I’ve noticed a few things since I’ve started working out at the gym here in Hammarby Sjöstad. Some of the good, a lot of them bad, mostly due to the poor gym etiquette. Here is my list on gym etiquette.

  1. When I’m lifting weights, there is no need to walk in-front of me while I have heavy weights in my hands. I’m busy focusing on my form and and ensuring I don’t injure myself. Can you not wait until I’m done my set (usually 10-15 reps) and then walk past or pickup your weight? This goes as well when I’m on the bench as well. I may spring forward and want to put the weights down.
  2. When in the free weight room, WEAR SHOES! Really! I’ve dropped enough weights on my feet to know it hurts, and that is when I was wearing shoes. Wearing socks or going bearfoot is begging to get injured. If I drop weights, they slip, you trip, stub your toe, you’re gonna get hurt. 25kg plate fall on your toes/foot? It won’t be pretty!
  3. Curling at the bench or power rack. Really? Do you need a 20kg bar then put on an additional 5kg to curl. First your form is horrible, swinging and your using your back. Second, use the preachers bench or the smaller bars! I promise you, if you watch your form and cut the weight, you’ll see better results! There is only one bench and one power rack, and let the big boys use their toys. And with that, no matter how much you work your arms, you’ll end up like a light-bulb looking goof! Work your legs out too!
  4. Farting. I understand the occasional one slips when your lifting heavy weights, yeah it’s a lot of pressure and you need to focus your energy. It happens, I’ve done it. However, not when I was curling 10kg and then laughing about it with my buddies, who then join in. Really!?! Pretty freaking rank and rude.
  5. Gym fashion. I don’t care that I work out wearing sweats. It’s comfy and feels good. I go to the gym to work out, not style the most recent fashion from Paris, London or Stureplan. If you wanna show your fashion off, head to the clubs or the catwalk.
  6. When I’m spotting my partner, don’t ask me to move. I’m in position trying to make sure he can workout safely and effectively. Asking me to move is not only rude, but dangerous, especially when he’s lifting heavy on his 3rd or 4th set near his last rep. Wait the whole 10-15 seconds or walk around. It’s really not that difficult. How would you like it if I asked your spotter to move and you dropped the weight on yourself? Not fun at all.

Mostly I blame this on the people who go there…. the stekares. I’ve been told other gyms are not as bad, and when I relocate, I’m sure I’ll find a better gym, one with more free-weights and people who love to lift properly. I’m not saying this is a Swedish thing, I’ve seen gyms like this back home, but damn it’s annoying.

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