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Nutrition Warehouse, one of Australia’s top providers of premium sports nutrition, has partnered with marathon runner, fitness enthusiast, and founder of Etiquette Expert, Jo Hayes to reveal the top five worst gym habits.

The new study by Nutrition Warehouse analysed the real-life opinions of gym-goers over the last 12 months and pinpointed the most annoying gym habits. Partnering with Hayes, Nutrition Warehouse also offers guidance on good gym manners and etiquette.

Hayes advises “Good manners demonstrate respect, courtesy and consideration for oneself and others - and these characteristics are the nutrient-rich soil from which healthy interactions/relationships grow. The golden rule for the gym, as in all life situations: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Hayes, recognising the importance of good social habits, especially as new members sign up this January to meet their New Year resolution fitness goals notes “with people receiving gym memberships as Christmas gifts, and people signing themselves up as part of their New Year resolutions/goals, we typically see a spike in new members. This can often make gyms busier than normal, which means a greater awareness/demonstration of courtesy and consideration is essential.”   

Top Five most annoying Gym Habits

1. Poor Hygiene
Not wiping down machinery, picking noses, and leaving towels and other used items around are some of the most common ways gym users describe poor etiquette at the gym.

Hayes comments “Doing our best to maintain good hygiene is essential, for the physical health of all gym goers. Ensure gym clothes and towels are clean (this means washing after every workout). Wipe down your face/skin/body with your towel during your workout, so you’re not putting drenched-with-sweat skin on gym equipment.

“Use antiperspirant deodorant. This should go without saying - but it must be said. As per number one, no one wants to work out near a smelly person. Use body spray as appropriate, but make sure it’s not too overpowering. Make use of hand sanitisers stationed throughout the gym and wipe down gym equipment after use.” 

2. Being Untidy or Messy
Using gym equipment and leaving it on the floor, or not where it is supposed to be, leaving locker rooms a mess, and spilling drinks are some of the most common complaints under this category, and is the second biggest gym nuisance.

Hayes explains “a messy gym not only makes workouts more difficult with things not being where they should be, but it creates visual chaos for gym goers - making the gym experience unpleasant” and recommends “kindly, calmly, but clearly, approach the person, and explain what they’re doing and how it’s impacting you/others. 

“Clear up your belongings, put gym equipment back after use and, if you see some things in places they shouldn’t be, it doesn’t hurt to put it back in its right spot regardless of who left it out. Look out for each other. Most importantly, if you see a hazard, like water spills near a treadmill, alert the staff at the gym to clean up the spillage as this could be a potential hazard.”

3. 'Hogging' Machinery
A common complaint from the 12-month analysis was around gymgoers sitting on a machine and scrolling social media, or taking selfies when there is a queue waiting to use the machine or equipment.

Hayes adds “a person hogging machinery shows a supreme lack of self-awareness, courtesy and consideration for others. If there’s a queue for a piece of equipment, this is not the time to check your socials. Do your thing, and get moving.

“People hovering nearby, or lining up near you, and giving your sour looks, should be a telltale sign that you’re hogging a machine. Be kind, calm and clear. Use your words. Don’t hover, huff and puff, and give them sour looks - communicate your needs in a nice way.”

4. Being too loud
Common complaints included singing shouting or conversing too loudly to the point of it being a nuisance.

Hayes notes “the gym is often time-out, ‘me-time’, for gym goers. They’ve had a long day at the office, and just want to get pumping/running/cycling without people chattering loudly around them. Again, loud conversation, singing, and generally impacting others with one’s behaviour, is supremely poor gym etiquette. It demonstrates a lack of courtesy, consideration and respect for others. 

“If you love chatting while you work out, perhaps consider a group class or run club where chatting is encouraged.”

5. Being Disruptive
Gym-goers describe this as being in the way of other people who need to use the space you’re in, interrupting exercises without good reason, or using the gym to flirt.

Hayes explains “being disruptive in the gym, showing a lack of courtesy and consideration for others, makes for an unpleasant experience for other gym goers. It’s rude and demonstrates poor manners and a lack of awareness of appropriate gym etiquette. 

“I like to remind clients that most people are not intentionally being rude. They may simply be unaware, and communicating to them how their behaviour is impacting those around them is the charitable thing to do, both for them, yourself, and others. Speak up. Communicate clearly. But, again, if you’re not comfortable speaking to someone about their behaviour, speak to the gym staff and ask them to intervene.” 

Methodology: This data examined the complaints from gymgoers on X spanning the past 12 months to deliver the current most annoying gym habits. The rank is determined by the number of complaints.

Nutrition Warehouse was founded 16 years ago by World Champion bodybuilder Grant Mayo, it operates 116 stores across Australia, one in Auckland NZ, and online stores both sides of the Tasman. With a wide range of high-quality supplements-like protein powders, vitamins, and wellness products-Nutrition Warehouse fuels athletes and wellness seekers alike.

More information on Nutrition Warehouse

Image credit Shutterstock. 

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