Everyone knows the feeling of walking up to a piece of equipment, or a power rack, and seeing someone using it–  It’s not the end of the world, but in most cases, it’s terribly inconvenient.  In the unwritten rules of gym etiquette, you have the option of asking the person if you can “work in;” that is, perform your exercise while they are resting, then vice versa, and so on.

As part of this unwritten rule, that person has the option to decline you’re ability to work in with him, thus either derailing your workout, or delaying your workout.  It’s generally frowned upon to not let people work in, but there is a case where it’s allowed–

Ronnie Coleman squatting 800 lbs.

I’m not going to try and work in with Ronnie Coleman when I’m squatting less than half than he is.  Likewise, if someone is squatting less than half of what I squat, I decline them working in with me–  The amount of time it would take to load and unload the plates will mess with my rest times.  Unless you’re doing the same weight (or a similar weight), it’s a hassle to work in on some exercises.  Of course, you can always ask, as there’s no harm in asking, but in this situation, I just patiently wait for the power rack to open up.

That’s a situation where it’s acceptable to decline. . .  Is there a situation where it’s never okay to decline, though?  Yes.

A “Selectorized” Weight Stack.

If you’re on a “selectorized” machine doing a single exercise, and you decline someone working in with you. . .  That just means that you woke up that morning deciding to mess with people that day.  (Side note:  If you’re super setting on the same machine, that is the only time it’s acceptable to decline a work in on a selectorized machine.)  There is no reason for you to not allow someone to work in–  The amount of time it takes to change the setting is about 2 seconds, and the amount of time it takes to perform the exercise is well within anyone’s rest target.

While people will try and justify most other situations where you decline someone working in, most of them don’t really apply.  Unless there’s a huge difference in weight lifted, or it’s something plate loaded (Barbells, Plate Loaded Machines), there’s no reason to decline a work in.  (Unless they’re trying to be rude and take your stuff to the other side of the gym.  In that case, decline, and tell them to adhere to “Wheaton’s Law.”)

If you’re not familiar with Wheaton’s Law, it’s important to live by in order to be a great citizen in the gym, and in life.

Filed under: Body Building, Fitness, Gym Etiquette by DeVinePhysiques
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We’re sorry about the delay in posts the last two weeks–  We’re really good about keeping to our update schedule, but every so often things get in the way.

That being said, I’ve come up with a new rule:  Unless you’re Ronnie Coleman (Or any other professional bodybuilder that makes their living from bodybuilding and has assistants clean up at the gym after them), you need to rack your weights.  This morning I saw this at the gym:

Casper must be working on his pump.

I’ve seen worse, but that doesn’t make it excusable in the slightest.  I always want to ask people that don’t re rack their weights, “Why not?”  It’s very easy to put something back after you use it, and that just makes for a better environment for everyone.  I’ve seen the frustration on the face of a guy as he searched the gym for the 25 lb. dumbbells, but what shocks me is him leaving them not racked.  What!?  How does that make sense?  It obviously irked you, so why not save someone that hassle?

I won’t ask these people why they choose to make the gym a mess–  Instead, I just assume that they’re lazy, and are afraid of doing extra work.  It’s the same reason why people take weights that I’m using while I’m resting in between squat sets (That are higher up on the power rack) rather than bend down to get their own plates–  Why bend down to grab a 25 lb. plate when you can just take mine?

Another good one is the plate trees that have a spot for every increment of weight–  Yet, somehow, people think the 25s go anywhere, the 5 goes where the 35s go, and the 45s should just be rested against the tree.  That makes sense, right?  Again, there’s a spot for everything, and everyone’s workout would be a lot better if we all re racked the weights right.  (I even go as far as fixing the weights on the squat rack while I’m on it in between sets–  It makes it easier for me while I’m there, and it’s my way of “giving back.”)

A workout should not increase in intensity because you have to clean up after someone else.  Make the decision to suck less–  Rack your weights and do it properly.

Filed under: Body Building, Fitness, Gym Etiquette by DeVinePhysiques
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This, is a “Power Rack.”

This, is a “Squat Rack.”

These pieces of equipment are meant for many different exercises, such as Squats, Dead Lifts, Bent Over Rows, Military Press, Select Olympic Lifts, etc.  Here’s what these are not used for: Bicep Curls, Upright Row, or anything else that is completely unnecessary to hog a power rack for.

If you need to do Bicep Curls, you should use an EZ Bar, dumbbells, or the standard bars that most gyms provide. . .  Most of the time, the people that are curling at a power rack are doing so little weight that the use of a 7′ Olympic Bar is completely unnecessary.  (Just the other day a guy was curling 60 lbs.  The gym has a standard bar fixed with 60 lbs. for this purpose.)

Not only is it proper gym etiquette to use the equipment how it should be, it’s an unspoken rule that you steer clear of the power rack if you’re not doing a big compound lift. . .  Otherwise, it could easily cause friction, you will annoy people, and you will be made fun of via YouTube. No. . . Seriously. I’m not kidding.  (While I neither agree with, nor condone recording people at the gym without their consent, people do it quite often in these situations.)

Exercising proper gym etiquette is like proper etiquette in any circumstance–  It’s the way you should behave for the benefit of all parties involved, whether it be bowling, weight lifting, or at attending a classy dinner.  Plus, no one wants to be “That Guy.”

Filed under: Body Building, Fitness, Gym Etiquette by DeVinePhysiques
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