10 RULES OF GYM ETIQUETTE YOU MUST FOLLOW

Have you ever found equipment covered with the previous person's sweat? Disgusting, isn't it?

It is very important to identify and value the etiquette of gym behavior to make it easy and enjoyable not just for you but for the others as well. In case you need to brush up on your gym etiquette, here are the pointers:

1. ALWAYS CARRY A TOWEL WITH YOU WHILE YOU'RE TRAINING
Carry a towel to separate your body from the machine while you use it. Wipe off any bench or machine after you’re done with them. Wipe off sweat from your forehead, forearms, neck or anywhere else it tends to collect.

2. DON'T OFFER YOUR ADVICE TO OTHERS
You might have a Ph.D. in physical training from Harvard with specialized experience with the national Olympic team, but no one cares. Keep in mind that you may not be the most knowledgeable person in the room. If you feel compelled to critique someone's training method, do so in a constructive manner, being polite and acknowledging what they're doing right first.

3. DON'T USE CELL PHONE AT THE GYM AND DISTRACT OTHERS
There’s nothing more distracting than someone yammering away on his cell phone when you’re in the middle of a set. Unless you're waiting for an important call, it's recommended that you turn off your mobile phone at the gym. Keep the cell phones in your locker. Your fellow gym-goers and your waistline - will thank you.

4. PUT WEIGHTS BACK WHERE THEY BELONG
Whenever you use dumbbells or plates, be considerate enough to put them back where they belong when you're done. The other gym members are here to train, not to participate in a scavenger hunt.

5. DON'T MISUSE MIRRORS
I can't tell you how many times I've seen people pop pimples or fix their hair in the mirrors. Club mirrors are for monitoring your form and technique. Don't groom yourself on the gym floor.

6. DON'T FORGET TO USE DEODORANT
There’s nothing worse than sucking in deep breaths between sets, only to have someone’s bad B.O. creep up and smack you in the face. Exercising makes you sweat and perspiration causes body odor. Arm yourself with an effective deodorant and use it adequately.

7. DON'T WEAR INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHES
Avoid wearing ‘nightdress’ type cotton clothes, which are not suitable for the gym. We go to the gym for a reason: to get better, bigger, stronger, faster. It’s important to wear workout clothes that will facilitate different types of exercise. Relaxed ‘dry fit’ t-shirts work great. Comfort-fitting athletic shorts or track pants make it easy to do any sort of exercise, whether it is running, stretching or weight training.

8. DON'T WEAR DIRTY SHOES INTO THE GYM
There is a place to change your shoes as soon as you enter the gym, as well as a doormat to wipe your feet. Please do so. Make sure you are not wearing dirty pair of shoes on the gym floor which you wear in your day-to-day life.

9. DON'T HIT ON EVERY BABE
Try to avoid staring at those beautiful women in the gym. They know they're hot and they don't need your ogling them to figure it out. Gawking at someone can make them uncomfortable.

10. DON'T TREAT THE CHANGING ROOM LIKE YOUR OWN BATHROOM
Even more so than the weight room, the changing room is the place where your true colors emerge. Don't take a marathon shower if people are waiting. Put your used towels in the laundry basket. Make sure that you remove all your shower supplies and that little pile of your hair from the drain.