Every Monday Blogging4Jobs invites our resident Etiquette Expert, CareySue Vega (@Etiquette101), to share tips when it comes to etiquette in the workplace during our own Manner Monday segment. This segment is for the practitioner who is focused on creating a more etiquette-friendly environment. 

Gym Etiquette

Many of us kick off the New Year with high hopes of turning over a new leaf and getting back into the gym. Whether you have a fitness center onsite at your company, or you’re your heading out to a local gym; one of my readers who is a ‘regular’ when it comes to working out, asked if I would post a few reminders for those of us who…um, aren’t so good with our attendance.  Yes… this reminds me, I need to get up and get moving!

Do Keep it Covered

Not only is dressing appropriately important for the everyday life and the workplace, it’s equally important to be dressed suitably for the gym.  ‘Too little’ cover provides ‘too much’ skin for your fellow gym patrons to feel comfortable.

Do Keep it Clean

That infamous sign you see posted in various places, ‘Your mother doesn’t live here’, is what immediately comes to mind.  Clean up after yourself!  Who wants to work out on a piece of equipment that has pools of sweat lingering?  Wipe down the equipment and make it presentable, just as you would like to find it yourself!  Along with the above-mentioned sign, another childhood flashback ‘pick up your room’ comes to mind.  Don’t forget to leave your equipment in a neutral setting, put the extra weights back in their proper storage area before heading to your next station.

Do Keep it Quiet

Please do yourself, and everyone in the gym, a favor and turn your ringtone to silent.  It’s very distracting to hear a ringtone going off while you are focusing energy on your workout.  And for those of you who still use your smartphone to actually ‘talk’, step outside or away from the gym floor while you carry on your conversation.

Don’t forget to Eat

Even though you may be trying to lose weight, you don’t want to pass out during the process.  Make sure you eat something before heading in for your workout.

Don’t Stink up the place

Sweating and perspiring are great, stinking is not.  Clean out your dirty closes from your gym bag as soon as you get home and restock it with clean and fresh gear.  Don’t forget the deodorant but leave the cologne or perfume for ‘date night’.

And of course, DO be patient with the newbies… they may end up being a new client, colleague, or business partner!