Gym Locker Room Etiquette: Unspoken Rules Of Shared Spaces

You shouldn't start a protracted, noisy phone discussion or hang out in the locker room with your filthy laundry. Furthermore, taking up too much room may make it difficult for other members to get the equipment they require. A student in NAIT's personal fitness training program named Kristen Hansen offers advice on how to behave properly in the locker room.

1. Avoid chatting on the phone.

In general, it's recommended to refrain from using a phone in the locker rooms of gyms. Most people want to get in and out quickly to return to their workouts, and the space is too small for loud chats. In the same way, having lengthy discussions with other members in the locker room can make them feel vulnerable and uneasy. Keep your deep conversations for after your workout.

2. Avoid hogging locks.

It should go without saying that it's not cool to hoard lockers in the gym locker rooms during busy hours. This may irritate other participants and encourage theft. Your shoes in the corner, jacket on a seat, or used towels in the trash are rude. It's preferable to store everything when your workout is over.

3. Avoid leaving towels on the ground.

A locker room's floor is a veritable laboratory for bacteria, mildew, and pathogens. It's advisable to keep towels off the floor, especially when there are showers nearby. Similarly, it's not fashionable to go around in your underwear while getting dressed. That's the purpose of the restroom cubicles! If necessary, encircle yourself with a towel. Don't urinate in the shower cubicles, either. That is disgusting to all of us.

4. Take care not to leave towels on benches.

Having hand towels available makes it possible for members to clean themselves and their equipment without having to go look in their lockers. They can also easily throw their used towel in the trash instead of leaving it on the bench. You should treat the gym with respect, even though it's not your house. It's okay to take a quick shower, but don't stretch out on a bench and browse through your phone as though it were a den sofa.

5. Avoid putting towels in the sinks.

In gym locker rooms, it's advisable to refrain from putting towels on the sinks. This is an encouragement for bacteria and other pathogens to remain, particularly under these humid and warm conditions. It also undermines the feeling of seclusion that is intended to be provided by locker rooms. Not everyone desires to be in a public setting when completely nude and drenched in perspiration.