Why People With No Gym Etiquette…Suck
The 5 Worst People at the Gym
Going to the gym should be pretty simple.
You go in. You work out. You sweat. You question your life choices during the last few reps. Then you go home.
So why do some people make it so unnecessarily difficult?
In this episode of the WPS Podcast, we got into one of our favourite topics: gym etiquette and the people who seem to have completely forgotten that a gym is a shared public space.
Because here’s the thing: you don’t have to be best friends with everyone at the gym. You don’t even have to talk to anyone.
But you do have to remember that other people exist.
And apparently, that’s where things start to go wrong.
Here are the five worst types of people you’ll encounter at the gym.
1. The Machine Hog
You know the one.
They’re sitting on the machine you need.
They’re not exercising.
They’re scrolling through Instagram.
Maybe they’re texting. Maybe they’re watching TikTok. Maybe they’re having an existential crisis while staring at their phone.
And you’re standing there thinking:
Are you planning to use that machine or are you moving in?
This is especially annoying in a small gym where there’s only one of each machine. You can’t exactly move to the identical machine five metres away because there isn’t one.
And look, we understand that some exercises require rest between sets. That’s fine. But if you’re going to spend five minutes resting, there’s no reason you can’t let someone else jump in.
The gym is a shared space.
You don’t get to reserve a machine indefinitely just because you sat down first.
The worst version?
People who don’t even leave their machine but are completely absorbed in their phone.
You’re not resting between sets anymore.
You’re just on your phone.
2. The Sweaty, Germy Gym Goblin
Let’s talk about wiping down equipment.
Because apparently, this needs to be said.
If you use a machine, wipe it down when you’re finished.
And yes, even if you “only touched it for a second.”
You touched it.
Someone else is about to touch it.
And nobody wants to put their hands on your sweat, germs or whatever else you’ve left behind.
If you know you’re someone who gets particularly sweaty, even better: bring a towel and use it.
There’s nothing wrong with sweating at the gym. That’s kind of the point.
What’s gross is sweating all over a machine, standing up, looking directly at the puddle you’ve created and walking away like:
“Someone else’s problem now.”
No.
It’s your sweat.
You deal with it.
And while we’re here, let’s talk about the other side of this problem: people who see someone cleaning a machine and immediately assume it’s free.
If someone is wiping down the equipment but they’re still standing right there, maybe don’t dive onto the machine.
They probably aren’t finished.
Ask.
“Are you using this?”
That’s it.
Five words.
3. The Gym Influencer Who Thinks They’re Filming a Movie
We get it.
You want to film your workout.
Maybe you’re an influencer. Maybe you’re tracking your progress. Maybe you just want to check your form.
Fine.
But here’s the thing:
The rest of us didn’t sign up to be extras in your content.
If you’re filming in a public gym, other people are inevitably going to walk through your shot.
They’re not “photo bombing” you.
They’re going from the dumbbell rack to the bench.
They’re trying to get to the treadmill.
They’re just… existing.
And you can’t reasonably expect everyone else in the gym to freeze whenever you press record.
The same goes for people who set up their mats directly in front of equipment, block walkways or take up enormous amounts of space without considering whether anyone else needs to get through.
You don’t own the floor.
And while we’re talking about personal space…
Please stop standing directly next to someone when there are ten identical treadmills available.
If someone is running on treadmill number four and treadmills five through ten are completely empty, why are you choosing number five?
Unless there is a very good reason — a fan, a window, a particular machine you prefer — spread out.
We don’t need to be running shoulder-to-shoulder.
4. The Unsolicited Personal Trainer
This one might be the most irritating.
You’re doing your workout.
You’ve got your headphones in.
You’re minding your own business.
And suddenly:
“You know you’re doing that wrong, right?”
Excuse me?
Did I ask?
If you work at the gym and you’re a qualified trainer who is stepping in because someone could genuinely hurt themselves, that’s one thing.
But if you’re a random person who has decided that everyone around you needs your fitness expertise?
Please don’t.
You don’t necessarily know what someone’s goal is. You don’t know what muscle they’re trying to target. You don’t know their training programme. And you don’t know why they’re performing an exercise in a particular way.
Something that looks “wrong” to you might be intentional.
As we discussed in the episode, even something as simple as a lunge can be performed differently depending on the muscle someone is trying to target.
So unless someone asks for your opinion, keep it to yourself.
And if someone gives you unsolicited advice?
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You are allowed to say:
“I’m good, thanks. I’m working something else.”
And then continue with your workout.
Problem solved.
5. The Gym Main Character
This category is basically everyone who has forgotten that the gym is not their private living room.
They’re the person having a full-volume phone conversation while everyone else is trying to work out.
They’re the person blasting their music out loud instead of wearing headphones.
They’re the person leaving their water bottle, towel, bag and five pieces of equipment scattered across the floor so nobody knows what’s actually available.
They’re the person putting their phone and weights on a workout bench that someone else might actually want to use.
They’re the person staring at everyone else instead of doing their own workout.
And they’re the person who somehow manages to make the entire gym feel like their gym.
The common denominator?
Zero self-awareness.
The biggest thing we kept coming back to during the episode was that gym etiquette is really about remembering that you’re sharing a space with other people.
You’re not the only person there.
Your phone conversation affects the person next to you.
Your equipment affects the person waiting for it.
Your stuff on the floor affects the person trying to walk past.
Your filming affects the people around you.
Your behaviour matters.
And yes, even your personal hygiene matters.
We’re not saying everyone has to be perfectly silent, perfectly spaced out and completely antisocial.
We’re just asking for a little consideration.
So, What Can You Actually Do About It?
Because complaining about people is fun.
But eventually, you still have to finish your workout.
Here are some ways to deal with the gym weirdos without turning your gym into a war zone.
1. Just ask.
If someone is sitting on the machine you need, don’t stand there silently getting increasingly angry while staring at them.
Go over and say:
“Hey, how many sets do you have left?”
Or:
“Would you mind if I jumped in between your sets?”
Most people will understand.
You can even offer to alternate.
They do their set.
You do yours.
They rest.
You do yours.
Everyone gets their workout done.
And you’ve avoided spending ten minutes internally screaming.
2. Communicate when you need space.
If someone is standing so close that you can’t comfortably do your exercise, you don’t have to suffer through it.
You can simply say:
“Hey, do you mind giving me a little bit more space? I need room to do this exercise properly.”
You’re not telling them to get away from you.
You’re explaining what you need.
And if you’re uncomfortable doing that, you can always move yourself if there’s another suitable space available.
3. Don’t be afraid to involve gym staff.
If someone is genuinely making your workout uncomfortable or repeatedly breaking the rules, that’s what gym staff are there for.
This is particularly useful for things like persistent loud phone conversations, inappropriate behaviour or someone repeatedly preventing others from using equipment.
You pay to use the gym.
You deserve to be able to use it comfortably too.
You don’t need to start a confrontation. You can simply tell a floor manager what’s happening and let them handle it.
4. Pick your battles.
Not everything needs to become a confrontation.
Someone standing slightly too close?
Move.
Someone filming?
Walk around them if you can.
Someone smells strongly?
Maybe choose another machine.
Someone is hogging a machine?
Ask how many sets they have left.
The goal isn’t to win every gym etiquette battle.
The goal is to get your workout done and go home.
5. And remember: you belong there too.
This might actually be the most important one.
If you’ve ever avoided the gym because you’re worried people are watching you, judging you or thinking you don’t belong there, please remember:
You have just as much right to be there as everyone else.
Most people are too busy worrying about their own workout to care what you’re doing.
And if someone is staring, making you uncomfortable or behaving inappropriately?
That’s their problem.
You’re there to work on yourself.
You don’t need to be the fittest person in the room.
You don’t need to know exactly what you’re doing.
You don’t need to look like a fitness influencer.
You just need to show up.
And hopefully, everyone else can follow one very simple rule:
Don’t be a dick.
Wipe down your machine.
Share the equipment.
Wear headphones.
Don’t stare.
Don’t give unsolicited advice.
And for God’s sake, get off your phone.
