Gym Etiquette

In talking with my long time friend Clark at the gym this morning, I asked if could rant a little about gym manners or etiquette. Back when I started training on South Hill Street in Oceanside in the middle 80's, things were taken care of by the gym members. The larger fellows were in charge.  

What they said was what everyone did including the owner. There happened to be four distinct groups of lifters at the Golds Gym. The bodybuilders and powerlifters and transvestites all got along. The transvestites had to be strong to roll unsuspecting marines. The homosexuals didn't get along with anyone, for some reason. The owner had no control as the big guys made all the rules. Big means 250 and up. Everyone had to rack the dumbells in the correct spot.  All olympic bars were stripped and weights put back in order on the trees. Yelling was encouraged. Spitting was thought of as in good taste. Throwing up was a right of passage. There was a certain respect for each other. We were different.

We all wanted to get as big and ripped as we could. Just as most children are taught manners at home, we were taught manners at Golds. When you completed a set, you were to get up off the bench and stand beside it. It was good if you could tell a quick joke or make someone laugh. If another athlete came along he would always ask, " how many sets you have left ."

Proper manners dictated you would then say for instance, two but you can work in. Upon which your new friend would say thanks, I'll work in. This is in contrast to today at one of the giant  box "Fitness Centers". Routinely,  I'll complete my set, turn my back and some overweight woman will have her Oprah sized rear end on my bench. Wanting to be kind I'll say "you can work in with me if you want ." She then looks at me like I'm speaking another language and want to kill her dog. I resist talking anymore and go to my next exercise, muttering. Oh, how I long for the friendships, positive encouragement, the musical sound of real iron clanging, the good natured banter, the I can't wait to get to the gym tonight feeling.  

One more ... the squat rack is for just that squats. Take your curls somewhere else.  If your using the dumbells, for the love of God, step away from the rack at least six feet. If you can't bench 225, stay out of the free weight area. Life's too short to be small ...

- Fred McElhattan