There’s a surprising number of ways to be rude with treadmill use at the gym; chances are you’ve breached one of these rules of etiquette with the treadmill.
If you’re a treadmill user, it’s so important to be aware of treadmill etiquette.
There are so many ways a person can be inconsiderate when using this particular piece of equipment at the gym.
In no particular order, here are the top treadmill etiquette infractions that I’ve observed over the years, at many different gyms (these behaviors are universal):
Leaving the treadmill up at a high incline after exiting it.
Instead, reset it back to zero for the next person.
Leaving germy junk in the treadmill’s cup holder.
This includes used tissue paper, empty cups and bottles, and gum wrappers. Yuck.
Using a treadmill that, due to a malfunction, creates a loud squeaky noise.
This typically occurs even when several other machines are available.
The noise signals that the equipment needs servicing and thus, should not be used.
Before using a treadmill, turn your headset off, in the event that a loud headset would muffle the machine’s squeaking. This way you’ll know if there’s a problem.
Creating a loud, squeaky noise by allowing your feet to strike the juncture of the tread belt and machine’s base up front.
This only happens when people hold onto the equipment, a bad habit that’s not even necessary beyond the brief heart rate check or to momentarily steady yourself.
Jogging like an elephant.
Ironically, these guilty joggers are not heavy people! Often, they are lean, and the speed isn’t necessarily fast; sometimes it’s 5 or 6 mph. So why do they sound like elephants?
Though some treadmills have defective belts that create thunderous noise no matter how delicate the user, I have witnessed plenty of times someone’s feet slamming with each stride, yet on that very same treadmill, I have witnessed other users, including heavier ones, make a fraction of the noise while using the same speed or faster.
I’m banking that these users figure that the louder their feet are, the harder or more effective the workout.
But hitting your feet hard to the tread will not increase the effectiveness of the workout.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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