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Thanks for all your well wishes and blessings to feel better yesterday.  I did in fact end up at the gym.  Genki Husband came home from work and I was ready to go – just a benefit of being vegan is healing faster than others.  (Sleep helped a lot too!)  Lately our workouts include around 30 minutes lifting weights, targeting different muscle groups and 30 minutes of cardio.  If you know how to efficiently plan your workouts, it does not require one to have to spend hours in the gym.  Personally I’m a gym bunny and love taking my time working out on a normal basis but since I started working out with Genki Husband, we tend to work out just an hour to something of two hours on the weekends, 6-7 days a week.

As I was saying though, last night while in the gym at our normal time, I noticed all the faces were completely different people.  All too fast I was reminded that many people are trying to stick to his/her New Years Resolutions.  It’s wonderful and I would encourage all of you to keep with those resolutions!  Unfortunately in our gym, it is for our gated community only which allows any member over 16 to pay for membership and enter.  This leads to a lot of high school students in January to enter and play around on the machines. It’s a big frustrating as I almost actually knocked a girl out while lifting weights (no, it’s not a good idea to walk directly 1 cm from someone’s lifted free weight).  While it’s fantastic everyone is working towards the common objective of health, it is smart to learn proper gym etiquette.

Here’s some of my favorite tips:

1.  Don’t invade someone’s space bubble:  Keep a good distance from others while working out to avoid injury.  (like a free weight coming towards your head)

2.  Leave the cell phone at the door:  The gym is for working out your muscles, this does not include your mouth muscles.  No one wants to listen to your conversation.

3.  Obey time limits on machines:  Most gyms do have ‘rush hour’ time limits to assure everyone can use a machine.  The gyms I have used normally stated 30 minutes or less on machines such as elliptical and treadmills.  I’ve also heard some have signup sheets that require you to put in your wanted time frame.  Double check with your gym.

4.  No Flirting:  A gym is where people go to workout and get healthy, not to find a date.  There is nothing more annoying than someone flirting and trying to impress others while walking on a treadmill when you want to run for training.

5.  Remember Proper Hygiene:  It’s the gym and you are going to sweat so you might as well take the few extra minutes to wipe down the machine after using it.  Many gyms will have wipes available sitting around- ask if you don’t see any.  I’ve gone as far as carrying around a tub of my own just in case.

6.  Don’t wear Perfume/Cologne:  Again the gym is for getting health, not to flirt with others.  Strong scents can really give breathing issues to those gasping for fresh air so just leave it for after your workout.  Do wear deodorant though!  Additionally, do not smoke and walk right into the gym to workout.  That smell lingers and some people are allergic.

7.  Wear Clean Workout Clothes:  Again, fresh air is required for a healthy body.

8.  Cover Up Already, Wear Clothes that Fit:  No one wants to see your Size Double D’s hanging out of a size B bra while running.  Additionally, guys keep your shirts on while in the gym.

9.  Keep your eyes on your prize:  Shifty eyes aren’t appealing to others while working on the machine.  Again, the gym is there is get health, not compete.  If you want to compete with the person on the next treadmill, why not just join a marathon.  No one wants to be judged.

10.  Don’t stare:  Seriously I can’t name how many times I have felt uncomfortable with people starring at me while working out – especially while training on the treadmill.  This goes for you machine lurkers – you can wait for a machine to free up but don’t lurk behind someone and stare at them.