Although it ran into several speed bumps in the past few years, the gym industry is back on track and expected to grow up to $434.74 billion in market size by 2028, according to RunRepeat. That’s a 171.75 percent rise from its 2021 market share of $160 billion. Thanks to clever gym marketing techniques, branching out through online fitness programs, and other tactics, our favorite gyms are here to stay and help us work off our pandemic bodies. But the gym of tomorrow is going to need to be much more observant of etiquette in order to keep delivering better performance to its members, and the members are just as beholden to keeping the quality of the experience better for everyone. So whether you frequent a gym, own one, or both, make sure to observe these gym etiquette rules so everyone can enjoy a fulfilling, stress-free workout. 
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Appropriate gym attire can be a touchy subject, but the bottom line is that you should wear clothes that are comfortable for you. Just make sure that it keeps things comfortable for others too. One of the things you should refrain from doing is wearing clothing or makeup that leaves traces on the equipment, such as body glitter. Yes, believe it or not, some people actually wear body glitter to the gym, and it tends to get everywhere. It could even be a safety hazard if it manages to get into people’s eyes.
Watch out for other things that can also stain or otherwise leave marks on the equipment. They may not be too easy to wipe down, and you wouldn’t want other members to wait their turn longer than they should while you struggle to wipe the marks off. If the gym is open to all ages, it’s also advisable to avoid anything that’s too risque. Some gym admins also request that their patrons not wear anything that can alienate or offend other patrons, such as a politically charged t-shirt.
Indoor Air Quality is Everyone’s Responsibility
Indoor air quality has been a hot button topic ever since the pandemic, and even now that that’s starting to wind down, people are still quite concerned about the cleanliness of the air they breathe. Odors in particular get taken much more issue with than before, especially in an age of rising real estate prices leading to a decrease in business floor space. Gym goers are more packed together these days, leading to smells such as pot smoke, perfume, and the occasional flatulence to be much more noticeable. That’s why if you manage a gym yourself, it’s in your best interest to have it professionally cleaned. This will ensure that no dirty or bothersome smells stick to your interiors.
Know When to Put Back Your Weights
Resetting gym equipment has been the subject of some controversy recently, with a PureGym location making waves by posting a notice warning members of possible suspension if they don’t return their weights after use. The sign was posted to TikTok, going viral within days and scores of commenters came to argue for and against in equal measure.
Some of those arguing against the rule state that they’re going to use the weights anyway, so it would be much easier for them if the last person to use it would just leave it there. PureGym and their supporters, on the other hand, say that to do so can be a safety hazard, especially in a densely packed gym. Given how much of a split there is in gym goers’ preference, it would probably be best to find a middle ground. Look or ask around if anyone wants to use the weights you just got done with, and put it back when no one’s interested.
Avoid Causing Even Minor Disturbances
Not every gym prohibits people from taking calls while in common areas. After all, some calls need to be taken. But even if you’re going to a gym that’s more lax about these things, it still pays to be more mindful of which calls to take and where. Talking to other gym goers should also be done with reasonable inside voices. Loud voices, especially if heard in a sudden outburst, may be construed as an emergency by other members. It would be exceedingly rude to interrupt other people’s workouts just because you and your friend got excited about something, for example.
In particular, saunas, whirlpools, and other stress management facilities in general should be kept as quiet as possible. But it’s practically unspoken gym etiquette at this point to minimize disturbances as much as you can. If a call is important enough to take for longer than a minute, you can get off the treadmill and have it somewhere other people can’t hear.
After everything that’s happened to the world as a whole, people come to the gym with the expectation that it would provide respite in the form of working off one’s own stress as they pursue fitness. Everyone has a part to play in realizing that expectation.
