But good gym etiquette is so uncommon these days that Letitia Baldrige, author of Complete Guide to the New Manners for the '90s, plans to include a chapter on it in her next book. They're always telling these horror stories. That means returning free weights and weight plates to their racks. They like to leave 350-pound and up weights on the leg press machines when they are done, leaving those of us who are more vertically challenged and not quite as strong, to take each of these weights off the machines. Dianne Thomas, who lifts weights at YMCAs in the Charlotte area, agreed.
Men have their complaints about the weight room too.
Warren, a utility company supervisor, is bothered by people who don't let others work in between sets, who spit on the handlebars to get a better grip and who socialize with friends while others are waiting. N.C. Before taking over a piece of equipment, look around to make sure the current user hasn't just walked to the water fountain between sets. If you're waiting for someone to finish, stand back a bit. No one likes to be hovered over while working out. Dropping the weights is not good for the equipment or for nearby ears.