Gym goers in Hong Kong might find themselves navigating through multiple sets of rules as they go to different gyms. It can be stressful to not know the unspoken rules or how to behave at the gym. I understand that as a newcomer, most of us just want to act as normal and not stand out. This article can help you fast-track the rules and prepare yourself before your first gym session!
All gyms
- Wear appropriate clothing
This is to protect yourself from having fabric stuck in some equipment, or flesh if you were not wearing anything. Shoes can protect you if you drop weights or barbells when you do a sumo deadlift. Denim would not be a good choice of clothing for beginners as the fabric is stiff, providing little room for mobility.
- No unsolicited advice
It is fair to assume most people want to work on their own stuff. Powerlifters have an arch when they bench and they do not need another person to tell them it will hurt their back.
- Wait for your turn to use the equipment
It is best that you wait for your turn as other people before you might have waited for a while too!
- No hoarding equipment
If you have more than 3 sets of dumbbells, some members may find it very obnoxious! Spreading your belongings around the gym to prevent others from using machines is also considered very rude.
- Don’t talk to the person with a cap or headphones on
Those people have inner demons, getting through a tough time or just wore that combo to make sure nobody would talk to them.
- Don’t stand in other people’s mirror’s space
It is an unspoken rule that people have their own mirror space, so please be aware of where you stand! Make sure you do not piss someone off by standing directly in front of them.
- Put things back to where they belong
This is common gym courtesy. At Anytime Fitness Yuen Long, they put up signs saying that they would charge a $500 fee for cleaning up if you misplace weights.
Commercial gyms’ unspoken rules
- No filming
Some commercial gyms have a strict no filming policy. This is to protect their members from being caught in random footage and published without consent. Personal trainers usually will stop the member once they see one walking around with a tripod.
- No unsolicited advice unless you are qualified
It is fair to assume that most people in commercial gyms are lone wolves. Personally, I do not appreciate it when people approach me at the gym as time is very precious for me. It is better to focus on your own work out than give unsolicited advice if you are not qualified.
- No chalk
Most commercial gyms do not provide brushes for members to clean up the potential mess one may cause using chalk. In independent gyms, we see vacuum cleaners and other cleaning tools. So, if you wish to use chalk, you might want to visit independent gyms instead.
- For your own sake, don’t stare excessively
There is a rise of social media influencers filming themselves at the gym and victimising themselves. To protect yourself, it is best to not stare at one person for a prolonged period of time. Apart from that, staring at someone for too long will cause them discomfort (who knew?).
Powerlifting gyms’ unspoken rules
- Yes Chalk! And clean up your chalk!
As some lifters lift monstrous weights without gloves or straps, chalk can help lifters get a better grip! Usually, powerlifter gyms provide chalk for lifters. Look around and you’ll probably find a bowl somewhere with it! However, make sure you clear up the excess chalk on the bar, floor or bench.
- Yes camera!
Powerlifters are known to be obsessed with form. You have to expect to see a lot of cameras pointing in different directions and you might get caught in someone else’s footage!
- Play music, the gym is not a library
Gyms like HourX allow members to connect to the gym’s bluetooth speaker system. So, blast away!
- It is okay to observe but no creeping
Powerlifters are a helpful crowd and they do like to observe other people’s form. I’d say it is okay to observe and learn new techniques as long as the interaction was not creepy.