On the golf course, you know not to talk in someone’s back swing. In tennis, you know to call the ball in or out on your side of the net, and you can expect the same honesty from your opponent. These are examples of etiquette in sports. Did you know the gym has etiquette too?

All of these rules, unwritten or otherwise, will apply in almost every gym you visit. (Except your home gym, you can leave that space as messy as you want)

Much of this gym etiquette centers on the idea that you should always leave your fitness space how you would prefer to find it. You will often find signs in any gym that read “Please re-rack your weights”. This applies to any equipment you have removed from a storage space to use for your workout. Everything, from barbells to bosu balls, should be put back when you’re done using it.

Weight plates are generally stored on weight pegs and trees. You should always take the plates off of the barbell or machine you use and put them back on the weight peg they came from. You should always put plates of the same weight together, the 45 plates go with the 45 plates, not the 25 plates. If a 45 plate is stacked on top of a 25 or a 10, it makes it harder for the next person to find what they need.

On the cable machines, if you want to use a different attachment, you should leave the one you took off of the cable on a designated storage rack for cable attachments, not on the floor. Yoga mats should be kept off the floor when not in use. Resistance bands should be put back when you’re done with them. Space is limited at some gyms, like the JCC, so leaving your gym bag in a locker or cubby will go a long way to keep the walkways open. Following these rules will ensure the gym stays safe and organized and you and everyone else can find what they need.

Another piece of gym etiquette is cleanliness. You should sweat in the gym, but that does not mean you should leave your sweat on every machine you use. This applies to weight machines and cardio equipment. Make sure to wipe down benches, seats, and handles so the machines stay clean for the next person to use. Most gyms have spray bottles or wipes to use. Do not use the wipes on digital cardio screens, however. This will leave them dirtier over time and can possibly damage the screens.

When you interact with others in the gym, be courteous. If someone is using a machine that you want to use, you can wait, find something else to do in place of the exercise, or politely ask to work in. (“Work In” is just gym talk for taking turns). If you’re not sure if someone is using a piece of equipment, ask them. If someone asks you to work in, and it’s not a big deal if they do, let them. And of course, don’t sit on the machines on your phone for too long. The machines are meant for exercising, not for texting.

Follow all of these rules, and you’re sure to make the gym a safer, better place for everyone.