Do you practice proper weight room etiquette?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bill DeMarco and Maj. Craig Theisen
  • 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With more than 30 years of weight room experience between us in civilian and military gyms, gyms that have included competitive powerlifters, professional wrestlers and even a Mr. Olympia winner, we have seen the gamut of weight room acceptable behavior. 

In a hardcore house of iron and rust [as opposed to those chrome-plated temples], lessons in civility are meted out by 350-pound guys capable of pushing combined lifts well in excess of 1,000 pounds. 

When faced with one of these mountains, the only answer is “yes sir, I’ll never do it again,” 

Unfortunately, in the military, we don’t have as many of the old-head gurus of the gym, and so behavior in the weight room begins to stray, as it seems to have done in the Travis weight room. 

With no further ado, here are some simple rules to live by: 

1. Do unto others as you would have done to you. Courtesy is contagious, but so is rudeness. 

2. Nobody “owns” a piece of equipment. Let people work in with you up to a reasonable number [usually four to a piece of equipment]. You have to rest, and while you’re resting, they can get a set done. The ratio of people to equipment should be no worse than 1-to-1. Greater than 1-to-1 is good [2-to-1, 3-to-1, etc.] and more equipment than people is bad [1-to-2, 1-to-3]. In other words, don’t grab a bunch of dumbbells or benches in anticipation of using them a few sets from now, as that only gives everyone incentive to start hoarding equipment before someone else does. 

3. When people are working in or working by themselves, it is very good form to offer a spot. You’ll be enhancing their workout and safety, and they might just offer to spot you on your next set. As a matter of fact, it is required to have a spot at all times and use collars. 

4. If you sweat on a machine, wipe it off. Wipe your body as you sweat, don’t wait and drip all over equipment. Use gym wipes to sanitize equipment and ensure you wipe the bottom of the equipment. 

5. If you move a plate, bar or dumbbell, put it back where it belongs, even if it was out of place to begin with. For that matter, clean up a little if you see clutter in the gym, even if it’s not your mess. 

According to Ms. Tanya Graves, Travis Fitness Center director, the gym staff can declare a safety time out and close the room until it is restored to a safe environment. 

6. If you leave a piece of equipment unattended to get water or use another piece of equipment, don’t be surprised or angry if someone else begins to use it. Just ask if you can work back in when you need to do another set. 

7. Grunting and noise is to be expected. Loud shouting and screams break everyone else’s concentration. 

8. Leave walkways open. Fire codes require minimum spacing between equipment. Comply with posted signs and do not move equipment. Don’t block equipment with benches and other movable equipment. Try to make the smallest “footprint” possible so that the maximum number of people can enjoy use of the equipment. 

9. Respect the equipment. Don’t abuse it. Whatever you break, many, many other people can’t use. 

10. When in doubt, refer to rule No. 1. 

Hardcore gyms are the most courteous gyms. Discourtesy makes the entire gym look bad. If you’re an “old head” and you see bad behavior, let the person know what’s acceptable. If someone checks you on your behavior, take it as a lesson, not a personal insult. Let’s turn the corner in this gym and get courtesy to be the norm again.