The screamer, the talker, the guy who stares at himself in the mirror. These are the people nobody wants to encounter at the gym, bur they are inevitably always present. Here are some tips to avoid being “that guy/girl” in the gym. 

Clean your rack: Bench pressing 300 pounds is quite a feat, but the next person up probably doesn’t want to spend an extra five minutes taking off all those plates. No matter how much weight you put on the bar, make sure to take it off when you’re done. The kid who just discovered the gym will appreciate it and so will the employees. 

Keep the screaming to a minimum: Exerting a few grunts to get those last few reps is reasonable, but nobody should be able to hear you screaming across the gym. There’s a difference between trying to get that last bench press rep and trying to get attention. 

Use the mirror, don’t abuse the mirror: Having a mirror is a great asset for checking your form. However, try not to check yourself out for too long. Sure, seeing results from your hard work feels great, but there’s no need to stare longingly into your bicep.

Be courteous: The gym is not usually a glamorous place. Everyone is usually sweaty and a bit smelly — just make sure you don’t leave any of it on a mat or a bench. Use the towels and spray bottles left for you by the gym staff to wipe down the grime you leave behind. Hopefully the other gym patrons do the same.

Don’t take up too much space: A lot of people go to the gym and having room to work is a hot commodity. Try not to use more space than you need or hog weights and benches.