CODE OF CONDUCT
WordsIsaac WilliamsIllustrationsDan Evans @Dan_DrawsTHE MANSPLAINER
A tricky one for many to grasp, this, but it’s really quite
simple: if you’re not a personal trainer, don’t act like one.
Your encyclopaedic exercise knowledge sure is mighty
impressive, but it's also best kept to yourself: Margaret in
HR doesn’t need to be told that she’s not fully activating her
glutes before work.THE CURLER
The squat rack exists to make heavy-lifting exercises
safe and accessible. What this hulking mass of steel is
not designed for, is your biceps. When gym space is at a
premium, taking over the most coveted spot to do the one
exercise that can be done literally anywhere shows a severe
lack of awareness. It also suggests you're big enough to not
care, so please be our guest – great arms, bro.THE SCREAMER
Unless every weight in room is positioned across your upper
back (and if that is the case, may we suggest you fi nd a
new gym), making any noise other than the odd inadvertent
grunt is rarely acceptable— especially if you’re training in
your local leisure centre rather than an old-school spit-and-
sawdust gym. It’s 1pm on a Tuesday, no one needs to hear
your war cry before their Boots Meal Deal.THE NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS-ER
Ambition drives progress, and in the gym ‘progressive
overload’ — upping the weight or the reps session by
session — is what allows us to improve. There is something
to be said, however, for knowing your limits. At best, lifting
too heavy will leave you red-faced; at worst, you’ll do some
serious damage.SQUAT RACK ETIQUETTE
NO MAN IS ABOVE THE LAWS OF THE SQUAT RACK: THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SPOT IN
THE GYM DESERVES RESPECT, ADMIRATION AND A STRICTLY BICEP-FREE APPROACH.
AVOID THE GLARES OF FELLOW GYM-GOERS; DON'T BE ANY OF THESE GUYS