Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding Shares What You Need To Know About Gym Etiquette In The Nautilus Machine Area

Nautilus Type Room Gym Etiquette

Gym etiquette for nautilus roomsMachines that have a pin to set a weight and multiple moving parts are often part of the weight room and referred to as nautilus type machines. These machines allow you to safely lift targeting specific muscle groups and are an excellent way to increase strength, balance and muscle tone. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding advises on the proper etiquette for using these machines.

Learn The Lingo

Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding knows it can feel really strange to use new terms at the gym. It’s easy to feel like you’re faking or, worse, that you sound like you don’t know what you’re doing. Using the same vocabulary, though, makes it easier for everyone to understand and communicate well. Here are some important terms to learn and use starting now.

  • Rep. Short for repetition, this is one motion on a machine. Depending on whether you are bulking or toning you will do a certain number of reps, rest and then do another round. Each round of reps is called a “set.”
  • Set. A number of reps done without a break. 3 sets of 12 reps is an example of a standard workout. You would move the machine twelve times, rest, do twelve more, rest and then do another twelve.
  • Work In. If someone asks if they can work in, they are asking to alternate sets with you. You can use this time to rest or work on a complementary machine in your workout.

Wipe It Down

Just like with the cardio machines you want to wipe down every bench, seat, handle, back and anything else your body touches on the machine. Depending on the structure of your workout you should either wipe down between sets or at the end of using the machine. If on a shoulder day you are doing a workout that has you doing a set on one machine and then a set on another before reacting and repeating you should wipe between machines so that someone else can work in. If you are just taking a quick rest and stretching you’ll likely not have someone work in so stay by the machine.

Reset When Working In

If you work into someone else’s machine be sure to note where they have the pin and set set. A major expectation in gym etiquette is that the person who works in leaves the machine so that the person who let them in can simply resume. It’s your way of saying “thank you” for letting you get your sets in.

Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding, NYU Langone Weight Management ProgramKnowing what people mean, how to communicate and the rules for lifting with machines will improve your confidence and experience. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding provides advice for many areas of the gym:

  • Locker Room
  • Cardio Area
  • Free Weight Floor
  • Cross-Training Room

And be sure to check out the post on general gym etiquette.

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