The LGF Guide to Gym Etiquette

Navigating the stormy seas of gym correctness can leave even the most hardy gym-goer emotionally and mentally exhausted. Is it ever ok to leave sweat drips on the treadmill? Towel or no towel on the way to the showers? I answer these, and all of your other burning etiquette questions, in today’s post.

 I just finished your awesome interval workout and the treadmill is covered in sweat. Do I REALLY have to wipe it down? I need to get back to work!
There’s no two ways about it, leaving your excess bodily fluids where others can inadvertently touch it just isn’t cool. Take an extra 30 seconds to grab the anti-bacterial spray and some paper towels. Your gym brethren will thank you for it.

My body is BANGIN’ – do I really have to put on a towel to walk from my locker to the showers?
Look – you’re proud of your efforts, and so you should be. But – call me a prude if you will – I just can’t see any reason to strip nakey and parade around the change rooms. Wrap a towel around yourself, or leave your underwear on til you get to the shower cubicle. Save your self-admiration for the mirror at home.

There’s a hot guy/girl I’ve had my eye on at the gym, is it weird to ask them out while they’re downward dogging in the yoga studio?
Let’s face it, the gym is pretty much a nightclub for fit people. I say go for it (unless you’ve got a significant other, in which case you’re an asshole).

Help, I just ran into a work colleague in the change rooms. I didn’t know where to look so I closed my eyes. Is that weird?
What are you, four? While I don’t necessarily see the change rooms as a place to forge new friendships, I do think that if you run into someone you’re acquainted with while struggling with your sports bra, you can be adult enough to make a little small talk. Just try to keep eye contact.

The cardio zone is like my security blanket – I don’t want to leave it. Do I really HAVE to do weights?
Well that depends – do you want to get stronger, fitter and hotter, faster? Noone is going to hold a gun to your head and force you off the treadmill, but here’s some food for thought: lean muscle mass burns more at rest than fat. Plus, we all know that strong feels better than skinny! So if you want to burn more calories, more often (and look better naked), do yourself a favour and learn to love the weights area! Start with one of these workouts and soon you’ll be hooked.

I haven’t been to the gym since wearing g-string leotards was ok. What are the kids wearing these days?
Firstly, wearing your g-string as an external-facing piece of clothing was never really ok. Secondly, check out this blog post here for my favourite winter gym pieces. Basically, you need to be comfortable, so if that means a hot little Lululumon top and a pair of shorts then go for it! If it means your dad’s tattered old pyjama top and a pair of King Gee’s well… it’s a bit weird, but I’m not here to judge you.

So there it is, the LGF guide to gym etiquette. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or still finding your feet in the gym, I hope it clarified a few murky areas for you. And if you’ve got any more burning etiquette questions you know where to find me!