A question about gym etiquette?

Question

As a courtesy, at the gym where I exercise, you're supposed to clean off the machines you have just used so that other people don't have to deal with your sweat. There are spray bottles of cleaner and towels all over the place.
Today, there was a lady on a treadmil near mine, and when she finished she just got off it, and went to another piece of equipment without cleaning it off. It was so gross--I could see her sweaty handprints all over it! Yuck! She didn't clean off the second piece of equipment she used, either.
I wanted to say something to her, but I didn't know what, and I didn't know if I should. It just grosses me out. There have been times when I have gotten onto a treadmill that was still dirty, and it's disgusting.
What could I politely say the next time I see somebody use equipment but not clean it?
BTW, nobody came along to use her abandonded treadmill, so when I got done I cleaned it.

Some of you are being totally rude, without reason!
I'm not a GERM FREAK, it just bugs me when people don't do what they're supposed to.
Unfortunately, there have been times when I've unwittingly put my hands on foul equipment, not realizing until I start that it hasn't been cleaned. Nobody WANTS to purposely use a dirty machine.
There ARE signs all over asking people to wash off the equipment, too. It's just selfish and rude not to, it only takes 5 seconds.

Answer 1

Maybe she is just not aware of the rules. Instead of you confronting her, tell the gym staff and let them do it. It is their responsibility to enforce the rules and this way you stay out of the middle.

Answer 2

....its a treadmill......what do you have to clean?? you run on it, and if you run correctly, your arms should be moving with you to better circulate your body. If it grosses you out that much then just clean off every single piece of workout equipment you use so that way you can be sure that it's clean.....otherwise you are going to have to get over it. I'm not a big guy, but I sweat a lot, if I was on a treadmill I wouldn't think of cleaning off the handle bar thing, any other piece of equipment I would because like I said, I sweat a lot, but a treadmill...it's just your hands, you can wash your hands afterwards. A lot of people don't know that they should clean off a piece of workout equipment after it is used heavily...so you should of told her, unless there are signs put up that say what you should do...she probably doesn't know. You can just say "excuse me maam, but you are suppose to clean the workout equipment after you use it and the cleaning supplies is over there"...just be nice

Answer 3

If there are any instructors, you can point out to them this particular person, and ask them to tell her to clean up the machine.

Another thing that you can do is ask the management to write signs around the machines that we have towels, and sprays for people to clean up the machines after they are done using them. Tell them that a simple sign like, "Other people use the machines after you! Please help us keep this club clean with our hygiene program, and wipe your sweat with towel after using your machine" is something they can do.

You can point it out to that person in a kind manner.."excuse me, I don't mean to be rude, but the general rule in this club is you have to clean your machine after you use it"

At the end of the day, they are the ones who should be embarrassed, not you. If they react in an untactful manner, then just don't get into more conflict with them. Just go to the management and report it, and ask the management for solutions what can be done about this. Do they need to hire more help for cleaning after people? Are they under-staffed?

Talk to other people in the club that might feel the same way, and gather a group of you of a few people and talk to management together. They will really listen when they have 4 or 5 paying members ask for action especially when it comes to hygiene.

You are paying money for the membership in this club, your opinion should matter to them.

Answer 4

Just remember, nobody has ever gone wrong by underestimating the ignorance and inconsideration of Americans.

I agree with the other poster that said the staff at the gym should have told her... but they should have told her when it happened. You can't train a dumb animal, like a dog, by correcting it long after the incident happens... Personally, I don't think I could have kept quiet and I would probably have been the one thrown out of the gym. Your restraint was admirable and you showed a whole lot more class than that sweaty woman.

Answer 5

Why did you get onto a treadmill that was still dirty, "and it's disgusting" so you have said......

It's a good idea to just clean the equip. anyway, regardless if someone has used the equipment of not.....

Suppose someone just used the washroom facilities without washing their hands?

Answer 6

What to say? It is difficult to come up with something, because people do not like to be told what to do, or should do. As polite as you can be, that woman (or any other person) may react with something like "mind your own business", and from that you would have to react to. As an alternative solution, does the gym administration have any signs asking members to clean up after themselves? If not, maybe pointing out to them to post just a few signs might help people realize they should be more concerned about others.

As an after thought, next time if you so choose as to clean up after her, make sure she sees you doing it. Maybe out of shame she will learn courtesy, without going through a scene with you.

Answer 7

In such situations you could maybe politely point out that it is expected from people that they clean the machines after use so that they're clean for the next person. Some people may not realize that, especially new customers.

If she still refuses to clean after herself you should talk to the staff and let them deal with this problem.

Answer 8

Just politely approach them and say something along the lines of, "You know these facilities have a policy to spray down machines after each use, please wipe them down once you're finished with them." Or you can always mention something to the trainers or at the front desk. That's more likely to help if your gym has some sort of sign-in system were they can make notes about those kinds of activities.

Answer 9

I would just clean it if I were going to use it and try to ignore it if I weren't going to use it because I'll bet a hundred bucks that everyone does not clean the machines and that you've used equipment that hadn't been cleaned if you didn't clean it yourself before you got on.

It's human nature to be lazy and it doesn't do any good to get confrontational because you don't know her and you don't know if she's on any medication or anything. You shouldn't confront her about it unless she's in your stuff.

Answer 10

Good for you for cleaning it :-) and I'm sure the next person to use it thanks you.. I suggest possibly going to a staff member discreetly not to point her out or cause problems but to ask them to remind her to do these things if that doesn't work also try going to her (not around a bunch of ppl) don't want to upset her by embarrassment (that could be a nasty scene) some ppl are unaware of their actions and just need a little guidance to show them the right way.

Answer 11

I would ask her if she's finished. If she says yes, I would tell her that the gym requests that people clean the equipment when they finish. Act like it's her first time there, and she doesn't know. If will make you sound like you're trying to help.