should look like, check out my facebook and instagram for workout ideas, and if you're looking for a plan made just for you... take a look at my programs page and see what kind of training package would fit your needs! or send me a DM and we can figure out what would be the best fit for you! 

HOW TO: get over your fear of the gym

gyms and the entire fitness industry can be highly intimidating, especially to those of us who haven't done the whole exercise thing before.

But the gym has become this really scary place for people just starting out there fitness journey. A LOT of people are genuinely terrified of going into the gym.

But why???

I've heard a few different reasons. 

1. afraid of people judging/watching them

2. not sure what they're supposed to do at the gym

3. just don't want to go to the gym 

SO how do we get you into the gym despite all of that?

Here's what you need to know: 

1. No one cares what you're doing at the gym. I know, that seems insane because everyone seems to be very concerned about other people watching and judging them. But, everyone is just there to get their shit done and get outta there. Promise. To be honest, the people who are watching everyone else the most are the people who are the most worried about people watching them. For real. I work at a gym that has body builders,power lifters, and bikini physique competitors and those people are just focused on their workouts and that's all. they do not give a crap what anyone else is doing. 

2. Most people don't know what they're doing. I swear. You know the whole, "fake it til you make it" saying? probably the most true at the gym. it does take time and practice to figure out the gym, so just know that not knowing is part of the process. so many people are just trying stuff out and hoping for the best. 

Here's what you can do: 

1. Take the gym up on their free first personal training sessions. Basically every gym i've walked into has offered a free first session. It may be framed as a fitness consultation or a free workout or orientation or whatever, but those sessions can be whatever you want it to be. if you do that session and tell the trainer you want to learn how to use some equipment or some sort of exercise, that's what those are for. take advantage of it and learn the lay of the land that way. 

2. make a plan. you don't have to wander around the gym aimlessly, and that seems to be a fear for most people. write it out, make a note on your phone, follow a bodybuilding.com program, or hire a trainer (hi!! i'm available, btw) so you can have a plan or program to follow while you're at the gym and not just going from random equipment to random equipment with no rhyme or reason. figure out what you want to work on for each day you're going into the gym and make it happen. 

3. get gym buddies or go to workout classes! if you're wary of doing the gym on your own, get a friend to be a gym buddy so you can workout together. And if you don't have a friend who will workout with you, go to classes and find a bunch of people who will be your gym buddies while also learning a bunch of great workouts to do on your own! every gym i've ever been to offers some sort of classes and they are a great way to get acquainted with the gym!

4. don't let what other people may think of you stop you from doing something you want to do. (and don't hold yourself back!)  if you just don't want to go to the gym, figure out WHY. if you are afraid of people are judging you, fuck those people. go get your gym time in and hit your goals be the badass you were meant to be.

STILL pretty wary of the gym? If you're in my area (El Cajon/ San Diego) hit me up! Especially if you're a 24 Hour Fitness member, cause I can go to any of those and show you around and help you out! And if you need help making a plan/program contact me on facebook or instagram or email me at tiffnessfitness@gmail.com!