Keep conversations to a minimum

Remember that people are there to work out, not to exhange small talk. A few words of conversation are okay, but people generally don't welcome extended conversations from strangers. This is especially true when they're lifting weights, as experienced gym rats typically rest for only a minute or so between sets.

What if you're doing cardio work instead? Inexperienced gym users may find themselves becoming bored after a few minutes on the elliptical trainers, treadmills, or exercise bikes. At that point, they may decide to chat up the person next to them. What they don't realize is that many gym members don't welcome this intrusion, especially since a heavy cardio workout can demand intense concentration.

It's especially tempting when the other person has a book or a magazine in front of them. After all, “Say, whatcha reading?” seems like a perfectly innocent way to start a conversation. Don't do it. If they've got a book or a magazine open, it's because they're interested in reading, not in making small talk. Don't bother them.

No loud conversations

If you do decide to converse with someone, keep your voices to a moderate level. Trust me; nobody wants to hear you talking loudly across a room. As I said, working out often requires concentration, and loud conversations tend to be both distracting and annoying.

If you're both working out at opposite ends of the room, please wait until you're done with your workouts, or until you're both resting between sets. Then you can chat with each other from a moderate distance.

No darned profanity

I've seen it happen far too often. A bunch of guys run into each other at the gym, and before you know it, they're hurling the S-word and the F-bomb all over the place.

Be better than that. Please remember that the gym is a public place, not a private sanctuary. You never know who will be walking by – or even if the other people around you would appreciate hearing such language. What's more, the excessive use of foul language in public tends to reinforce certain negative stereotypes about athletes and other exercise enthusiasts.

Watch for visual cues

Instead of just chillin' on the same machine in between sets, experienced gym rats will often walk away from the equipment they're using for a minute or so. They do this to promote blood circulation, and maybe evento burn a few calories. Often, they leave a towel or water bottle behind as a sign that they are still using that machine.

In such situations, it's best to ask this person if you can squeeze a set in, especially if you see a telltale towel or bottle by the machine.

No lounging!

Some of the most aggravating people at the gym are the ones who sit around on benches or the machines for extended periods. A few of them will even show up in jeans or other street clothes, just playing around. Some of them might indeed be working out, but then they'll sit around for five minutes or so, chatting with their friends. Don't be that type of person. Don't hog the equipment, especially if you're not using it in earnest.

As I said, experienced exercise enthusiasts know that walking around for a while can make their workouts more effective. Moreover, it also gives other people a chance to get some exercise in as well. And if you'd rather not walk around, for fear that someone else will jump in, then keep your rest periods short. 60 seconds is usually plenty of time to rest, especially when you're not working with extra-heavy weights.

There is more that can be said about proper gym etiquette — certainly more than can be covered in a brief article. Still, these simple guidelines alone can help make your workout experience more pleasant for everyone.