The five most annoying gym habits - and how to avoid doing them

A study by Nutrition Warehouse analysed the opinions of gym users over a year to determine the most annoying gym habits. Photo / Getty Images

THREE KEY FACTS

• A new survey has determined the five most annoying habits among gym-goers.
• Previous research has indicated gym memberships spike in January, but drop off a few weeks later as people struggle to maintain their goals and New Year’s resolutions.
• An etiquette expert has revealed her top tips for avoiding perpetuating these habits.

With the new year well and truly underway, many fledgling gym-goers will be pursuing their health and fitness resolutions - many sans sweat towel.

This influx of well-intentioned rookies around the new year can lead to breaches of an unspoken Code of Conduct that governs the gym, says Australian etiquette expert and triathlete, Jo Hayes.

While some gyms will enforce rules such as towels and sanitisation, others do not - leading to the normalisation of potentially irritating or unhygienic habits that can disrupt other gym-goers.

“The golden rule applies to gym etiquette, as it applies to all life situations: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Hayes told the Herald.

“With people receiving gym memberships as Christmas gifts, and people signing themselves up as part of their New Year’s resolutions, we typically see a spike in new members. This can often make gyms busier than normal.”

The Herald’s discussion with Hayes around gym etiquette followed research conducted by Nutrition Warehouse that examined the most common complaints by gym users on X over a 12-month period. This data pinpointed the five most annoying habits among gym-goers, many of which can be easily avoided.

The data found the most irritating habits to other gym users are poor hygiene, being untidy, hogging machinery, being too loud, and lastly, being disruptive - namely flirting.

To help educate fledgling fitness enthusiasts, Hayes gave the Herald her top tips for maintaining good gym etiquette - and avoiding these five deadly sins.

The data found the most irritating habits to other gym users were poor hygiene, being untidy, hogging machinery, being too loud, and lastly, being disruptive. Photo / Getty Images

#1: Poor hygiene

While it may feel like overkill to wipe down every piece of equipment you come into contact with, this is a basic principle of gym etiquette, says Hayes.

Even if you barely finished a set on the chest press, your back, bottom and hands have still touched the machinery - leaving behind your sweat and bacteria. This is why using the provided wet wipes or sanitising sprays is crucial for keeping the gym as hygienic as possible.

“Doing our best to maintain good hygiene is essential, for the physical health of all gym goers,” Hayes told the Herald. "Ensure gym clothes and towels are clean. Wipe down your face and body with your towel during your workout, so you’re not putting drenched skin on equipment."

As well as bringing your own personal towel, Hayes recommends packing a pair of jandals if you’re planning on using the shower facilities: that way you’re less likely to spread - or contract - nasty fungal infections.

It might go without saying, but washing your hands and refraining from habits such as nose-picking go a long way in keeping the gym as sanitary as possible.

And of course, everyone at the gym should be wearing deodorant or antiperspirant to ensure their odour isn’t offending the nostrils of others.

“Use antiperspirant. No one wants to work out near a smelly person. Use body spray as appropriate, but make sure it’s not too overpowering,”

#2: Being untidy

Being a tidy Kiwi at the gym is paramount to good etiquette, says Hayes. It’s very simple, too: if you use equipment, put it away at the end of your workout. If you drip sweat on a treadmill, wipe it off. If you use the changing rooms, keep your belongings neatly packed away (and safe) in a locker.

Small messes can also become potential hazards: for example, spilling water on the floor might seem innocuous, but it could lead to a fall if not attended to.

“A messy gym not only makes workouts more difficult with things not being where they should be, but it creates visual chaos for gym goers - making the gym experience unpleasant,” Hayes says.

“Clear up your belongings, put gym equipment back after use and, if you see some things in places they shouldn’t be, it doesn’t hurt to put it back in its right spot regardless of who left it out. Most importantly, if you see a hazard, like water spills near a treadmill, alert the staff at the gym to clean up the spillage.”

Jo Hayes is an Australian etiquette expert and lifestyle consultant. Photo / Supplied

#3: Hogging machinery

One of the most common complaints identified was people monopolising equipment: particularly by using their rests as an opportunity to scroll social media.

While staying up to date with your notifications is important, there is a time and place: and that place is not on the seated row machine while someone waits their turn.

Taking a break between sets is one thing, but using that time to peruse TikTok is another, says Hayes.

“A person hogging machinery shows a supreme lack of self-awareness, courtesy and consideration for others. Do your thing and get moving.”

But phones aren’t the only cause of monopolising machinery. We get it, you want to hit a certain number of reps, or are training until failure. However, if the gym is busy, you should consider breaking up your sets so you’re not stopping others from completing their workouts.

The general rule of thumb during busy periods is limiting your time on a weight machine to 20 minutes, or spending no more than 20 to 40 minutes on treadmills and bikes, says Hayes.

“If someone is checking socials on the machine while others are waiting to use it, speak up. I suggest something like, ‘Hey, mate. Are you done with the machine?’ This is usually enough to cue them to the fact others are waiting.

“If they respond by saying no, I recommend saying something like, ‘No problem. How long do you think you’ll be? I’ll be over on the bike, can you give me the heads up when you’re done?‘”

Make sure you're using the provided wipes to clean equipment - and have a personal sweat towel in tow. Photo / 123rf

#4: Being too loud

You know the stereotype of the chiselled weightlifter screaming their way through every rep and grunting with reckless abandon while throwing their dumbbells on the ground? Yeah, don’t do that.

But being too loud can also extend to loudly catching up with a friend or singing along to the music (that only you can hear through your headphones).

While it can be fun - and motivating - to exercise with a friend, the gym is not the place for raucous laughter, detailed anecdotes of your dating life, or in-depth conversations on the treadmills.

“The gym is often time-out, or ‘me-time’, for gym-goers. They’ve had a long day at the office, and just want to get pumping, running or cycling without people chattering loudly around them. Loud conversation, singing, and generally impacting others with one’s behaviour demonstrates a lack of courtesy, consideration and respect for others,” Hayes says.

“Are people avoiding you, moving away from you, giving you cold looks? They’re all big social cues that you’re being annoying. Take the hint and adapt your behaviour. If you love chatting while you work out, perhaps consider a group class or run club where chatting is encouraged.”

#5: Being disruptive (i.e., flirting)

While all the aforementioned irritants can be considered disruptive, this habit in particular encompasses unwelcome flirting, interrupting others, and being generally unaware of your surroundings and how your behaviour is impacting those around you, according to the data.

While Hayes acknowledges the gym can, in theory, be a good place to meet like-minded people (and has been the backdrop of many a meet-cute), flirting with a fellow gym-goer is not always appropriate or welcomed.

“Disrupting someone’s workout is annoying. Most gym-goers are on a strict time schedule. Having someone, even with the best, non-creepy intentions, interrupt said workout can be disruptive. Further, the conversation can distract others nearby,” Hayes explains.

“I’m not completely opposed to gym flirting. Just use common sense. Also, don’t flirt with everyone. You don’t want to be known as the ‘gym flirt’ (which can easily flip over into the ‘gym creep’).

“If you’re really keen on getting to know someone, time your exit so you’re leaving the gym at the same time, and strike up a conversation in the lobby or carpark. That way, the other person can oblige the flirting if they so please, and you can have an extended conversation.”

Lana Andelane is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist. She was previously lifestyle editor at Newshub, where she began her career as a news producer. She enjoys writing about music, pop culture, fashion and beauty.