Gym culture is changing, and I start to notice the patterns as younger generations joining in the gym squad. I am probably one of them.
After working out in the gym for roughly 3 years or so, I’ve learnt that there are unspoken gym rules and etiquette that the new gym goers may or may not know when they first start their bodybuilding journey. Heck, I’m sure even the gym veterans could learn a thing or two about these unspoken gym rules.
But there are some that I find odd, or just outright unfair on one party that I want to write here. I’m sure you know some of them, so here we go.
Hot Take #1: Grunting is Fine.
I keep seeing posts on hating the people who grunt or make loud noises at the gym. And I’m genuinely surprised to see that there is a huge number of people that agree and outright call these people out even.
I get it; some of them can get REALLY loud. Especially when they’re with their friends, with them cheering each other on as they hit their new PR (personal record).
But to me – it’s fine for them to do so.
You’re at the gym; not the library. You work out in a place full of people pushing to their limits with speakers everywhere in the gym blasting generic gym music. You don’t have the rights to tell them to be quiet.
Invest in a good pair of headphones, and put some music on if they really bother you. Or find a time where there aren’t much people working out (usually in the early morning).
Hot Take #2: You Don’t Pay the Gym Staff to Re-rack Your Weights
You’re no different than the people who leave their plates all over the place on the table in a restaurant because “I paid for their service” if you leave your weights all over the place after working out.
You pay to use the equipment in the gym. You don’t pay for the staff to clean up the gym you have just trashed.
This isn’t even unspoken gym rules anymore; more and more gyms start to put up “please re-rack your weights” posters just because there are just too many people who don’t bother putting the weights where they belong.
I experience this problem, too – sometimes there would be missing dumbbells from the rack that I wanted to use. Turns out the dumbbells were on the other side of the gym. There were people that took them to do their exercises somewhere else.
Not to mention some really heavy dumbbells that were left on the ground, too. We’re talking 50kg (or 100lbs) dumbbells that people use and leave pretty much anywhere BUT the rack. I pity the staff that have to pick those heavy dumbbells up and put them on the rack.
If you can lift it, you can re-rack it.
Hot Take #3: You Don’t Look Cool Just Because You Slam the Weights
Now this might be something that gets me in trouble with some veteran gym goers (hoping I don’t cause much issues here). Why would you slam the weights after you finish your set?
I know they’re heavy, especially when you try to really push your limits. There are weights that can endure heavy impacts (some are designed for such things like the Olympic weights used for deadlifting and Olympic-style weightlifting.
But I see some of the equipment dropped by some of the gym goers is not designed for enduring heavy slams. Especially the dumbbells – I’ve noticed those dumbbells in some of the gyms I go to start to have loose rubber weights on either end of the grip handle.
It won’t be long before the rubber weights detach and drop on someone’s face when they do dumbbell fly.
Those weights are expensive. You pay to use them, not smash them.
Hot Take #4: Filming in the Gym is Fine…
… but there are lines you shouldn’t cross. It can be a pet peeve for some, but recording yourself lifting or flexing in front of the gym mirror is not much of a problem for me.
Sometimes, you record yourself lifting because you want to see how you do the exercises from a third-person perspective, just to see if you’re doing the exercises correctly. There are times when you want to record yourself just because you feel good and want to share your lifts (or muscle flexes) with others on the social media.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Really. Gym culture is changing as the generation shifts, and the changes are something we can welcome. Heck, even I often record myself lifting at the gym sometimes just for the sake of posting something on my inactive social media account.
The problem starts when some of the gym goers start to act like they own the gym like a studio. They bring recording equipment that is definitely NOT for gym use and can be disrupting for others.
While it’s generally acceptable to capture workout moments or share fitness progress on social media, it’s crucial to respect people’s privacy. It’s best not to film yourself with others in the background without their consent. Not everyone wants their sweaty and grunting faces broadcasted to the world.
There is such unwanted culture around here already, but it’s not common. If you want to film yourself lifting or exercising, that’s fine. But don’t make it as if you own the place to yourself and berate the others when they pass by in front of your camera. They are there to work out, not to do take some movie footage.
If you do want to do some extensive filming, however, I suggest (again) finding a time where the gym wouldn’t be as crowded – usually in the early morning. That way, your recording equipment wouldn’t be much of an intrusion for the others, and the people wouldn’t get in your way of filming.
That’s Pretty Much It
Most of the time, it’s about common sense and being considerate. We all have one goal at the gym: to work out. Some of the unwanted acts that we see may seem like nothing at first, but they can be a problem in the long run.
They can drive the new gym goers away, they can cause potential hazard at the gym, and they can contribute to broken equipment, which hinders others from using them.
So, do be mindful of the others and the things you use. I’m sure we all want the gyms we go to remain functional and inviting for as long as it stands.
Anyway, enough ranting. Feel free to check out my other articles in the catalogue here. As always, I’ll see you in the next entry.
