TOP 10 UNWRITTEN RULES of the Gym You Need to Know | Mind Pump 1862

[@rudyspective1870]

THIS SHOULD BE A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT in every gym, and should be played every two hours!! Thank you.

[@BoutDatFitLife]

It still makes no sense to me how majority of gyms I've ever been into only have 1-3 squat racks, but tons of fancy and strange equipment that I've never seen anyone use. We need a full wall of squat racks!! (I'm even talking about brand new gyms.)

[@jlogan2228]

yea, i went to a power lifting and bodybuilding centric gym recently and i LOVED it, except for it was so cramped bc the dude had like 4 hammerstregnth machines that i never saw anybody use and couldve probably lost half the treadmills and ellipticals and nobody wouldve cared. you could barely walk around without bumping into someone or something. THe dumbells were liget one small corner of the place and even though they went up to 200s , when you had 4 people in here at once it was a nightmare trying to do a set.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

At my LA Fitness, they had a giant area filled with machines and a small area with 2 squat racks. I remember having a conversation where I said, "if I was in charge of this gym, I would ditch these Smith machines and get more squat racks.. and take out all of those machines and make it a turf area with kettlebells, a sled and bumper plates." A few months later they did exactly that (coincidentally) and the gym is so much better now. Point is, I think there are some people running gyms who get it.

[@izm4life]

Preach!

[@punbayad3709]

I think this is the only fitness show one needs to watch to avoid the mistakes 99% people make. You're making a big change in people's lives ♥️🙂

[@arrongarcia752]

Lp

[@garagegymgranny1965]

I train in my garage gym with mind pump on the tv and even wear my PJs occasionally. What a perfect environment for training.

[@andrewritter1177]

Every gym noobie should watch this video! Simple but yet golden information

[@jamesg1974a]

Not just newbies. It’s everyone. The amount of people that don’t take care of equipment is staggering

[@lmsm2015]

Great list it’s hard to believe some people are so clueless. Everyone needs to listen to MindPump and get the facts.

[@Selena_MiAmor]

Omg yes 🙌🏼 I have a shirt that says “Rerack Your Weights! You were strong enough to lift’em, You’re strong enough to put’em back.” And omg, I did hiit training and guy next to me dumped cologne on himself giving me a headache …I wanted to say something so bad 🙈 but didn’t. 🥴

[@terpfan2279]

Worst is the leg press idiots who put 9 plates on each side Lift with Zero ROM. Then leave all those plates.

[@katherinespencer8040]

Omg I need that shirt…my gym is the worst with this

[@shmeebs387]

And put them back in the right spot. I lose my mind at my gym because literally every dumbbell is in the wrong labeled spot. If you want 50s for example, you to have to hunt for them because they're guaranteed not to be in a spot labeled "50."

[@ryandeffley7652]

Man..it was surreal listening to this. I've worked in gyms and also been a NASM CPT/PES for 15 years. So hearing other guys relate to all of this from an employee/trainer side is nostalgic. With that said, I've always been thankful to be able to workout during non prime time hours. Most people due to work have to workout early AM or 5pm on. But if you can somehow workout between 11am-3pm it's awesome. LOL

[@johnniefielder1622]

This is a great PSA that needs to be played in each and every gym out there. I wonder if I can hack into the TVs at my gym and put this on repeat for at least a week straight!!

[@IceColdProfessional]

I'm pretty sure fights would break out.

[@ratmajat22]

A lot of this stuff isn’t just gym etiquette, it’s common courtesy. People should be able to assume this stuff the first time they walk onto the floor

[@terpfan2279]

The older you get the more you realize how many people are just oblivious

[@samanthamartinez8643]

It’s unbelievable! 100% agree!

[@wasiqali25]

It feels soo good to hear this kindda podcast discussing what we want to hear and learn

[@tazahsan]

Sal and team, so happy I found you guys and grateful for all the knowledge you’ve given me in general, but especially about less cardio and more muscle building! 😬

[@deejohnson3885]

I love this channel. You need to do a topic of creepy guys staring at you as you do certain exercises especially leg exercises or following you around the gym. Don’t know if this falls into etiquette but it needs to be discussed.

[@nicolesandraperkins]

I've literally watched videos and listened in my car DAILY. I've learned so much! Keep up the awesome work!

[@pribanovaterka]

I have always had good experiences when working in with other people luckily :) But I'd also add a few: - Don't walk over a weightlifting platform (or whatever piece of equipment) right in front of the person who is in the middle of their deadlift set. Respect people's personal bubble if at all possible - Don't go over to tell people, especially not women, how to lift or that they are "lifting too much weight for a woman, they could hurt themselves". Even if you're trying to be nice about it, it's not nice. People who wanna learn/improve will find a way. And how much somebody lifts is none of your business, unless next point: - Know your limits. Don't squat outside the squat rack when there is a bunch of people around you already, with a weight you simply cannot handle for a single rep. You will hurt yourself/other people. - Don't stare at women (duh), but should you decide to approach somenone, you should wait until she's done with her exercise, and obviously be polite and not creepy. I had a young guy approach me once as I was putting my plates away and he was super nice about it, said he sees me there quite often and asked me out for a coffee... unfortunatelly for him I am a bit older than I look and married. But, in my opinion, he did everything right (and I felt super bad afterwards because he just ran away apologizing when I said I was married) I totally agree with the last point, but to my horror I found out there are very many people who say it's the same as women's breasts being "visible" (under a tshirt/top) at all times (not at all the same imo, like wtf, how are we supposed to hide them?!) and would call you a hater (or worse) for saying it's innapropriate, which it totally is. You might as well walk around naked then. Then again, we live in a clown society 🙃 But as always, you guys made my day a little brighter :)

[@troyharrington7043]

I love these quick topic episodes guys! The unspoken rules are key!

[@EriPages]

Thanks bro, this my other account

[@chrisbaerart]

Loving this channel and listening in the car and at the gym. Thanks for the great info. - just getting back into lifting, going five days a week at 5 a.m. and it's great to have something to listen to. Keep up the great work.

[@Prim3e]

Just got back into lifting also, I find going first thing at 5am (same as you) the best because I can get the hardest part of the day out the way

[@alanjoseph3773]

I swear I have been twice as big and twice as happy ever since I started listening to you guys! Can't thank you guys enough 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@theblkgod1]

I’m glad I’m not alone with this 💯

[@graneninsurance3312]

I’ve been listening to you guys for a couple of months now. Thanks so much. Feeling great!

[@darijanjamak2632]

I’m definitely guilty of not putting weight back in the right spot, but I feel like this is something that relies on the effort of everyone in the gym, because if the guys before me has mixed up all the weights in a random order I’m not going to take the time to fix it while I use that bit of equipment.

[@champd12z]

Loved this!! This ep was very hilarious, especially the pic of Sal in the midst of the old naked guys 🤣😂🤣!! Great stuff fellas!!

[@paulp.5462]

This was great. Every gym should put this episode on their tvs.

[@AllDayErrDay.]

Putting your weights back is literally part of the workout. Don't miss out on those small gains. They compound over time.

[@romelonchetty8201]

Great No BS fitness channel. 1 of the few gems out there. Thanks guys

[@scottsmith2724]

Love this! An idea to inform people is for gyms to make videos about gym etiquette and put it up on screens on a loop around the gym with subtitles so people can read it if they have headphones in.

[@m33kzking]

I work as a housekeeper/facility maintenance in a commercial gym. I have seen all these rules broken. I constantly have to re rack weights.

[@terpfan2279]

What. That’s BS. When I was a fitness instructor with the closing shift that was my responsibility. Leaving that to cleaning crew as a no no

[@m33kzking]

@@terpfan2279 what sucks is the cleaning crew get left with a lot of the reorganizing responsibility. Trainers will take out equipment and not put it back. If it wasn't for the pandemic, they probably wouldn't clean it neither.

[@terpfan2279]

@@m33kzking maybe it’s changed since I worked at a big club 15 years ago. But every weight had to be back perfect before I left.

[@m33kzking]

@@terpfan2279yeah it has, there is a higher percentage of people not properly caring for the equipment leaving the job to fall on the facility side of things. Plus, to save money, some management will try to bandaid a problem rather than invest the money to actually fix the solution.

[@Michael-dp5yi]

Just came across this podcast on KZbin. Love it. This is my favorite episode. Common sense at common “You smell offensive” The quote of the year

[@DustinSeale84]

Love what you guys do!!! Have been binging your episodes every chance I can!!

[@samanthamartinez8643]

Me too!!!

[@coacht44]

This... Unspoken gym etiquette is huge! I work at 2 gyms and workout at another and they ALL have at least one issue of what you guys touched on lol. Awesome episode guys!

[@matthewpierce6192]

Watching World's Strongest Man and NFL got me into weight lifting in high school. Now I'm 2 weeks out from my wedding and listening to Mind Pump and Brian Shaw to motivate me to lose weight and get strong to fit my tux! Thank you guys for all the info you provide! God bless!

[@daveua1]

@Captain Obvious apt

[@matthewpierce6192]

@Captain Obvious that would be true if I was just now starting. I'm about 6 months into it so I'm pretty close to my goal!

[@TheSiggy1990]

Found y'all because I was looking for correctional exercises for my P.T. and nutritionist studies...now I listen in religiously for coaching , nutrition, different opinions and ways of thinking about exercises, and the laughs. That's for all the amazing content guys. Keep it up. 🤘💪🤘💪

[@AZ-ze9of]

My dad completely despised a trainer at his gym because he would leave the equipment and weights everywhere. He is a sergeant at the county jail and I’ve never heard him talk as bad about the inmates as much as he did this trainer 😂

[@ultralyrics1]

For some reason trainers leaving their shit everywhere is incredibly frustrating lmao

[@IllWill-hc8ev]

​@@ultralyrics1I think it's because of their title 😂; usually whenever we know someone is certified in whatever said field we don't expect them to break the "cardinal sins" of that particular field. It's like a "you of all ppl should know" type of thing lol.

[@Jose-cb3tj]

the gym that i go to has a very strong, handsome and sometimes delusional guy running things. i love my garage gym.🤣

[@proshit707]

Ha

[@remcorutten4270]

For my the same thing 😂

[@greenglassdoorjigglypuffcl4470]

Same with my basement gym

[@MrAlexg91]

Aww your husband sounds great

[@Jose-cb3tj]

@@MrAlexg91 lol

[@bettyb.3250]

I've been a daily listener for a few years now, and this info is spot on. :-) Being 'gym polite and courteous' is important.

[@emilychenier8424]

Been listening for 2+ years and went on your podcast regarding training while in-season (Ringette/Hockey) and gotta say that I had one of my best season so far and is looking great for me to make the National Team!!! So thankful for your advices as always :)

[@victorb656]

#3 is the main reason I LOVE that my workout is entirely home-based now. Don't "reserve" a machine WHILE YOU LITERALLY GO USE ANOTHER ONE. Can't believe how many assholes actually do this, leaving water bottles/etc. on or near the equipment, then stomping over and complaining if I went ahead and used *a machine that wasn't being used.*

[@Cr33p_Inn_Diss_Guys]

This my first time coming across this channel. The guy with polo had me laughing multiple times. Information and entertaining. Definitely am recommending this video to my personal trainer friend.

[@janfauzt]

Just lately discovered this channel, lots of Gold advice indeed

[@jordanmiller5686]

This episode makes me so grateful for my garage gym. Best investment ever!

[@pats6940]

Great advise and agree with each one. Unfortunately there are people that simply don’t care how they act or smell in the Gym…keep up the amazing content! Just recently purchased Sal’s book The Resistant Training Revolution. On chapter 2 and I’m enjoying it thus far! Thanks guys!✌️🏋️

[@katherinespencer8040]

My gym is horrible with the re racking issue, but as a female in the weight area I have never had an issue with anyone when I ask to work in, or spotting and have found most very supportive.

[@jayphive2468]

I’m loving it!

[@gabeortiz8706]

Love y'all. Been listening 4-5 years. I fell off my fitness around a year ago due to a variety of things coming up in life. I'm prepping for my wedding in November and have been consistent in the gym the past 3 months; diet is dialed in, working through Anabolic for the third time and really focusing on mobility and trigger sessions. I'm noticing significantly less back pain (something I battle with) during squats and DLs. Focusing on mobility with much lighter weight has helped, but I also want to bump my numbers (about to start a bulk) before going into a cut prior to our wedding. Would LOVE Powerlift to help with this! I appreciate y'all. Enjoy your day.

[@amandamallard7636]

Want to piggy back on the smell thing. Perfume/cologne is a no go too! It’s one thing if you’re coming off of work and have a light scent, but I’m a 5am goer and there’s a woman who wears the strongest perfume in the morning. It sucks because I can’t even work out in her vicinity because it makes me nauseous.

[@amandamallard7636]

Ok you guys touched on that, thank you!!!

[@terpfan2279]

Was going to say same thing

[@FaridEmame]

The story of the caution tape was so so so good. That's how you do it. I'm the guy that helps the staff put weights back... more importantly I use extreme sarcasm towards those that blatantly leave shiiit and go. Its everywhere I've been.

[@StonedGoku]

Such a good episode

[@rollupdasushi7831]

I’m fat but I still like listening to your podcast. This particular episode was such a hilarious one I lol’Ed so many times. Thank You for all you guys do💕

[@IllWill-hc8ev]

You don't have to be fat bro u can make the change. We only get one physical prime, why wait for the perfect day that'll never come? I believe in u 🔥

[@bradleypotjer2670]

The equipment hoarding has always been the most annoying to me. I go at 5am and there are usually fewer than 5 people working out but it just takes that one person with severe RBF to lay claim to next few pieces of equipment I wanted. Good PSA and a fun easy-listening episode, thanks guys!

[@kakojestara9908]

The best guys, thank you for everything!!! KEEP IT UP

[@cesarvilla8369]

You guys are amazing! Thank you for all the knowledge that you give out. Im on a 100lbs weight loss and working on strength training now. You guys been an important part of hitting my goals!’ Thank you!

[@thatdannyboi]

I think we can agree that the one rule that’s on the books that all of us are allowed to ignore is the use of chalk. No matter how many signs they put up not to use it, people still do. And the funniest thing I’ve seen, even staff use it too when they train.

[@melanieanastasio9805]

I need to share this with my husband. I set up my garage gym & use it 5-6 days a week. When he uses it, it looks like a tornado ⚠️🌪⚠️ BTW, doing Powerlift Phase 2, wow

[@Muha_t]

dude "vein in your balls" cracked the hell out of me. hilarious! 😂

[@terpfan2279]

Tough for new lifters now that power lifting / cross for more popular. People will take up a squat rack with huge weights on it doing like 6 sets with 4-5 minute rest. Can’t work in and they take it up for 45 minutes

[@Abhi-kf5ku]

May not be an advanced lifter .. but i m proud that I follow the above mentioned gym rules .. 😎😎

[@melindahara9912]

Love this episode! Proper gym etiquette please and thank you!

[@SecondLifeLessons]

I had never worked out in a gym .. I was 30 when i joined.. some of these were literally the first few stuff my trainer told me.. as soon as i signed up 😂 I still remember to this day.. guy was ex military turned personal trainer.. one tough guy.. straight forward.. no BS lol..

[@johncortez8945]

Another great show! Freakin hilarious 😂

[@YouTubecx4]

Perfect topic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@57_priyankdubey63]

thanks, being a newbie, this really helped

[@HellenicWolf]

well said guys, nailed it

[@emilyb.2176]

Great advice and all we’ve seen!! Not sure if that was you Doug but love the meme of Sal and the old dudes! 🤣😂

[@ParkerBG]

Personalized videos! Thanks!

[@genzcurmudgeon8037]

You guys should revisit this topic at the beginning of the new year. It would be great info for all of the new people at my gym who wear strong cologne and don’t put their weights back lol.

[@ryanluce9864]

This is the good side of working out at my house but, I remember the blow dryers needing to have signs because a guy burnt himself for blow drying his stuff its sad they need a sign but sometimes you have to safe people from themselves. I feel if your a first time member that this video should be a must watch before your allowed access.

[@Grimhof]

At my work we have a written rule on hygiene and smelling bad, and part of the rule is shaving your face(we wear respirators). The head of health and safety had to tell a woman to shave her moustache because she failed the fit & seal test. Apparently it was a hormonal condition she had, but he felt so bad for having to tell her.

[@theflyingguillotine3788]

I got so sick of the nonsense at my local gyms that I invested in a home gym. Best decision I ever made.

[@analyticalchick3064]

I've had this weird shoulder soreness since March, so I have just started working out again. I also stopped watching the fitness KZbinrs. It's nice to come back to all of it.

[@carlosdmc5395]

Wish gyms like 24hr fitness LA fitness, planet fitness would listen to guys to get more education in fitness and how to ran their gyms. Awesome content and presented in a funny way too. 👍

[@palimo3653]

16:17 so true! All the good gyms I have been a member of this wasn’t a big problem but the bad ones or ones that went downhill this was a big issue.

[@jamesg1974a]

Culture is everything. If expectations are set and insisted upon then all goes well. If the rules aren’t enforce then it falls apart fast.

[@janelleyu9442]

#7!! Sal, I swear I feel sometimes I have some kind of neon sign for this happen!!! I get sooo frustrated. I wear a cap low, earbuds, no eye contact, at the gym just to train yet…happens every other session.

[@tessajones9393]

The working in thing I wondered about recently as I'm new to the gym. I wanted to do when someone walked away from a machine but left their towel there. *supersetting. I would never do that especially these days when cleaning equipment is important.

[@Princeton_James]

Regarding leaving 1 plate on I only do it on the leg press. That is the only machine. 95% of people coming to these gym would be adding to that weight.

[@steelthedeal2777]

The joy of having a garage gym. Open 24x7. No rules except mine😀

[@RyanDaysSocks]

just discovered you guys, awesome information

[@daviddandrea6491]

On working in: I don't have a problem with it, except typically the kinds of people who want to work in, want to dominate the time. As a physician, not a fan of masking, but a big fan of wiping down the machine with an antiseptic wipe between users. Easy to transmit staph, strep, other bacterial and fungal infections by hands, and now we have to worry about monkey pox, which definitely transmits through fomites, which covid never did. If you work in, wiping down with your sweaty towel isn't going to cut it. On hoarding, this includes "marking" more than one machine at a time so you can do supersets, but nobody else can work on them. You can only use one machine at a time. This one really gets on my nerve.

[@OneWithanOrgan]

I definitely agree that people should clean up their sweat, and that they shouldn't expect a towel service from a relatively inexpensive gym. With that said, something I see very few gyms do is have paper towel dispensers and cleaning spray bottles easily accessible throughout the gym. This should be an industry standard. Crunch does it and they do a $10/mo membership. Of course, some people will still not use them, but many do.

[@ahdumbs1161]

I find when I ask people to work in, most people don’t know what it means. Like they’ll either say yes but then walk away from it as if they’re done or sometimes even say no-depends on the town and the gym. But other times it’s an easy and enthusiastic yes. No matter what, never take it personally

[@gokukakarot1855]

Standing in the No Fly Zone (in front of the DB racks) while doing sets.

[@jimmym0reno]

Great content guys!! 👍🏻

[@juggalogamer8541]

Also the people that when you're on a machine they stand there and stare at you until you get off it's like go somewhere😂

[@vol9329]

16:35 Sounds like a fantastic way to teach a lesson.

[@nicholasingratta423]

Hi,adios episode love it see it everyday

[@kane6529]

I nearly died the last one with the wrestling singlet and the guys who ball veins were showing 🤣

[@Doxsein]

Love this, and I jinxed Sal on the first unwritten rule regarding hygiene haha. I also want to just say to also be mindful if you’re at a gym that has rules about wiping down your machine (I.e. Covid-related reasons) and you’re trying to work in. If it’s a machine for example, I usually will hustle and re-pin the weight, readjust the lever, and quickly wipe the grip/handles so it’s good to go for the other person Edit: you guys touched on my point on rule #5

[@CryptoAshkn]

Great Episode. Definitely the smelly one is the worst

[@gvidales13]

I really like the content that you guys provide. The vast amount of information and the multiple platforms you use is a great way to start the day. Etiquette by the way is my number one judgment on the price I'm willing to pay for a membership at a gym.

[@deldormo7049]

Totally 💯 agree gym etiquette all the way! And you right it's all about the culture of the gym. Then you obviously have your after late patrons come in and I think are the worst because they leave shit everywhere. Love listening to your show from Downunder, Oz. Thanks for the laughs too. 😃

[@heathermannick1573]

#4! Leave something in the tank to rack your weights! When I worked in a gym, part of the job was actually to clean up the floor and re-rack weights people forgot. MOST of the time the weights left out were like 100lb dumbbells a 120lb girl had to clean up. I'm sure they were long gone and didn't even realize or care I would be the one to have to move it all back.

[@caleb484]

That's annoying. Whenever I see the weights arranged according to size, I know someone who isn't as strong as I am had to do that. I make it a duty to re-rack my weights whenever I finish. Anyway to limit the stress for people that run it

[@sunshinelar]

The gym I work at keep ball spray in all the bathrooms. Great idea in theory but the smell of it mix with sweat is like trying to cover up a wet dog smell with perfume not great. Love all these rules, may post a few at gym

[@kylestorey8596]

Thanks for all the great content and discounts you guys offer!! Just picked up the RGB bundle with your guys July promo and ready to start Maps Anabolic after finishing Sal’s 9 week program outlined in his book. Love your guys stuff and look forward to continuing to train and learn with you guys!

[@CastellanSpandex]

When I first started gym training almost 30 years ago, everybody brought and used hand towels to wipe equipment. Now I very rarely see anyone else do it. It's not a lockdown thing, either. It had changed well before then. I don't know why.

[@kyyva4533]

Sal bro that stash suits you brotha ahahahah amazing 👏

[@hockeymomavalon2499]

Thank god I work out in my basement although sometimes I stink myself out!!

[@limitisillusion7]

I like circuits, it'll usually be a compound with a bodyweight exercise like pullups it dips. I might row and bench too, but that's with the same bar

[@jc0609]

I workout at a home gym, so I’m able to avoid a lot of these issues :)

[@stormrhode2330]

This is a good list. I wonder how many gym sins I was guilty of when I was younger. I did one recently and I feel pretty bad about it. I was filming a workout and I had my tripod and planted it kind of obnoxiously. I had a couple of people with me to help me film, too. I wasn't breaking any rules and I was being conscientious about filming others, but in retrospect it was still pretty obnoxious. 😵 I might also add bringing in smelly food and also shouting (grunting and making sounds is fine, but shouting super loudly is obnoxious and potentially dangerous). Maybe also wearing raggedy clothes?

[@mikesaidwhat]

This happens so often that I actually thought it was a gym rule, but apparently, you DON'T HAVE to look at yourself in the mirror between EVERY set

[@AP-vo2mp]

😆

[@Tobias_Kevorkazito]

Good one guys 💪🏻🥊🔥🤘🏻😺