Putting the U in Etiquette :

What is it about a testosterone-filled environment of sweaty, grunting men that causes common courtesy to fly right out the window? You've probably seen and no doubt rolled your eyes at these guys and their overly demonstrative shows of manliness, with the grunting, the groaning, the ejection of copious amounts of saliva (and that's not just in the locker room).

Once in the weight room, these are the same guys who'll leave machines loaded with weights for someone else to put away, ignore the sweat slicks they leave on machines and benches and foul the air with body odor that would test the patience of the most extreme fetishist.

For many people, this flouting of society's conventions is the top pet peeve (and turn-off) of the gym experience. And for beginners, being subjected to this type of behavior can really ramp up the intimidation factor. Let's take a look at some of the more blatant gym etiquette faux pas. If you're guilty of at least two of these infractions, perhaps you, too, need a shot of gym courtesy.Rerack your weights: It's the sign that everyone sees but so few actually read: "If You Can Lift It, You Can Put It Away." So simple, so straightforward -- it's almost Zen. But how many times have you gone to use a machine only to find that someone has left his weights for you to put away? Guys walking away from fully loaded machines are a major source of annoyance.

Analyzing the psychology at work here is a waste of time. Whether the perp's motivations are misguided displays of alpha-male dominance or good old-fashioned laziness, it's just wrong. In the end, you'll probably wind up putting his weights away, adding insult to injury in a classic lose-lose situation.

The bottom line is this: Be sure to put your weights away when you're finished using a plate-loaded machine or curling bar. Remember that the next person who comes along may not be as strong as you.

Personal hygiene in a public place: Because of their warm, moist environments, gyms can be an ideal breeding ground for germs and viruses. Fortunately, the majority of gyms do a great job of keeping their facilities clean. But if it's true that cleanliness is next to godliness, some guys are going right to hell.

Gym cleanliness is an important issue for most people. Colds and viruses are easily transmitted in public places like gyms, where a large number of people use the same machinery. So preventing the spread of germs at the gym is as much your responsibility as it is that of the guy sneezing on the dumbbells next to you.

Of course, cold prevention comes down to the common sense stuff, like covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Avoid touching your eyes or nose; wash your hands a lot, and if you're sick, don't go to the gym. By paying attention to your own hygiene, you can help keep the spread of germs in check.

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