How to be a Good Gym Friend
Whether you’re an advanced lifter or still a beginner, stepping into the gym can be scary. I still get nervous going to a new gym, and I’ve been working in, or adjacent to, gyms since I was 18!
We’ve all been a beginner or the new person somewhere, at some point, so try to remember how that feels. If you see someone new in the gym, introduce yourself! Sometimes having conversations is a bit easier in CrossFit, weightlifting, or other group exercise environments since people don’t have headphones in as often, but even at a big box gym, it doesn’t hurt to say hi! Making friends makes exercising or training THAT much more fun, so offer a spot, learn some names, and make sure other people feel welcome in that space.
One reason group exercise environments have been so successful is that they offer community. We all want to feel like we belong somewhere! If you’re in an environment like a regular ol gym, the community aspect can get lost sometimes, which means people might be less likely to show up consistently. If you train at the same time of day, what a good opportunity to create some community. :)
In the grand scheme of things, if we want people to be more invested in their health or fitness goals, we need to make sure we’re acting in alignment with that goal. To me, this means that we don’t discriminate against who we allow in our gyms, we use inclusive language, and we actively make people feel welcome. I’m not saying you have to be besties with the people at your gym, but we know that everyone will be more successful with their fitness goals in a more friendly and inclusive environment 😌
TLDR…
if you see someone new, introduce yourself
offer a spot, give a compliment, and learn some names
try to use inclusive and welcoming language
Do you have any other tips on how to be a good gym friend? I’d love to hear them!
Talk soon,
Jory
