An annoying man at the gym posing with dumbbells

Hats, phones and sweaty butt prints – we’ve seen them all. And no, they don’t get any easier to deal with, you just get more time to perfect your death stare.

First things first, there’s a few things you should know. Trust me, we’ll be saving you a lot of bother...

THE GYM: WHAT NOT TO DO

1 - Hats

Now, we’ve mentioned these before but it’s worth mentioning again. A woolly hat while using the treadmill just brings attention to the fact that you may have terrible hair. Not to mention you are going to get seriously warm. Either invest in some products or shave it off.

2 - Not wiping down the equipment

Would you like to sit in my sweaty butt print? No? Then why should we sit in yours? Remember one of the most important pieces of gym etiquette - spray and towel, people.

3 - Weight hoarding

Got all your weights in a nice pile around you on a Monday night so the rest of the gym can’t use them? That’s nice for you. Shame you can’t show some consideration and let the rest of us use them, not like we’ve come to do a workout or anything...

4 - Bad technique

Think fast, jerky bicep curls are gonna get you those guns? They won’t.

5 - Turning up in a group

Most people head down to the gym on their own or in pairs. This way you can concentrate on your own workout and make your way round as efficiently as possible. Going around in a big group just proves to the rest of us that you’re not doing any serious training and you’re just there to hang out.

An angry emoji on a phone

6 - Phones

Listening to music? Fine. No problem. Browsing Facebook while chilling out on the leg press? NO.

7 - Drinking energy drinks while walking on the treadmill

Unless you have some specific need like – well – there’s no need. You’re just going to spill it.

8 - Trying to lift too much

Not only will you invoke a dozen eye-rolls, you could actually injure yourself. Don’t show off. Stomping about all red faced while wearing an unnecessarily large weight belt isn’t helping anyone. Including you.

9 - Grunting

Lifting is hard and you do really need to pay attention to breathing. Sometimes it’s impossible to be silent. BUT – we all have someone in the gym that we’ve nicknamed Grunty. Don’t be Grunty.

10 - Using the plyo boxes as seats

Plyo Jump Boxes are fantastic, versatile pieces of equipment. They’re not however, for sitting on. It’s a gym, you’re there to work out, not feed the pigeons.

A man staring at you

11 - Staring

We don’t mean death stares – we mean just staring. People love to people-watch – we get it – but trying to outstare your gym nemesis will just turn you into the gym weirdo. Relax and re-adjust your focus back to yourself.

12 - Interrupting someone’s workout

If you see someone counting with a vivid look of determination in their eyes, don’t ask them – and we mean it – DO NOT ask them if they’re using that nearby foam roller or where the water fountain is. Reps and sets are extremely important, especially to those who train seriously. Interrupting someone’s routine will certainly not end well.

13 - Posing

We all want to look good – that’s a given. But doing 10 crunches and then lifting up your shirt in the mirror to see if it’s made a difference will almost get you tripped up on the way to the men’s. Stay humble and wait until you get home before you start flexing in your pants.

14 - Forgetting the deodorant

Take it, use it. If you’ve ever been on the treadmill next to someone who has clearly decided not to bother with deodorant, you’ll know how unbearable it is. It’s a gym – if you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right. But this is all the more reason to get out the can and have a quick spray. For the love of Mirafit please, just spray.

15 - Walking over someone’s mat

If someone is using the mat nearest the Medicine Balls, don’t ignore this fact and walk on it anyway. There’s plenty of room, just make your way around it. Carrying loads of weights over someone else’s face while they’re doing sit ups is rude and dangerous.

men partying and getting ready to go to the gym when drunk

16 - Don’t turn up drunk

Now we know you wouldn’t do this anyway - you wouldn’t – right? But swapping protein shakes for Baileys or water for gin is not big, it’s not clever and someone could get hurt – albeit, probably you. Stay sober and remember kids, stay safe.

17 - Commenting on someone’s weight or appearance

You’re at the gym to work out – not judge. And as much as we are all allowed our own opinion, keep this one to yourself. Weight is very personal and even if you think you’re giving someone a compliment, you could be making a grave error. It’s best to stay quiet on this one and leave others to it.

18 - Stretching in an inappropriate spot

Whether you’re packing in a few extra wall runs, wall sits, calf stretches or curtsy squats, the doorway is not the place to do it. Nor is the middle of the weights section. Find a quiet corner so you can train without disturbing the flow of traffic from machines, to weights, to mats.

19 - Not clearing up after yourself

You might be overly impressed that you can bench press 200kg but the next person may not be so pleased. And no, clearing up after you is not a great warm up, it’s inconsiderate and lazy. Clear up your shh...

20 - And finally… the golden rule: No curling in the squat rack

The squat rack is sacred. Think you can just hang out and curl? Wondering why there are lots of people staring at you with murderous looks on their faces? There’s a reason. Buy your own Mirafit Squat Rack if that’s your thing and keep your squat rack curls for your garage.

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Tags: Misc> Lifestyle