The oblivious, boorish and just-plain-stressed members of health clubs are making their presence known like never before, so much so that gyms are changing the way they deal with members using poor gym etiquette. Industry expert Brenda Abdilla, who counsels health-club operators on how to run their businesses, said she used to counsel a customer-is-always-right policy, but now bad behavior has escalated to such a point that clubs have to actively deal with it.
“I think it is getting worse because people are so stressed out,” she said. “It’s not a matter of more incidents, but more angry ones.”
GYM ETIQUETTE
Because exercising is such a single-minded, ego-driven activity, good manners are easily forgotten, civility expert Mary Mitchell says. She devoted a chapter to workout behavior in her latest book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Etiquette.” Some of her good-behavior tips:
– Don’t expect the same spot each time you do a group class.
– Don’t make a fuss if you blow a shot while playing a court sport. Move on.
– Respect locker-room space. Keep your gaze at eye level.
– Pick up after yourself and don’t hog mirrors, sinks or showers.
– Be on time to a yoga class. Arriving late can jar others already in the process of chilling.
[ THE SEATTLE TIMES ]Some gym pet peeves:
– Failing to wipe sweat from the machines
– Hogging the machine, such as not letting others “work in” between sets
– Loud talking
– Show-offs and/or screamers
– Unwashed
– T-shirts that reek
– Excessive naked prancing in the locker room
– Cell phones
– Leaving bags and equipment in aisles
– Eating in saunas
– Sexual behavior in saunas
[ THE SEATTLE TIMES ]
