Michigan Gyms Are For Workouts, Not ‘Camping’

If you go anywhere frequently you're bound to end up becoming annoyed by the behavior of those that aren't regulars. Certain locations have unwritten rules that one must follow. Gyms are one of those places.

No one should ever feel like they can't go to a gym. You may think that it's just filled with meatheads or fitness models who have nothing better to do than stare at themselves in the mirror while they squat and judge everyone else around them. Some health clubs even go so far as to brand themselves "Judgement Free".

If you are being judged it's more than likely because you are making odd noises, you're using equipment in a new and odd way, or you're "camping". "Camping" will lead to dirty looks or eye-rolls.

You see gym campers will sit or stand on or by a machine, rarely using it for it's intended purpose. More than likely the 'camper' is scrolling, texting or talking on their phone and not paying attention to the people who keep walking by wondering if they're done.

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Regular fitness enthusiasts applaud anyone showing up to the gym. Newcomers just need to be aware that other people need the equipment they're on and the other person may be dealing with a time crunch.

If you've been going to the same gym for a while, pay attention to the most used equipment. Most gyms will find someone waiting for a smith machine or rack and the dual cable station (pictured below).

A lot of people will get dirty looks at the dual cable station because they are doing a single cable exercise in the dual area. For example:

In the picture above the man is using the center of the dual machine cable to do a single cable exercise. There are single cables on the outside of the machine that are there for just that kind of work. The center, however, is reserved for:

Dual cable exercises. Single use the outside, dual goes inside.

If you follow this simple piece of advice chances are you will get fewer perplexed looks from your fellow gymgoers.