This morning I went to the gym and as I was working out I was thinking about the blog for today. While doing a floor exercise my muse appeared. Her face was painted like a clown, with blush cheeks and eyes shadowed blue. Workout apparel consisted of a spandex tube top and spandex shorts, both of which accented her flab. Her shoes were brown loafers with black socks to "match." Bingo. I got an idea. How about the five rules of gym etiquette? At least my "fave five" anyway.
1. Dress appropriately--By the time we are allowed to work out at a gym we are supposed to be adults. Dress like it. Wear comfortable clothes but don't dress like you are going clubbing. Keep in mind that when you are working out you might be in a position where shorts ride up or tops come down. One time I saw a woman at the gym doing a swiss ball exercise and she was wearing loose shorts. She might as well have been naked. I'm not saying you have to look like a nun, but there are plenty of styles of workout clothes that show off without showing everything. Check out www.Zappos.com and you'll find what you need. Also, skip the makeup and perfumes. People are working out and using oxygen and when you wear that junk they are breathing it in. If you plan on breaking a sweat your makeup will run off anyway so wait until after your work out before putting it on.
2. Don't come to the gym sick--With the fall season upon us, the flu is lurking waiting to pounce on us when we least expect it. If you are working out regularly you are more susceptible to the flu because your immune system is down. When you work out you stress your body. While your muscles work harder, so does your immune system. If you should happen to get the flu in the middle of a workout program STAY HOME! A workout is not going to help and don't think that sitting in the gym's sauna or spa will help either. All you'll do is spread the virus around. With flu season here, just make sure you get your flu shot, wash your hands, and stay hydrated.
3. Don't socialize--This is my favorite. When I go to the gym I'm there to workout and get on with my day. Lucky for me, I work out in a large facility and do exercises that not too many other people do, so I don't have to jockey for equipment. I always have to shake my head, however, at the people who sit on a machine or bench and carry on a two to three minute conversation with someone else in between sets. Sometimes I'll see a group of three people standing in a workout area and they will talk the entire time I am working out. What are you there for again? To work out. Run your mouth later. Usually if I see someone I know, I'll politely say "Hi, how are you?" They respond and we move on. If I happen to see them after a work out and we are both finished I'll walk over to some out of the way area and talk but never while I'm working out. I always wear a watch with a stop watch function and in between sets I rest for a minute or less. Doing this keeps me on schedule and makes my workouts more efficient.
4. Respect the equipment--Treat your gym like it's...well...yours. Put your toys back when you are done playing with them. When using free weights don't drop them. If you can't put the weight down easily then you're not working out right. Make sure you know how to use a machine before you get on it. Some of those things look kind of complicated and if not used right could injure you. When you leave a machine wipe it down, get your water bottle and move on.
5. Pay attention--Working out is an individual thing. No one makes you go but you and no one does the exercising but you. Yeah, you can get a trainer, but a trainer is just a coach or mentor. The responsibility of exercising falls on you. It is real easy to throw on the iPod and headphones and get in the "zone." While in the "zone" though it is important to pay attention to the things going on around you. There is a lot of activity in a gym. People are running around, weights are going up and down, and unfortunately some people are in the way. Make sure you are paying attention to all of these things so you can navigate them safely.
Ok. I got that off my chest. As an outro, after my workout today I made "The Ultimate Smoothie." I love this thing and so do my kids. Here is the recipe:
1 packet of carnation breakfast drink(no sugar added mix)
1 cup of orange juice
1 six ounce yogurt(strawberry banana, vanilla, or peach)
4 frozen peach slices
3 frozen strawberries
1 banana
Put in a blender and mix on high for a minute. Pour in a pint glass and enjoy! Until tomorrow..Peace!
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