Let’s talk about something near and dear to my heart — and probably to every trainer, lifter and cardio bunny out there: gym etiquette.
Yes, we all know the gym is a shared space. Yes, there are unspoken rules. And yes, some folks still act like it’s their personal basement where they can grunt, slam and sweat all over everything like they’re auditioning for a “Caveman” reboot. And honestly, I have grunted, slammed and sweated all over plenty of gyms in my life too – but I also pick up after myself. Big difference.
I’ve been in this industry for 15 years. I’ve seen it all. From the guy who wears jeans to deadlift (still not over it), to the woman live-streaming her entire leg day while camped out on the adductor machine for 45 minutes, to the “I just sprayed one drop of disinfectant on this bench so I’m technically done cleaning it” crowd.
So let’s break it down, shall we? A little cheeky, a little spicy, but all from love.
Put your weights back. We are not your mother. And unless your gym fee covers a valet for dumbbells, those plates go back where they belong. Nothing says “I think I’m more important than everyone else here” like walking away from a barbell loaded with 315 pounds, leaving some poor soul to wonder if this is CrossFit or a scavenger hunt.
Wipe it down, Hercules. If you left a sweat angel on the bench, clean it up. No one wants a surprise slip-n-slide mid-set. Hygiene is sexy. Don’t ruin it.
No hovering, no staring. If someone’s on the machine you want, back it up, champ. Hovering over them like you’re next in line for the throne is not a vibe. And while we’re at it — stop staring. This isn’t a dating app. Eyes on your own dumbbells.
Sharing is caring. Peak gym hours are chaos. We get it. But if someone asks to “work in” and you say no while scrolling TikTok between sets? Unacceptable. Be a decent human. It costs zero dollars and burns about three calories.
Filming? Cool. But be self-aware. You want to film your squat PR? Love that for you. Just don’t act like everyone else in the gym is a background extra in your content. That includes leaving your tripod in the middle of the walkway or capturing innocent people trying to figure out the rowing machine. Boundaries.
And now, a word on the most rude, cowardly, trash-tier behavior of all: gym shaming.
Let’s make one thing crystal clear: If you post people on your Instagram story — sneakily or not — mocking them for their form, their outfit, their size, their effort or anything else, you are the problem.
Not only is it wildly disrespectful, it shows more about you than it ever could about them. What kind of person walks into a place meant for growth, healing and self-improvement, only to publicly humiliate someone else for trying?
Even if you didn’t “say it to their face,” social media is a face now. That video you post gets passed around like hot gossip, and suddenly someone who’s just trying to better themselves is now a punch line in your highlight reel? Nope. We’re not doing that in 2025.
We should be lifting each other up (literally and figuratively). Every single person in that gym — whether they’re curling 10s or pressing 100s — has shown up to better themselves. That alone deserves respect. Full stop.
And let’s be real — most of us looked like baby deer in our first few gym sessions. Legs wobbly, form questionable, confidence hanging by a thread. You didn’t come out of the womb with a barbell in your hand and perfect posterior chain activation. Let’s humble ourselves.
The gym is a shared space, and a sacred one for many of us. Treat it, and the people in it, with the respect they deserve. Lift heavy, hydrate often, re-rack your weights, and for the love of caffeine — don’t be a jerk.
And if you’re ever tempted to mock someone else’s journey — remember, karma has great grip strength.
