Paul Landini is a personal trainer and health educator in Kitchener, Ont.
Wintertime is the cruellest of seasons. Once December’s holiday buzz fades, we’re left with what can feel like an endless stretch of desolate days. It’s times like these I’m thankful gyms exist. There’s no need for us fitness-minded folks to endure the elements to get our fix (unless, of course, you actually enjoy jogging in snowstorms).
Still, despite the climate-controlled conditions, some people – newcomers to the gym in particular – may feel an occasional cold shoulder while they’re working up a sweat.
This time of year, gym dynamics are controlled by the struggle between two large and powerful factions: the Regulars versus the Resolutionaries. Even though members of these groups share many of the same values, the conflict shows no signs of abating. The Regulars resent the annual influx of clueless newbies who take up valuable space, while the Resolutionaries resent the implication that their existence is somehow an inconvenience to others.
I wish there was a more interesting reason for this back-and-forth battle, but really what it all comes down to is law and order. Gyms may be marketed as inclusive spaces open to all, but they are still governed by rules, many of which are unwritten. Most Regulars know and respect these rules (the unwritten ones even more so). Most Resolutionaries – due in large part to their beginner status – do not.
In an attempt to broker some peace between both sides, I’m going to share some of the less intuitive of these unofficial protocols. Even if you’ve been a gym rat for decades, you still might learn something.
Respect your surroundings
Walk into any large, commercial gym and you’ll see the same thing: lots of people – headphones on, zoned out – each in pursuit of this thing we call fitness. The nature of the activity demands a self-directed focus, however it’s important to remember that gyms are a shared space, and as with all shared spaces, a little awareness goes a long way.
First, read the room. If it’s the early morning, chances are the space is quiet and filled with people who treat exercising seriously. Now may not be the right time to let your outsized personality shine. Gyms are often at their busiest between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; the scene is more sociable during this window, but keep in mind most members are here to work out, not to discuss the latest episode of Love Is Blind.
Another aspect of reading the room is being mindful of the facility’s layout. The training floor of your typical corporate gym is jammed tightly with treadmills, stair climbers, and ellipticals (not to mention benches, squat racks and weight racks). Try not to add to this clutter by parking yourself in open laneways.
Respect the platform
Powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting are unique niches within the world of resistance training. Though the two methods differ in many ways, one thing they have in common is the deadlift. The deadlift is one of three exercises that powerlifters compete in (along with the squat and bench press), whereas all of the Olympic lifts begin as deadlifts before they become something else entirely. And in order to deadlift safely, you need a nice, flat and stable surface.
This is why many commercial gyms have dedicated weightlifting platforms. Though these large, wood and rubber stages might look like the perfect place to unroll a yoga mat or make use of a foam roller, doing either of these things will instantly make you hated by anyone who actually needs to use the platform for its proper purpose. You can stretch pretty much anywhere in the gym; the same cannot be said for performing the barbell clean and press.
Now, when I say, “respect the platform,” I’m literally referring to a specific thing – the weightlifting platform. But “the platform” can also be metaphorical, and by that, I mean it’s important to not monopolize machines or accessories, especially when you’re not using them for their intended purposes. Not sure what a piece of equipment is for or how it’s used? Ask a trainer or one of the gym staffers. Answering these questions is part of the job.
Respect yourself
Some people seem to live only for the cheap thrill that comes from enforcing rules. Unfortunately, the same militant attitude that drives this behaviour is also celebrated by the fitness culture as some sort of key to success. This means that if you’re going to spend time in gyms, chances are good that you’ll encounter a jerk or two.
Don’t be daunted by these meatheads. If you happen to get called out for breaking one of the cardinal rules, just smile, apologize and try not to do that thing again. Gym bullies can be intimidating, but the loudest are usually paper tigers.
Until they’ve proven otherwise, everyone deserves to be in the gym. Beginners should be celebrated, not shunned, for they’re taking the same first steps toward a healthier lifestyle that every experienced veteran has before. If you’re someone who has a hard time with this notion, do the rest of society a favour and join a private club or work out at home.