What’s not to love about the gym? Your campus gym is in close proximity and filled with good-looking athletes. Nonetheless, the college gym consists of a wide range of people you’ll have to learn to deal with while working out. Before worrying about what other people are doing, you should be aware of these 4 unspoken rules of the college gym:
1. Put Your Phone Down
Unless you’re changing the song playing on your phone, I do not think having your phone out is necessary. This is a prime example of how to get other people at the gym to dislike you. Being on your phone at the gym just makes you look lazy because you’re not working out… and aren’t you there specifically to work out?
I also especially hate when guys and girls think it’s okay to take “gym grind” selfies. No. Phones are unacceptable!
2. No Short Shorts
Under no circumstance should any gym-goer wear short shorts to the gym. This rule in particular should be a written one, but it should also just be common sense. Now ladies, why would you wear Soffee shorts that barely cover your butt, when there are thousands of appropriate Nike and Under Armour shorts to choose from? So, if you don’t already have them, buy yourself a few pairs of athletic shorts. You’ll be surprised how cute some of them are, and being comfortable will make all the difference in the quality of your workout!
And to the guys who go to the gym wearing short shorts… I won’t even get started on that.
3. Stop Staring… at guys, at ladies, and in the mirror
Staring at people will make you look creepy and will without a doubt scare your “gym crush” away. So, don’t stare. Period. Don’t stare at the guys lifting, don’t stare at the guys doing legs, and most importantly don’t stare at the guy who is blatantly staring right at you because then you will just freak him out. As for the guys, don’t stare at the girls on the elliptical, don’t stare at the girls stretching, and don’t stare at the girl who is lifting more than you. But there is nothing worse than a person who can’t stop staring at himself or herself in the mirror. Avoid staring in general, and you’ll have a more successful workout.
4. Clean Your Machine
This should be an obvious rule, but so many people fail to perform this simple act of common courtesy. Nobody wants to go on a piece of equipment that is all sweaty and gross, so wipe your machine down when you’ve finished using it. After all, there are paper towels and spray bottles in the gym for a reason! Regardless of whether you’re a D1 athlete or an average first year student avoiding the Freshman 15, this rule applies to you.
5. Don’t go on the machine right next to mine if there are others open
This is a prime reason why some females dislike working out at the gym. Why some people choose to work out on the machine directly to another person when there are clearly other ones operating is beyond me. It’s unnecessary to be in such close proximity to other people who are exercising. Not only does this aggravate the person already working out, but it also just doesn’t make any sense. Word to the wise: give gym-goers their space.
Hopefully these rules make your next gym experience more enjoyable!
Have a funny story about these rules, or want to add on to our list? Tweet @hercampusqu and be heard!