Gym Membership Rules & Regulations
Becoming a gym member can be the first step to improving your health, whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle or both. Every gym has specific rules for its members, and gyms are also governed by an unwritten code of conduct. Learning these rules will help you make the most of your gym membership.
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Cleanliness
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Gym employees and fellow fitness enthusiasts appreciate it if you keep the area around you clean, and this goes for in the locker room as well as in the gym itself. In the locker room, don't spread your street clothes, workout clothes, towels and gym bag over a large area, making it difficult for other members to walk around or get dressed near you. In the gym, keep your water bottle and towel close at all times instead of leaving them spread out on different machines. When you are done with a machine, wipe it down to remove your sweat.
Quiet
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Remember that fellow gym members are working out to get in shape, not to listen to you or your music. If you're listening to a personal music device through headphones, keep it at a reasonable volume so that those close to you cannot hear it. Likewise, do not raise the volume of the gym stereo or television unless you've received permission from a gym employee. If you're working out with a friend, it is acceptable to talk normally, but don't yell or carry on loudly. Finally, do not drop or bang weights, and try to avoid loud grunting.
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Attire
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It is inappropriate to work out while wearing anything but gym clothing. For men, proper gym clothing can include running shoes, shorts, track pants, T-shirts and sweatshirts. Sleeveless T-shirts are acceptable, but strap-style undershirts are not. For women, proper gym clothing includes running shoes, shorts, track pants, T-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts. Halter tops are typically not accepted as appropriate gym wear, nor is any low-cut clothing.
Other
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Other typical rules of gym membership include keeping a scent-free gym by not wearing cologne or perfume to work out and returning weights and mats to their proper location once you're finished with them.
Be generally courteous. Lend your time to someone who's lifting weights and needs a spotter, ask someone's permission before using a machine that they're next to and do not stay on a particular machine for an extended period of time if others are waiting to use it.
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References
- Photo Credit gym image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
