Before you wonder about what sweat etiquette rules for the gym might be, take a minute to remember how grossed out you get when a sweaty, smelly guy does squats right next to you in the gym.
Buckets of sweat deposited on the gym floor, is no one's idea of a pleasant workout experience. Also, sweat stains on workout machines and equipment could even be a cause for concern when it comes to bugs and infections. Here are four very important sweat etiquette rules for the gym.
1. Plan to stick around at the gym after a workout? Take a shower first. Most gyms today come with juice bars, wifi hotspots, cafes, even hang-out zones and consultation areas. If you've just finished sweating it out, go take a shower before you sit around at any of these places.
2. Carry a workout towel and a bath towel to the gym. You need to worry about the transmission of viruses or bacterias if you constantly touch your nose, ears, mouth or any cuts before you wash your hands after using gym equipment. In order to keep germs and sweat at bay, carry two different colour towels. Keep them handy. Use one colour towel for yourself when you are on a treadmill and wipe your sweat with it, the other one can be kept safely in your gym locker and must be used after you are done gymming.
3. Join a clean gym. Make sure that the gym you join is cleaned on a daily basis by either an antiseptic or a bottle of disinfectant spray.
4. Try and converse with your trainer(s). Make sure you ask your gym trainer not only about the different exercises you'll be performing but also when was the equipment you are about to use last cleaned. Bacteria can reside anywhere from a few hours to a few days, once settled on weights and gym machines. Sweat can lead to Hepatitis B and a host of other diseases which can be transmitted from one person to another, especially when gym equipment is used by so many people time and again.
One last word of advice: When you are done gymming, please make sure that you haven't left any sweat marks for the next person to remember you by! Happy exercising!
