Don’t Lift Like a Main Character

By Noel Galon de Leon

I don’t know how many of us listen to podcasts or audiobooks while we work out, but honestly, I highly recommend it. It’s like hitting two birds with a single dumbbell, you’re working your body and your brain at the same time. I usually listen to an audiobook during my warm-up and cool-down. Right now, I’m loving The Emperor’s Gladness by Ocean Vuong, published by Penguin. So yes, I’m that person on the treadmill wiping tears. It’s the book, I swear.

But while we’re busy multitasking, we shouldn’t forget to be decent humans. That brings me to today’s sermon: gym etiquette and a few things we definitely shouldn’t do in a shared space, especially during peak hours when everyone decides it’s time to get shredded at the same moment.

Some of this might be a nice reminder for veteran gym-goers. But for newbies like me, who are still figuring it all out, consider this a gentle guide, a way back when we forget the unwritten rules.

The gym isn’t your personal playground. Remember that you’re sharing it with everyone. That bench press isn’t a throne, and wearing matching outfits with it doesn’t make it yours. Let’s treat equipment with care and people with respect. Some are just starting their fitness journey, and the last thing they need is side-eye from someone hogging the Smith machine.

We want more people to find their way into fitness, not chase them away. A crowded gym filled with good vibes and clean towels is a win for everyone’s health.

And please, for the love of gains, move when you’re finished with a piece of equipment. If you’re done, or you’re just sitting there texting or watching TikTok, please clear it for the next person. At my gym, Metal Core Fitness, the machines are in high demand. None should be treated like an office chair.

Don’t get me wrong, selfies are fine. Post that back day pump if you must. But be respectful. Don’t block walkways or use mirrors just for photos. And please, for everyone’s sanity, avoid putting strangers in your shots without their consent. The last thing someone wants is their awkward gym face trending in your video. If you must share, be a good citizen and blur everyone else.

Also, a little grunt is fine, you’re lifting heavy, not knitting a sweater. But if you’re screaming like you’re delivering a baby, you might be overdoing it. I once walked into a “bakal gym”—a raw, iron jungle—that made me feel I’d stumbled into a heavy metal concert. Let’s dial it back, folks. There’s a fine line between motivation and chaos.

If you see someone lifting weirdly or struggling a bit, it’s not your business. It’s a gym, not a reality TV show. In European gyms, people barely make eye contact, and honestly, we could use some of that “mind your own reps” energy here.

Please, for everyone’s nasal health, smell neutral, not nuclear. Workout shirts shouldn’t be worn two, or (gag) even three days in a row. And heavy cologne or perfume in a small, sweaty space is a migraine waiting to happen. Thankfully, my current gym is well-ventilated and up on the fourth floor, letting in lots of air and not much odor.

Also, deodorant isn’t optional. Shower before and after the gym. Wear something that smells fresh. The people around you might be too polite to say it, but trust me, they appreciate it.

If I could, I’d invent a nice way to tell someone, “Hey, your armpits are battling it out with the rest of us.” But until then, we all need to do our part.

What I love most about the gym, aside from lifting things up and putting them back down, is the community. I’ve made friends, like Coach Dawn and some fellow fitness rookies. We’re all working toward a common goal: being healthier, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. That shared energy is powerful.

And you know what happens when people get healthy? They become more conscious in other aspects of their lives. Look at me, I’m now anti-instant noodles and pro-tumbler. I bring my own reusable bottle for water, coffee, and supplements. If enough of us do it, maybe Iloilo wouldn’t flood every time it drizzles.

So yes, come to the gym. Bring your audiobook, your reusable bottle, and your best manners. Lift heavy, be kind, and may your gains be glorious.

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Noel Galon de Leon is a writer and educator at University of the Philippines Visayas, where he teaches in both the Division of Professional Education and U.P. High School in Iloilo. He serves as an Executive Council Member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-National Committee on Literary Arts.