'Nobody at my gym cleans the dumbbells': 20 Gym gripes for people who don't hog the machines

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

Sep 13, 2024 5:00 PM EDT

These people just want to work out, but they're having trouble due to… the other people at the gym.

Going to the gym can be really motivating. You can go with a friend so that you can talk while you work out. Some people like to go alone and listen to a podcast while they run or some music while they lift weights. There's often a community of dedicated gymgoers who come in every morning or night hoping to become healthier. But it's not all fun and games, because some people are not versed in gym etiquette, and they're making it a worse experience for everyone else around them.

One major red flag is people who refuse to wipe down the machines when they're done. Lots of gyms keep spray bottles and paper towels around so that you don't have to sit in the previous person's sweat. However, some folks will just ignore that, blissfully going from machine to machine, leaving other people to clean up after them. Some people hog the weights---instead of leaving them for other people, they'll steal them for hours while they do their reps. And still others love to sit on the various machines, not working out, just chilling and texting. (If you're reading this article, I know you don't do that, because you're a cool chill person who gets how gyms work. But if not… just keep scrolling below to see exactly what you shouldn't be doing!)

After that, this mom is wondering if she made the right choice by letting her forgetful daughter miss out on a school trip abroad.