It’s that time of year when the gym fills up with more than just the regulars. And whether someone’s a newbie or a seasoned lifter, there’s no shortage of rude gym habits on display: Hogging multiple machines, skipping the re-rack, filming others without consent, even crop dusting the gym.
While there isn’t always a fix for every bad behavior (aside from basic etiquette!), there are common mistakes that can be easily corrected. Here, our editors share their biggest gym pet peeves and what you should be doing instead.
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What to Buy for Better Gym Etiquette, According to EatingWell Editors
Mistake: You Take Your Shoes Off to Lift Weights
Solution: Wear Shoes Designed Specifically for Weightlifting
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If you work out in a gym where people are putting up heavy weights on the regular, you have likely seen a person or two who take their shoes off before doing squats. “If you feel that you must take your shoes off in the gym, consider some barefoot shoes instead,” says Allison Little, associate editor. Or, choose a shoe with a wide base, an ultra-firm midsole and great traction so you don’t wobble when you lift heavy weights. You might also want to look for a weightlifting shoe with a small heel-to-toe drop (the height difference between the heel and toe of the shoe).
Mistake: Playing Your Music Without Headphones or Wearing Noise-Canceling Headphones
Solution: Headphones with Adaptive Sound
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Every editor agreed when associate editor, Danielle DeAngelis, said, “Please just don’t blast your music.” And along those lines, don’t wear noise-cancelling headphones either. “I ran by three different people with noise-canceling headphones the other day, so even when I was shouting from behind to get by, they didn’t hear me,” says Penelope Wall, assistant general manager. “If you are in a space sharing equipment, noise-canceling headphones can be annoying for the other person, and maybe even a safety hazard.” Wall swears by her AirPods with adaptive sound so she can hear her music, but if someone tries to talk to her, the music turns down.
Mistake: Metal Water Bottles That Are Noisy When You Set Them Down
Solution: A Bottle Made From Another Material or a Bottle Boot
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We take hydration very seriously here at EatingWell. But the kind of water bottle you bring to the gym matters. “There’s almost always someone in yoga class with a metal water bottle that makes a super loud sound every time they set it down,” says writer Katie Brown. You also don’t want to be the person whose straw tumbler spills everywhere when it gets knocked over. Brown recommends this bottle boot—great for quieter settings—or purchase this Stanley set that comes with a boot and straw cover.
Mistake: You Take Phone Calls in the Gym
Solution: Work Out at Home on Busy Meeting Days
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We get it—you really want to squeeze in that workout and keep your healthy streak going. But don’t take that Zoom call or catch up with your aunt about the holidays while you’re at the gym. Your workout neighbor doesn’t want to hear it. If a long call is on your calendar, consider getting yourself an at-home setup. Our editors are fans of walking pads for calls and weighted vests for indoor and outdoor walks.
Mistake: Not Wiping Down Gym Equipment
Solution: Bring Your Own Towels or Wipes
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Yes, it’s cold and flu season, and you should do your part to cut down on the passing of germs. But also, just don’t be gross! If you’re sweaty, don’t walk away from a piece of equipment without wiping it down. Throw a to-go pack of wipes in your gym bag for good measure (after all, the gym-provided ones can suck) and wear sweat-wicking, quick-drying workout clothing like these shorts or these leggings to minimize the sweat you transfer.
Mistake: Using Chalk and Getting It Everywhere
Solution: Try a Different Product
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I am a self-admitted chalk junkie! And, as a result, I try to go around the gym after my workout and wipe up everything I touched—some days are more successful than others. If you, too, are a fan of the chalk bucket at the gym, consider an alternative like Victory Grips hand grips, which are a personal favorite. Or, Alysia Bebel, social media editor and barre instructor, recommends bringing your own liquid chalk to the gym.