Absolutely Positive

You know all about the absolutely horrible gym habits. Those things that totally irk your every fiber…you know what they are. I think my teeth grind when people casually chat on their phone, camp out at machines, don’t wipe up sweat, and don’t re-rack (I really shake my fist at those people). We can easily spend a lot of time thinking about all those things that gets our blood boiling; so much so that we forget about the simple things that people do that can change an experience for the better.

The biggest thing for me after any given workout is knowing that I was able to do all of the things that I set out to do. It’s not necessarily important to me that I make friends at the gym. Bluntly, that’s just not why I’m there. I have my headphones on and I’m putting myself in the zone. That being said, a good attitude surrounding you only enhances your own drive and chances are strong it’ll contribute to you returning to the gym another day. Here are some of the more solid things I’ve seen:

1. You might be a great lifter/runner/spinner/body combatant, but there’s almost always someone else (or even several other) fellow gym folk that you really respect. You see them go to work and make things happen. You might not know them all that well (or at all) but you know who they are. That person walked up to me the other day after I pushed through a last rep, nodded at me, and gave me a fist bump. No words said. I tried to stay fairly emotionless about the exchange but I was running laps! My attitude changed for the rest of the workout, and I had one of the best sessions I know I’ve had in a long time. I’d suggest doing this to others, sparingly though. It has to mean something when it happens or it’s just an empty gesture. Take time occasionally to recognize the success and struggle of others. Speaking personally, it will go a long way.


2. Arnold Schwarzenegger loses tone every time you forget to wipe up your bench sweat! Granted, we’re not always perfect, but I get heated when I see a bench have an outline of a body that just came out of the pool and the guy walks away. What’s up with that!? No one needs to go get ringworm from the gym, or whatever the old saying is. Anyway, I’ve jumped in and wiped up my bench before someone else sits down and they have always been grateful. General courteousness keeps others invested.


3. This next thing I endorse under very rare circumstances, but it’s something that can be abundantly necessary, not just for physical safety reasons but also for the psyche of the lifter. When necessary, take a split second to help someone get that last rep up or just stay stable. I can count two times for me (both on seated shoulder press) where someone has come over to make sure I can get the weight moving in just the right direction. It’s a tactic that is not always welcome, so you just have know the situation and the atmosphere. If you notice someone can’t set the weight by themselves to even get started moving, it definitely cannot hurt to offer ‘a quick lift-off’. Remember earlier when I said that the biggest thing for me is doing those things I set out to do? Sure, you’re not necessarily helping yourself, but you’re doing a fellow gym pal a fine favor that might mean a good deal to them. Even more, they might have an eye out to help you the next time around.         
   

In any event, I'm really interested in anything you have ever seen or experienced that you think is a positive gym habit. Please comment below to share your experience! Getting your thoughts out there might encourage others to do some of the positive things that you want to see happen more often where you workout!