With your 2014 fitness resolutions in full swing, you must be feeling great and exercise will have become part of your new, healthier lifestyle. Fitness facilities are unique establishments with their own code of conduct. It's great to see so many new faces at the gym. Here are a few gym etiquette basics to help make everyone’s fitness experience more enjoyable.

Your Clothing

DO wear clean, comfortable clothes which will help to circumvent your sweat running onto the machines.

DO NOT wear jeans, really short shorts or uncomfortable clothing.  

Your Shoes

DO wear close-toed athletic shoes. They will protect your feet from injury and prevent you from slipping.

DO not wear dress shoes, sandals or flip flops.

Be Clean and Smell Good

Exercise makes you sweat. When the bacteria in your sweat breaks down, an unpleasant odour is released (commonly known as body odour).

DO arrive clean to the gym, arm yourself with an effective deodorant and use it adequately. However, don't douse yourself with cologne as overcompensation can be just as unpleasant for fellow members.

Your Belongings

Imagine how your gym would look if every member left their belongings all over the gym, or carried their bags with them from machine to machine. Most clubs provide lockers in the changing rooms to keep your personal belongings secure while you work out. Most gyms empty out every day and can't guarantee the safety of your personal items.

DO store your belongings in the lockers provided while you work out.
DO NOT leave your belongings lying around the gym while you work out.  
DO take your belongings home with you after you work out and return the locker keys to reception.
DO NOT leave your belongings in the gym lockers overnight or take the locker keys home.

Your Kids

With all the heavy equipment and machines, the gym is not a safe place for young children.

DO NOT bring your kids to the gym.

Your Sweat

Touching a machine covered with the previous user's sweat  or picking up a slippery weight, is not the nicest experience. After using a piece of equipment:  

Do wipe it down using the disinfectant spray and towels provided by the gym.
Do use a towel to wipe yourself down and separate yourself from the machine while you make use of it.

Respect Other Members

Most people come to fitness clubs to work out, not to socialize. Many people have limited time in which to work out, and take their workouts seriously so try not to disturb them. DO take your own workout seriously, pay attention to your technique. DO NOT offer training advice to others. You might have been training forever, but any advice you give should be limited to when you notice someone is going to hurt themselves.

DO NOT make too much noise. Of course, it's natural to emit little noises when doing strenuous lifts, but remember that the others around you are also concentrating on their workouts.

DO turn your cell phone off. As with all public places, unless you're waiting for an important call, it's recommended that you turn off your mobile at the gym.

Your Club’s Equipment

DO learn how to use the equipment properly so you don’t injure yourself or break the equipment.

DO NOT bang the weights or drop them down upon release.  It's hard on the equipment, floor and ears.

DO return all weights and plates after use to the racks where they belong, so other members can find them easily and the bars will not be damaged.

DO NOT leave dumbbells or barbells on the floor when you're done using them as someone may trip on them.

Each fitness centre is likely to have it’s own unique set of guidelines about gym etiquette. Regardless of any ‘rules’ set, it’s up to you as an individual to behave yourself while you work out , so that every member can enjoy their work out. For more fitness and nutrition advice, contact the fitness experts at Bodybykrisfitnesselite on 0112825749, or visit us at No.135, Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwala or check out www.bodybykris.com.

Be Yourself. Only Better.