Gym Etiquette: 15 Unwritten Gym Rules Every Beginner Should Know

Every gym has rules on the wall and rules nobody writes down. The second kind is what makes regulars like you or quietly sigh when you walk past. Here are 15 unwritten gym rules, so you can train without worrying whether you're doing it "wrong".

Cleaning up after yourself

1. Wipe down what you use. Benches, handles and seats. Spray, wipe, done. Bring a towel to sit on.
2. Re-rack your weights. Plates back on the tree, dumbbells back in their spot, in the right order. Nobody should have to unload your leg press.
3. Put attachments back. Cable handles, ropes and bars go back where you found them.
4. Clean up chalk and spills. A little chalk on the bar is fine; a cloud on the floor is not.

Sharing equipment

5. Don't camp on a machine. Rest between sets is fine; scrolling for ten minutes on the seat is not.
6. Let people work in. If someone asks to alternate sets with you, say yes when you can. It's normal, not rude.
7. Ask before you take something. Plates or a bench next to someone might be in use, even if nobody's sitting on it.
8. Use the squat rack for rack exercises. On busy days, do curls somewhere else so people can squat.
9. Watch the cardio time at peak hours. Many gyms ask for 20 to 30 minutes when there's a queue.

Space and respect

10. Don't stand in front of the dumbbell rack. Grab your weights, take a few steps back, then lift.
11. Walk behind people, not in front. Especially when someone is lifting in front of a mirror and checking their form.
12. Don't film other people. Filming your own sets is fine; keep strangers out of the frame.
13. Skip the unsolicited advice. Unless someone is about to get hurt, let them train. If they ask, help.
14. Keep the noise reasonable. A grunt on a heavy set is fine. Dropping dumbbells or taking phone calls on speaker is not.
15. Look after the basics. Deodorant, a clean shirt and headphones instead of a speaker.

Is it rude to ask to "work in"?

No. Asking "Can I work in with you?" just means alternating sets on the same equipment while the other person rests. Ask between sets, not in the middle of one, and adjust the weight back for them if you changed it.

What to bring so you follow the rules without trying

• A small towel for benches and for you.
• Headphones.
• A water bottle so you're not hogging the fountain.
• A tee you don't have to keep adjusting. Ours are heavyweight oversized tees with the print on the back, like One More Rep.

Full list: gym bag essentials. Nervous about your first visits? Read how to get over gym anxiety.