Fun and Fitness: Gym ettiquette to avoid getting your ass kicked: Part II

Last week, I went over some proper gym etiquette we should all follow to the best of our abilities. The list included situations such as lowering your weights under control to avoid breaking equipment and injuring bystanders. So as promised, let's continue with the ongoing list of how to make sure fellow members don't give you a well placed beat down.

8 - Replace your weights. Put your weights back where you got them before someone slaps you upside the head like you deserve. This especially holds true for the fellas. You guys who like to leave 14 plates on the leg press are one of the main reasons girls can't stand you. Guess what happened after you guys did that? Voila; all female gyms.

9 - No Staring. Again, this is mainly geared towards the guys. It's okay to look but it's impolite to stare, perverts. This is another reason why “Curves” gyms are booming. Girls, don't think you're off the hook, you've been known to have wondering eyes as well. Although you can't avoid people who may occasionally stare at you, concentrate more on your workout instead of flattering yourself wondering why everyone is looking at you.

10 - Don't stretch the wrong muscles. If you're working your chest, don't stretch your ass. This isn't so much gym etiquette as opposed to you just being annoying. Stop it now. For your own safety, if you're not sure what muscles to stretch prior to certain work outs, don't hesitate to ask the staff on duty.

11 - No modeling in the mirrors. Use the mirrors to check your form and make sure your performing your exercises safely. Don't use the mirrors to look like an idiot while you do sensuous spins and gawk at your self with a cat smirk.

12 - Don't hog the water fountain. Don't be an ass and sit there filling up a two-litre Pepsi bottle full of water while there are three people waiting behind you. Step aside and save some for the sippers yo!

13. Spare the chitchat. If you don't try to talk to deaf people, then why would you try to talk to everyone wearing headphones? The gym is a battlefield and sanctuary for many, leaving them no time to mingle. These quiet and what many perceive to be ‘snotty' people are often the keenest and most focused in the gym. Headphones are frequently a person's subtle hint to say “leave me the &*#^$ alone.” Side FYI: If you're answering your cell phone in the gym, you're a complete jackass and will get your phone shoved down your throat by the person waiting for you to get off their desired machine.

This list could easily go on forever. But don't get me completely wrong either, since there are exceptions to all rules. For example, you may not want people to work in with you because your rest time in between sets is far too short and you won't have the time required to re-adjust the weights back and forth. Or you may be posing in the mirrors because you're assessing your muscular development and symmetry as most body builders are known to do.

The majority of what has been discussed is common sense for the most part. If we were all intelligent levelheaded people, then none of these issues would exist. Then again, if we were all intelligent people, there would be no crime, no violence and no need for rules and laws. In the end, you're never going to please everyone, but you can definitely piss off a lot of people off if you're not cautious.