Feeling self conscious, not being sure how to act or what to wear are actually some of the biggest anxiety points for most new gym members. Here’s your comprehensive guide to navigating the gym with confidence and a rundown of the unspoken rules all experienced gym goers already know.
What to Wear: Dress for Success
Do’s
- Comfortable trackie pants or shorts and regular t-shirts
- For deadlifts and squats, opt for flat-soled shoes to enhance stability and balance.
- Keep a jumper or hoodie handy to help warm up at the start
- Bring a sweat towel with you to put on equipment you’re using
Don’ts
- Muddy work boots
- Jeans
- Ripped or torn clothing
- Button up shirts (yes, unfortunately some lost souls have worn dress shirts before 🙈)
General Tidiness: Keep It Neat and Organized
- After using weights and equipment, place them back where they belong.
- Leave benches and attachments in the same location you found them.
- Wipe down equipment after use with the disinfectant spray provided to kill any germs from the sweat
Personal Hygiene: A Considerate Approach
Ok, a lot of the below points seem simple but this is a big one for a select few 😅
- Shower before hitting the gym
- Wear deodorant to stay fresh during your workout
How to Act
- Wear a smile and be positive – don’t be the guy or girl charging around the gym looking like they’re about to throw hands.
- Avoid lingering around equipment you’re not using. Chances are there’s someone else waiting to use it
- Refrain from staring at fellow gym-goers. You might be trying to see what they’re doing so you can give it a go, but it doesn’t always come off that way. If you need help, it’s best to just ask a staff member or one of the personal trainers.
- Keep grunting to a minimum – you’re not Arnold, and if you feel the need to scream to lift the weights it’s probably just a sign it’s too heavy.
