Unspoken rules of the fitness center
Nicole Hayes
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: Columns
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The air is moist and the smell of sweat lingers. The soft humming of the machines and the noise of five televisions mixed together are the only noises in the Bob Rosencrans Fitness Center at Wittenberg.
The students, however, are not making any noise. As they work out, many students listen to their iPods or watch the television nearest them while drifting off into their own world. If someone talks to them while they are working out, about half of the students get annoyed. Students either hate someone talking to them or don't care either way. This is one of the unspoken rules of etiquette present in the Fitness Center. Some of them have to do with common courtesy.
"When the Fitness Center is most crowded, students should be aware of the time they spend on each machine; 45 minutes is a reasonable amount," said Alyssa Bray, Wittenberg junior and HPERC employee.
Another rule of etiquette is to give students space when they are using a machine. "I hate when people hover or check my speed while waiting for a machine rather than asking me when I'll be done," said sophomore Sam Mohr.
There are also rules of etiquette when it comes to the weight machines themselves. Students cringe when someone bangs the weights and some get annoyed when the person before them leaves weights on the machine or bar.
Several students also confessed to becoming competitive with the person next to them. If that person is going faster than them, they feel the need to go as fast, if not faster than their peers. Mohr even feels like she gets a better workout when she tries to keep up with those around her.
There are many ways that students can be courteous of others; these are just a few ways to respect fellow students while getting physically fit.
The students, however, are not making any noise. As they work out, many students listen to their iPods or watch the television nearest them while drifting off into their own world. If someone talks to them while they are working out, about half of the students get annoyed. Students either hate someone talking to them or don't care either way. This is one of the unspoken rules of etiquette present in the Fitness Center. Some of them have to do with common courtesy.
"When the Fitness Center is most crowded, students should be aware of the time they spend on each machine; 45 minutes is a reasonable amount," said Alyssa Bray, Wittenberg junior and HPERC employee.
Another rule of etiquette is to give students space when they are using a machine. "I hate when people hover or check my speed while waiting for a machine rather than asking me when I'll be done," said sophomore Sam Mohr.
There are also rules of etiquette when it comes to the weight machines themselves. Students cringe when someone bangs the weights and some get annoyed when the person before them leaves weights on the machine or bar.
Several students also confessed to becoming competitive with the person next to them. If that person is going faster than them, they feel the need to go as fast, if not faster than their peers. Mohr even feels like she gets a better workout when she tries to keep up with those around her.
There are many ways that students can be courteous of others; these are just a few ways to respect fellow students while getting physically fit.
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