Are you following unspoken rules at the gym?

Ara recreation team lead, Craig Maguire has managed gym spaces for a decade - so he knows a thing or two about how to be a good gym citizen.

When asked what his biggest pet peeve was when it comes to the gym there are two clear standouts. “Not putting away your toys and not cleaning the equipment after yourself”.

Being the team lead, he says it can be challenging when coming across bad gym citizens. 

He also thinks it is important to remind people that they are in a shared space and to act responsibly.

Deeper than this there is also a risk of exposure to injuries and germs, Maguire says.

Whether you're an avid gym goer or are looking to get started, Maguire highlights that a clean, healthy and safe gym is what to look out for. 

Unspoken gym rules:

• Don’t take lots of photos in other peoples personal space

• Don’t take photos in gym bathrooms (generally not allowed for privacy reasons)

• Don’t leave your weights unracked

• Always clean the equipment

• Don’t leave your personal belongings scattered around the gym

• Don’t listen to your music in the shared gym space, instead use headphones

• Don’t arrive with excessive body odour

• Come to the gym in appropriate clothing

Maguire says being in a safe gym has wider impacts on your mental health and physical health. This is something that we explore further in a tv story about gym culture on Youtube: (2) New Zealand Broadcasting School at Ara - YouTube

Let us know your thoughts at metronews@ara.ac.nz