Gym etiquette 101
With the fitness floors buzzing at PWC & PRFC, we’re offering a quick refresher on gym etiquette with a few friendly reminders — just to keep the experience good for everyone.
Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.
1. Sharing Equipment is a Team Sport
You might hear someone say:
“Can I work in?” or “Mind if I catch a set?”
That’s gym-speak for: “While you’re resting, can I sneak in a quick set?” It’s a normal part of gym culture, especially during busy times.
A few key things to remember:
- Try not to camp out on a single machine or area for too long.
- Be aware of others waiting, and offer to let them work in when you’re resting.
- Not sure how long you should rest? Here’s guidance from the American College of Sports Medicine:
💪 For Muscle Growth/Endurance: 30–60 seconds rest
🏋️♂️ For Strength/Power: 2–3 minutes rest
If you find yourself resting much longer than that, it might be time to adjust your weight or reps—or even ask a trainer for tips!
2. Wipe It Down, Keep It Fresh
No one loves a sweaty bench surprise.
- One or two wipes can usually get you through your whole workout.
If the wipe’s still wet, it’s still working—no need to go overboard! - We recommend (but don’t require) wiping equipment after use. Just think: if your hands or body touched it, a wipe should, too.
- A fitness towel works great for seats and pads.
- Our staff is out cleaning regularly, but we appreciate the help!
- Please don’t use wipes on touchscreen displays—they don’t like it!
Bonus tip: If you want a little extra peace of mind, go ahead and wipe equipment before you use it, too!
3. Common Courtesy = Happy Gym Vibes
A few final tips to help keep the gym a welcoming space for all:
- If you’re going to ask someone to “work in,” wait until they’re resting—not mid-rep. Trust us, they’ll appreciate it.
- Always return equipment to where you found it. No one wants to play hide-and-seek with the dumbbells.
- In the locker rooms, please wipe up any puddles and be cautious with lotions, sprays, or powders—they can make the floor slippery!
- On the PWC track: the outside lane is for passing. If you’re walking with a buddy, stay aware and let others through.
- And finally: Please don’t take photos or videos if others are in the background, and never take them in the locker room. Respect each other’s space and privacy.
Thanks for being part of our amazing community. With just a little courtesy and communication, we can all get in a great work out.
See you on the floor!