| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/20/2008 9:42:17 PM | Hi,
I am pretty new to this gym. And I have a few questions and concerns.
This may not sound pretty, but not sure where to ask this.
I am just getting used to everyone walking around in the locker room, in the buff. I mean everyone, to the point where I feel funny with my towel wrapped around me.
But, what I really wanted to know: Is it normal for gym goers to use the sauna and steam room completely in the nude (no towel). And how do they sit on the sauna bench and steam room tiles without feeling exposed to bacteria or other forms of viruses?
I have also seen one women brushing her hair in the sauna. I am thinking ,well wouldn't you want to take a shower after the sauna? Aren't you sweating in her? Hey, isn't it rude, how do I know you don't have lice or something. I was always told you should not brush your hair: at the dinner table, sitting on the bus or train next to someone. (What I am trying to say, isn't this rude or unsanitary?)
Basically, how do you avoid feeling the "cooties", while you are at the gym?
Is there any Gym Etiquette?  | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/20/2008 10:20:15 PM | Well, I've seen a lot of people who rinse the tiles down before they sit in the steam room. I shower when I come out of either, so I'm not too worried about what I come into contact with- it's not like I'm absorbing anything through my skin. Besides, being in saunas/steam rooms is said to help immune function.
Brushing your hair in the shower though isn't considerate, as few people want your hair stuck to them. I can't even stand my own hair stuck to me when I'm damp, let along someone else's. And in a sauna, you can't even rinse it down the drain.
I don't know how anyone with a germ focused mentality could avoid feelig the "cooties" at the gym. But, if you never really think about or care about all the "germs" that are out there (seeing as bacteria is everywhere, and you've got bacteria in you, and that's all "germs" are) then it's no biggie.
(And kudos to not feeling the need to be wrapped in a towel. Being terrified someone will see a part of you in the locker room is childish) | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/20/2008 11:39:16 PM | | Well this is more so sauna etiquette not gym etiquette. I go home to shower so I don't know personally, but I would think it's okay to walk around in the buff in the changing room, but in all courtesy, wear a towel out of respect and not disgust other people. But they DO clean down everything with bleach daily so don't worry about viruses. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/21/2008 5:42:56 AM | You DON'T avoid gym cooties -- that is why I quit going to one.
I once paid good money to join a very nice clean gym. Most of the members were clean, classy people, BUT:
There was one guy in our sauna that liked to do his exercises in there. He would hold his arms out and do "windmills" while sweat flew from his arm pits onto the rest of us.
One day while I was walking into the wet area barefoot -- a guy passing me spit on the floor.
Another member told me she wasn't above peeing in the shower.
And, of course, there were always the usual number puddles left on the weight machines
I fnally just chalked up the membership fee to experience (and a weak stomach). I boght some less expensive equipment for my home and built my own gym in my bedroom.
Yeah, they do supposedly scrub the gym down at night. But I have also heard stories of untreatble communicable illnesses breaking out in even exclusive gym wet areas recently. I miss the sauna, but I just take a hot shower for my sore muscles, now. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/21/2008 10:20:15 AM | Hi, thanks for the responses.
There are other issues regarding the use of machines, such as wiping them down after using them, so others don't have to handle their sweat on the bars, seats, etc....
But, I just jumped to what concerned me the most...lol.
I know they clean with ammonia and probably bleach, but that is usually only sporadic or at the end of the day. From my understanding, and please correct me if I am wrong, that viruses and bacteria could live under those conditions (suana and steam room) for hours and therefore can be transmitted to others in between the daily cleanings.
People have asked me what pet peeves do I have, and I could never think of any. I think I just found my pet peeves.
The sauna issues and to think about it, I hate when I see someone blow their noses onto the street. (Not using a tissue, hold one side and shoot.)
Oh, and you could add, not covering their mouth when coughing.
Thanks again. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 2/21/2008 12:04:57 PM | no bicep curls in the squat rack, remember that.
hahahaha. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/2/2008 8:32:19 PM | omg!! this is such an issue near and dear to my heart. I work out at a very busy gym. Every Saturday morning there's this guy that rides the stationary bike and at the end of his work out he strolls over to the trashcan and SPITS in it. Every single week! OMG!!! I feel my stomach clenching just thinking about it. GROSS!!! Then there's the people that sweat like pigs and never wipe the machines down and leave them for the poor unsuspecting person coming in later.
It's enough to make you want to live in a bubble! | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/3/2008 5:20:16 PM |
And how do they sit on the sauna bench and steam room tiles without feeling exposed to bacteria or other forms of viruses?
Viruses and bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, so I don't know.
Basically, how do you avoid feeling the "cooties", while you are at the gym?
Spray down the equipment before using it.
Put a clean towel on the sauna seat if you use it.
Wear flip-flops if you use the shower.
Don't use the gym water fountain. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/4/2008 8:51:55 AM | Funny.
Don't use the gym water fountain.
I don't know if I want to know why, but I am going to ask anyway "why" not use the gym water fountain? I sometimes fill up my water bottle with it.
I always use a towel in the sauna and steam room, I was just wondering how others felt about it and if it bothered others.
Thanks for the feedback.  | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/4/2008 10:08:14 AM | No idea on the water fountain issue. If you let it run a couple of seconds and aren't putting your mouth on it, big deal.
As for the other stuff, I don't use saunas as they disgust me. The last thing I want to see at the end of my day is a bunch of naked, sweaty women sitting around me 
Now, Brad Pitt? That'd be quite alright.  | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/4/2008 11:17:35 AM | | Well, I don't think anyone should avoid going to the gym for fear of germs, because exercise good for your body, but people should be mindful of their exposure risk. As far as the drinking fountain is concerned, yeah, most adults are mindful enough not to put their mouth on the tap but sometimes you'll see people hold their bottles against the fountain when filling them up. Germs can potentially pass bottle to bottle that way. I always bring a nice large bottle of water with me. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/4/2008 11:42:28 AM | Wow. I know we shouldn't put our mouth on those things. You know what, I haven't even thought about that, the mouth to bottle thing. I normally don't fill my bottle up like that anyways, I have the bottle away from the fountain cause it was easier that way.
Yeah, I normally take my own bottle, but sometimes forget and fill up an opened one. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/4/2008 12:41:22 PM | | I work out in an extremely clean gym and I still don't use the locker rooms other than to put my belongings in there or a jacket or something, maybe to change once in awhile, but that's it. It's extremely clean, new, carpeted, cherry wood lockers, but still, not a place I care to see nasty droopin pale white body belongings airing out lol....just my thing, I change before or go home and shower lol | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/5/2008 4:15:40 AM | Yes, some people will walk around in the buff in sauna's if they have no hangups. Personally, I would wear a towel myself though. Why would I wank to walk around naken with other men?
I once was in a sauna and one guy was naked and doing situps in front of me, as you can imagine I did a runner!  | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/5/2008 4:19:48 AM | Gym wise, I always get changed at home and then shower at home later. I never use the gyms lockers rooms, Same reason I guess, went in once to put my top in a locker and had this guy walking round naked.
Who needs that? Now if it was a woman walking round naked, that would be another story - I'd use the lockers all the time | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/5/2008 9:10:03 AM | I am one of those guys that walks around naked in my change room at my health club. I never put a towel around me. If any guy is offended, don't use the change room or workout at home.
I was a shy guy when I was very young. I served my country. Sometimes you had times where you were naked in front of other guys.
I don't know if the guys who have hangups about those things are homophobic or they think they have a small **** and they think that everyone is looking and laughing at them behind their backs. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/5/2008 11:32:02 AM | From what I understand of wood, cedar is supposed to contain something in it that basically kills bacteria. That is why you find alot of wood cutting blocks in kitchens.
To the OP, as far as nudity I try not to pay it any mind. Never been in a sauna much as my "Y" doesn't have one so no help there. I do agree that it is bad mannors not to wipe down a machine after you have been sweating heavily on it and yes that is disgusting. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/6/2008 11:32:50 PM | I feel for you. I just started going to a gym. I go evey day for 2hrs. I don't use their showers because they have clear shower curtains. I didn't think anyone did till today. I went in the guys locker room to use the urinal and some one was actually in the showers naked. I turned right around and left. About 10mins. later I returned and the guy was standing butt naked at the sink rinsing something out! I don't even want to guess at what it might have been. I didn't mean to say anything, but it just came out,"Jesus! Put a towel on man!" The guy then turns to face me[NOOOOOOOO] and just goes 'Why?" I just left the locker room. This why I HATED high school gym class!
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/7/2008 3:22:50 PM | Hi beershark,
Thats funny, my gym has clear shower doors, they are of the foggy type, you cant make out too much detail. But, yeah I tend jump in and jump out...lol. I like the sauna and steam room, so I am just going to have to find a way to deal with it. I heard what doesnt kill you, will make you stronger...I hope it holds true...lol.
I always thought wood was absorbant, therefore, I was nervous about bacteria and such could live up in the wood.
Well, thanks for the info... | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/7/2008 7:36:39 PM | If you're nervous about germs and bacteria there are other places you should avoid, too, such as the supermarket (imagine all the different hands on those carts!), the doctor's office and the hospital.
The alternative to the germ squeegies is to keep your hands clean and don't touch your face...and bring your own water. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/8/2008 3:50:16 AM |
If you're nervous about germs and bacteria there are other places you should avoid, too, such as the supermarket (imagine all the different hands on those carts!), the doctor's office and the hospital.
You make a good point and one that I have made in the past myself.
Maybe they shouldn't leave their house.
At my gym, there are a few of these obsessive compulsive people. I noticed one lady using a wipe in her hand so she would not have to touch anything on a weight machine with her hand. I am sure this same woman doesn't practice that kind of thing when she touches shopping carts or when she uses an ATM.
Meanwhile, in the free weight area, the only thing weightlifters wipe are the benches. Most people who workout in that area are the healthiest people in the gym. I spend a lot of time there and I NEVER get sick.
I blame one of the trainers. She is obsessive about wiping. She lectured me about wiping in front of other members and I told her that the gym is NOT a sterile environment and that it is not a hospital. Wiping benches and seats and hand grips are fine in my opinion. I am not wiping everything I touch in the place. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/8/2008 12:28:30 PM | At my gym, there are a few of these obsessive compulsive people.
Just for your info I am not afraid of germs. If you knew me you would know that, but since you don’t, you can assume all you want....you know where that gets you though.
What my post was about respect, and the sauna and steam room. Only because they are butt naked...and under those conditions and wood and steam....etc.
I am not too worried about the machines because I have clothes on, and to me that’s a layer of protection and a towel...
I am sure this same woman doesn't practice that kind of thing when she touches shopping carts or when she uses an ATM.
If they use their a** to push the cart and use the atm...hell yes I would use a wipe..hmm... I would probably bring my own cart and use checks...lol.
And yes I use the protection covers when I use public restrooms, and if they don’t have them there, I make my own...
Just because we are in a gym, I don't feel people should have the right to be rude and have no respect for others. It is not your personal gym, sauna, steam room or pool for that matter, and I believe we should be respectful of the other users. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/11/2008 9:56:43 PM | | We have a bathing suit or towel requirement in the steam/dry heat rooms at my gym. We don't tend to have a lot of nekket people roaming around. Sometimes people will change right at the locker instead of a changing room, but that's about it. There isn't a lot of flaunting or anything. | |
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| Gym Etiquette?
Posted: 3/11/2008 10:14:03 PM | definately bring a towel to sit on, maybe even a small can of lysol for added protection'
guys who sweat alot can get jock itch (the equilivent of athletes foot on their balls)
-i don't know -or even want to think about what an athletic woman can catch up there from a not so clean gym surface.
makes you want to cancel your membership and start jogging | |
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