Gym Etiquette, Best Treadmill Practices

When you visit a health club to enjoy some time on a gym quality treadmill, you may wonder what the rules are. How long can you stay on the treadmill? Is it okay to rest on a machine and use it again in a few minutes? Should you clean your equipment or let an employee do it? To learn the answers to these etiquette questions, read the sections below.

Resting on Equipment

If you are in between training intervals, commercial treadmills are not the place to rest. Another gym patron may want to use the machine you are sitting on. Though resting on the treadmill is never a good idea, you should avoid it at all costs if the gym is busy. You should also avoid using the treadmill for other non-fitness tasks, such as a place to read a magazine or talk on your cellphone.

Sharing Equipment

Many gyms post rules about the amount of time you can spend on your treadmill in each session. If no such limit is posted, assume that you should spend no more than 30 minutes on any gym quality treadmill. After 30 minutes have passed, vacate the treadmill and allow another gym patron to use it. It is, however, acceptable to use the treadmill for 30 minutes and then move to a different machine for more time.

“Stalking” Equipment

If you are waiting to use a certain treadmill but someone else is already on it, don’t stare at the person or pressure them to leave the machine. When you stand next to someone who is working out, the person may feel uncomfortable. Instead, wait for your machine from a reasonable distance away. When you see the person finish, wait for him or her to leave before approaching.

Treadmill Reservations

Some establishments require patrons to reserve commercial treadmills for specific slots of time. If your gym posts such a requirement, do not get on a treadmill without reserving it first. If you find that someone else is on the treadmill you have reserved at the time you reserved it, approach the person and gently remind them that you have the machine reserved. Conversely, you can also approach a member of the staff if you do not want to talk to the person yourself.

Cleaning the Treadmill

When you use a gym quality treadmill, you may work up quite a sweat. Before leaving the machine for another patron, use a towel to wipe it off. No one wants to work out on commercial treadmills that are covered in other people’s perspiration, and the gym’s staff does not always have time to clean all the machines. Try to remember your own towel. If you forget to bring one, use paper towels provided by the gym.

General Gym Etiquette

Even when you are not on the treadmill, you should still practice gym etiquette. For example, you should never hog the water fountain. If there is a line behind you, don’t make everyone wait while you take a 20-minute drink. If you are really thirsty, take a short drink and get back in line. You can also carry a water bottle with you and fill it up when the line is short.

Don’t carry your gym bag with you from machine to machine. It blocks the aisles and inconveniences other gym patrons. Put it in a locker instead. Finally, make sure that you don’t spend too much time in the shower if others are waiting to use it.

Following Posted Rules

Many health clubs and fitness centers post lists of rules around the facility for patrons to follow. Make sure that you adhere to all of the guidelines listed on this sheet. If any of the listed guidelines contradict the etiquette defined in this article, follow the gym’s rule. For example, if the list of gym rules indicates that you should allow gym staff to clean machines when you finish using them, don’t wipe the machines down yourself.

Reporting Violations

Obviously, it is not necessary to report to the gym staff every time someone breaks a rule. However, if someone in the gym is causing serious inconvenience for other gym patrons, you can report the individual to the health center’s staff. A staff member can gently remind the individual of the facility’s rules, and he or she will likely discontinue the behavior. When everyone follows the rules, the workout experience is richer for all gym patrons.