Essential Etiquettes at Health Clubs & fitness centers

Every Fitness / Health Club has some code of ethics that are important to be followed. The etiquette or the rules are meant to maintain the decorum of the place where you are working out. Generally the rules are posted on the walls in the visible areas for making them noticeable to all. Some of the general rules that are seen in most health clubs are related to time for using the machines, staying quite while holding weights, maintain hygiene etc. But there are more rules that should be added to them which could be:

1. Health club apparels: For safety purposes the members are asked to wear appropriate Gym wear suits like track pants, dry fit t-shirts etc for men and leggings, yoga pants, etc for women. Wearing leggings or jeans can be a hindrance while working out. It is also mandatory to wear proper footwear to avoid injuries or foot cramps. One should always wear cotton socks to help absorb sweat and bad odor. It’s important to wear health club apparels while working out. Any house dress would definitely not be allowed to be worn.
2. Hygiene musts: Hygiene is most importantly to be taken care of. One must put not so heavy deodorant before working out to avoid bad smell environment. Heavy perfumes or deo’s can be allergic to others they should carry a cotton face towel for cleaning their body sweat from time to time.
3. Put Cell Phone away: Talking on phone could be distracting not only for you but also for other members of the club too. Its better to leave cell phones at home or keep it at silent mode till you are in the club. While working out your whole concentration should be on the exercise. The purpose of exercise are to reduce stress and bring fitness in body, however when you are on phone you are not only increasing your stress but also missing out your necessary steps too.
4. Maintain Silence: People at health clubs are busy in different fitness activities they have joined the club for. They spend only limited time there. For example a dance workout or yoga class could be for 40 minutes only. So people would like to put their 100 percent concentration on workouts for those 40 minutes and if somebody converse in high voice or switch on loud music on phone, this could distract the other members to a great extent. One should talk in low voice if required so.
5. Follow the Fitness instructor: Every member has different goals either they want to lose weight or gain some for physical fitness. It is the instructor who guides you well. They are skilled certified health professionals who can help you achieve your goals. They are source of inspiration for all. The members should regard them and follow them without controversies.
6. Sauna/ Shower Time: At times when there are people waiting in lines for sauna or shower, do not spend too much time in there. It might leave a bad impression on others waiting outside. Be fast enough taking shower and giving chance to others if they are waiting for their turn. Cause people who might have to go at work might get late.
7. Polite: People of different age groups join the health club. One should be polite enough in conversing with elder or younger, male or female. Decorum of decency must be maintained in the club. Sometimes there could be cases of rudeness, one must still reply back calmly.
8. Things in order: When finished using the equipments like mats, balls, strings, skipping ropes, rods etc., they must be put back in order where they belong to. It becomes easy for others to pick them from the same place and also keeps the surroundings clean and hurdle free.

Gyms and health clubs are like schools of fitness and the instructors are the mentors or the teachers. So the members who are the students must respect and follow the rules of the clubs.