Atlanta Activewear Style & Training Blog: 10 Workout Rules To Live By

It's been a while since I last posted! I apologize. Life just seems to get crazier and fitting workouts into my schedule has taken over my blogging time, not that I couldn't blog in front of the TV at night, but I digress.

Over the past 3 weeks I have been trying to hit the gym or yoga at Atlanta Hot Yoga 3-4 times a week, plus my training schedule for the Savannah Half Marathon. Let's just say I've been a busy girl, but after hitting the gym and the studio after a long hiatus I've realized that there are some things that have changed. I've decided to put together the list of the 10 Cardinal Rules of Working Out. If I'm wrong, let me know.

10 Cardinal Rules of Working Out

1. A little sweat never hurt anybody, A LOT of sweat needs to be cleaned: I am a self proclaimed sweater...I don't glisten. We all sweat, it's nothing to be embarrassed about, but if you are a sweater, like myself, PLEASE bring a towel with you to lay on and wipe down any machines you may leave a sweaty back print on with the disinfectant, the towel doesn't remove the germs. It's not just gross, it's extremely unsanitary and can cause staph infections and ring worm outbreaks.

2. Running is like traffic. Slow on the right, fast on the left: As you all know from my GA Marathon blog series, I run like a tortoise, very slowly. I always keep to the right side of the sidewalk allowing a passing lane for those VaHi elite runners, or anyone running faster than a 11 minute mile. Please, other slow runners/walkers, do NOT run in the middle of the sidewalk, you're iPod is too loud for you to hear "Excuse Me" and I can't get past you without getting an elbow to the chest.

3. Yoga is for centering, not for chattering: I am by no means a yogi, I can barely touch my toes, but when I go to yoga I show respect to the practitioners and reverence to the yoga practice. It is not a place to talk about your date last night or turning 30 last weekend. If you must talk, talk quietly about something important, or take it to the waiting room.

4. "Don't estomp your last season Prada shoes at me, honey" (said in a Latin accent, line from Legally Blond): What I mean...Don't hover over me while I am using a machine just because you want to use it. Please notice the 200 other free machines you can use while you are waiting for me to finish my 3 sets of 10. Continue to stand there and I may just have to do a 4th set of 25. But seriously, I understand we all have routines, but if someone is on the machine or bench you would like to use, just move onto your next option and come back to it. Switching things up is better for your body anyway.

5. The mirrors are to check out your form, not yourself (or others): This goes for yoga studios, dance classes, gyms, Crossfit...everything. Please do not hog the mirror space to fix your hair, flex your biceps or just stare at me as I do lunges or down dog (I have eyes you know). The mirrors are strategically placed in places where people NEED to check their form. Poor form can cause someone to really hurt themselves.

6. If you are screaming, the weights are too heavy: Not only is this startling, it is also unnerving. I like the gym, I am a bit of a gym rat, so the grunting does not bother me. The screaming, on the other hand, does. If it is taking that much effort to move the weight, I can promise you that (1) you are not going to lift it correctly once you do move it and (2) you need to lower your weight and move up to the point where you can lift it with just a grunt.

7. Please use your organization skills: We all learned in kindergarten how to line things up neatly, so let's use these things in yoga, pilates and dance classes. Please do not set up your mat in a way that takes up enough room for 4 students, and if you have done this, don't shoot the stink eye when someone asks you to scoot over. I understand the need for personal space, but 1 foot on either side is sufficient.

8. This is not a marathon, please drink your water nicely and quietly: You can tell where people work out by the way they drink their water. Outdoor runners and cyclists use their water bottles as a water gun, spraying it into their mouths. GREAT for outdoor running/cycling, NOT great for yoga class. Please put the nozzle in your mouth. Also, if you are going to pour water on yourself at the gym or in yoga, please pour it lightly on your neck and wrists. Don't dump it over your head or onto your chest, this creates a dripping sound for the next 5 minutes and soaks your mat causing that awful wet carpet sound every time you move.

9. Slightly late is OK, mosey-ing in half way through is not: We have all had those moments where we are 5-10 minutes late for a group class, you run in panicked, grab the closest spin bike and get stuck in. TOTALLY FINE! But the chronically late, "save my bike", push-to-the-front-of-the-class-with-my-entire-gym-bag person deserves to be locked out, or have water bottles thrown at them. Conveniently, this person always arrives at least 25 minutes late, at the time where the workout is killing you and you don't need a distraction. What am I asking? If you are more than 15 minutes late, wait for the next class. If you are always late, get it together.

10. Keep Your Judgements To Yourself: It's hard enough to make it to the gym, but it's even harder when people look at you as if you don't belong there. The gym, yoga studio, crossfit box, pilates class, spin room, etc. should be no judgement zones. Next time you think about giving someone a mean look remember that you are there because you aren't perfect, decide to give them a high five or a thumbs up instead. Seriously, we all made it to our workout that day, that deserves some celebration!

So, there are my rules. Have any to add? Think I am crazy? Comment below or on the Facebook wall! Or shoot me a tweet at @YogaInHeels!

xox Donna