Gym Etiquette for Beginners

>>40943976
Tip the receptionist

>>40943976
You're doing good, wiping the bench after you use it is a good idea, sweaty back slime and all.

While resting between sets I usually just stretch or something, I don't know what to do either, but honestly as long as you don't look like you're wasting the machine by being on your phone or something, you should be good. If someone asks how many sets you have left, just offer to let them work in between you, that way you rest while they do their set and vice versa.

>>40944396
So using the phone while sitting on the bench between sets is a no-go, just in case people think you're just wasting time? That seems easy enough, I'll just decide what to listen to before each exercise I guess.

>If someone asks how many sets you have left, just offer to let them work in between you, that way you rest while they do their set and vice versa.
That's what I was trying to say, but how exactly are you supposed to do that if you assume you're probably not going to be working with the same weights as the other person? Do you just take the plates back on and put 'em back on again as you alternate? Seems kind of weird to do with a stranger but I like the sound of it anyway.

Use the squat plug

>Don't make eye contact with locker room hob goblin

>>40944522
I mean think about it, if you really wanna bench and you see 6 people lifting or resting and one dude sitting on the bench texting, which one is gonna look like the asshole?

Yeah, I usually just ask them what they want and help them get the plates on, takes like, 5 seconds working together. Depends on where you live/what kind of people go to your gym, but after a while, you start to see some familiar faces.

>>40943976
>don't slam the weights
>don't do anything but squat in the racks if the gym is crowded
>don't give unsolicited advice
>don't be creepy

More than anything, be aware of your surroundings. I have a friend who's genuinely trying to be a polite gym goer, but he has the situational awareness of an autistic savant, and it almost injured me on multiple occasions. Even if you can't help it, try.

>>40944396
>stretching in between sets
shiggy

>>40944522
>two sides to a barbell
>you get one side he changes the other
Actually kinda convenient having two people instead of 1

i walk to the water fountain between sets, or rub/touch my muscles i used the day before because they're sore. maybe casually look around in thought. 90% of looking awkward is internal unless you're really doing something out of the ordinary.

if someone wants to work in, let them if you feel like it. if someone is using what you want to use, ask if you can work in, and if they say "i'm almost done", go work on your next body part so you don't just stand around.

try not to ogle the females, it can be hard, but don't stare like a rapist.

if you are using the squat rack, be considerate if they are few in number and someone wants to work in.

>>40944522
I just take my pulse so I know when I'm good to go for another heavy pull or squat.