Mind Your Gym Etiquettes!!

3 times a week, when I enter the condominium gym and climb the treadmill, my eyes instinctively find the many rule boards dutifully pasted on all the walls- " Gym users must be properly attired at all times", announces one board , "No entering the gym in sandals or swimsuits." The other states the obvious, " Gym users are advised to carry their own towels. " A third asks users to be considerate and limit the use of the treadmill to 30 mins to allow those waiting to have a chance.

Then I look around and wonder about the unwritten rules, the so called gym etiquettes-how many of us bother ourselves with these? 

• When you enter the gym how do you acknowledge the people inside? - with a curt nod of the head (hmmm you are a fitness freak like me, are you?) or a know-it-all smile followed by a smirk (you come here once a month isn't it - and you had to make today that day)? 
• What must be done of those people who stroll on the treadmill or worse when the two aunties on adjacent machines yap away while you wait for your turn?
• How much eye contact must you make with the person using the treadmill near you? 
• How may times should you check your own sweaty, hair swept-up reflection in the mirror and grimace?
• Most importantly, how many times are you allowed to peep to check your partner's workout summary?  To tell the truth, I have been tempted many times and have even managed a few peeps mostly when the other user's eyes are covered with sweat which he/ she is hastily wiping with a towel !!!  More than comparison, I check the stats and follow it up with some mental maths - "this guy is running at a speed of 7.5 at an incline of 8, he has burnt 80 calories in 15 mins, what incline and speed should I use to better him?"  This inspiring peek-a -boo not only helps me climb a few extra metres for a few extra minutes, it helps stave off the intense boredom that strikes me during every workout and that  threatens to throw me off the treadmill ever so often!
• Are you allowed to gloat over the fact that you burnt 100 more calories today than the damsel in those tight shorts?
• Is it ethical to wish silently that - 'the woman who began her workout 20 minutes before you and is nonchalantly carrying on  even though you are now panting like a dog and your legs are threatening to buckle over any time'- breaks her leg while stepping off the treadmill and cannot return to give you an inferiority complex for a  month? 
• Is it ethical to gape at a handsome, hulk who doesn't care for anything in the room but his biceps? 
• Finally, how should you leave the gym- acknowledge those who are still at it or dash out while pretending to take an important call- giving the "I could have exercised for an hour more - only I have more urgent matters to attend"over your shoulder look?

Do you frequent the gym? Have these thoughts crossed your mind? What are your peeves about fellow users? Do you think they care for the unwritten gym etiquettes....do share your thoughts with me.....Till then happy gymming everyone and keep fit!!!