Every new year, a new cohort of resolution-havers flocks to the gym looking to get healthy. There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s commendable, in fact!—but for regular gym-goers, navigating a crowd of newbies can be a bit exhausting. That’s especially true when the newcomers don’t know what they’re doing.
A recent Reddit thread looks to help novices avoid embarrassing themselves by crowdsourcing some gym do’s and don’ts. The top-voted comments are all about weight etiquette; specifically, about putting weights back when you’re done with them. “Remember that before you can get into heaven you have to do a single squat under all the weight you left racked,” says one commenter.
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Similarly, there’s no such thing as “reserving” a machine that you’re not using. Don’t camp out, even if you’re alternating sets to hit different muscle groups. “Don’t hog the weights. The most annoying thing someone can do is hog all the freaking weights and dumbbells and refuse to let others use them,” one user wrote. If someone (hopefully not you) has been using a machine for a while, politely ask if you can alternate. And if someone asks you to do the same—or just how many sets you’re doing—it’s not because they’re trying to be rude. They just want to plan their time around yours.
Knowing how to interact with others is as important in the gym as anywhere else, but you’re there to workout. First timers can easily go too big, with too many weights and bad form. Don’t be that guy. “Start small, it’ll be easier to maintain the routine and there’s a much smaller chance you’ll injure yourself,” one user wrote. Do a lot of reps until you get a feel for the weight you should actually lift. Your form will be better and it’ll pay off in the long run.
Your fellow gymgoers can be a resource, as long as you’re polite. If you don’t know how to do an exercise or work a machine, don’t be afraid to ask: “Most people are friendly and will help,” one user wrote. Many of the people you’ll meet are really into fitness; sharing tips with you is like talking shop for them. Be willing to speak up when you could use help, and you just might find a gym buddy that’ll help you meet those New Year’s goals.
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