Self-proclaimed champions of politeness; we are aiming to bring etiquette back in exactly the same way that Justin brought Sexy Back in ‘06. This week we are going to be discussing gym etiquette and if you don’t know what that entails or what that means then this article is directed at you. Welcome to FLO London’s list of the most annoying gym habits…

Stop excessively grunting

Grunting and shouting when you are lifting weights is highly disturbing for everyone involved. We get it, they are heavyweights. However, the gym is a public space so please have consideration for other gym goers we just don’t want to hear it.

Stop with the inappropriate staring

Please keep your wondering eyes to yourself. Most people are simply at the gym to break out a sweat, so unless you get a stare back please keep your creepy eyes to yourself, the gym is meant to be a safe space for sweating and sweating only. And ladies we mean you too.

Stop leaving equipment out

It’s annoying having to troll the gym for weights etc. Put your equipment back in the same place so we can all find the weights that we love. 

Stop taking up my personal space

Don’t block walkways to stretch or work out. It’s dangerous and frankly, people do not want to have to step all over you to get to the treadmill. Personal space also applies to gym classes. We understand that being at the back is the best place to be, but if you’re late please stop trying to squeeze in where there isn’t space for you. Just be aware of your own limbs, and the limbs of others…

Wipe down your equipment 

 Of course, we all work up a bit of a sweat during a workout, but no one wants to find a machine moist and dripping in someone else’s sweat, it’s disgusting. And yes, we used the word moist. M O I S T.

Wipe down your equipment after use!

Stop talking to me 

Most people are on a thing called ‘Gym Time’. This consists of an allotted time to work out and socialising is often not factored in this time.   So when you see someone with headphones on they are most likely in their own personal ‘gym time’, and have come to get in the zone and out of their own head. Please do not disturb. 

Stop throwing your weights

Throwing weights down every rep is poor form, it’s loud, it’s disruptive and it’s annoying. Please exercise some control (punny).

Stop wearing inappropriate clothes

Is it really necessary to be half-naked at the gym?

Guys, we can see that you’re big just from looking at you. You don’t need to emphasise this further by wearing a top that makes your nipples poke out, or a string vest. 

Ladies, we love the confidence, but are booty shorts and just a bra really what you need to wear to the gym?

This same rule applies to being naked in the changing rooms – just stop. We don’t need to see your private areas before we’ve even had our breakfast.

Have a shower, please 

Having poor body odour at the gym makes everyone’s work out difficult. It’s just not pleasant.

Stop telling me how to do things ‘better’ 

Giving unsolicited advice about the state of our weight lifting technique will (most likely) not be well received. 

So please keep your advice to yourself unless asked. Nobody wants to feel like his or her technique is being judged – it’s hard enough to encourage yourself into the gym sometimes, without being openly criticised. Unless unsolicited advice must be shared for safety reasons, obviously…

 Sketches by Nike Akinfenwa