As the saying goes “summer bodies are made in winter”. In case having a summer body isn’t your “all day err day” thing or it’s that recurring new year resolution that just slowly fades away as you approach the end of February: you still get a chance to jump back into it by hitting the gym as winter approaches. Surely winter is the best time as everyone starts to hibernate.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember ever receiving a rule book whenever I signed up for my gym membership. So it is safe to conclude that gyms don’t general handout rule books and if they do, the rules are so dense that you may possibly get lost in all that gym lingo. They kind of just assume, or rather hope, that you’re a decent human being who won’t turn out to be the reason they start losing clients. Relying on common sense can be tricky because like the saying goes…

Common sense is like deodorant, the people who need it most never use it.

The truth is people go to the gym for different reasons; from it being a social hangout place to it being a photo studio for their Instagram and Snapchat accounts. Basically, gyms are meant for working out and to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. But regardless of why we all go to the gym, I think it’s important for you to abide by set standards of behavior to ensure that the gym remains an orderly and comfortable place for everyone despite the stench of sweat that may be lurking in the air.

So here are 6 golden rules of the gym that can save you from being “that guy or girl” in the gym.

1. Keep your bags in the lockers

Bags and towels lying around on the floor are a hazard. You surely don’t want to be responsible for the injury of another patron. So please make use of the provided lockers to store your items even if it is just for that 30-minute HIIT class.

2. Share equipment

The treadmill is not the best place for you to catch up on your favorite series. The equipment is there for EVERYONE to use, so please don’t hog it. It is equally impolite to save machines by placing towels, bottles or anything that gives the impression its occupied, when in actual fact its not. When it comes to the cardio machine make sure that you don’t exceed time limit, which is normally up to 30 minutes, especially during peak times.

3. Don’t give unsolicited advice

Every gym has that know-it-all that goes around dishing out unsolicited advice. So unless you’re on the payroll, please keep your unsolicited wise words to yourself.

4. Dress appropriately

There’s an array of exercise appropriate clothing in the stores, cheap, expensive and everything in between. It is important that you wear the right clothing for whatever exercises you’ll be doing. For example, don’t wear baggy sweatpants for your cardio workout on the treadmill. They can easily get caught in the machines and injure you and/or other people in the gym. Also, your outfit should not be too revealing and distracting other gym goers. Please avoid the borderline X-rated gear that can easily turn the gym into a potential film set for the next adult movie.

5. Grooming before and after the workout is a must

Whether entering or leaving the gym, hell! even during the workout, there’s no excuse for smelling like those gym socks you’ve worn all week. Use clean clothes, take a shower if you must, AND NO, cologne or Eau de anything is not an alternative quick fix. While we are on that note, avoid that cologne and perfume altogether. Odor becomes stronger as we sweat, now imagine that stench mixed with your favorite cologne? Might work for you.

6. Less chitchat, more work out

The gym is NOT a meeting place. If you see someone you know, it isn’t the time to go over and engage in some lengthy conversation. Most people are there to just get their workout done and leave. So greet quickly and move on. If you really need to speak to them, catch them at the end of the workout or make an appointment.

Do your part in making the gym a comfortable and orderly place for everyone. Happy Gyming! ☺

• Njekwa Mwamba @Njekwa264