Gym rules

The Private Gym Bill of Rights

(Borrowed from Elite FTS)

We the owners of private gyms, in Order to form a more perfect facility, establish PRs, insure quality equipment, provide for the common lifter, promote the general strength, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Bill of Rights for the Private Gyms of the World.

Article I – Gym Owner Freedom of Speech and Rule-Making

Section I

• It doesn’t matter if you like the gym owner or not – he pays the bills. Respect shall be given to the owner and staff of the club.

Section II

• The owner has the right to refuse entry to anyone for any reason. He can throw people out or ask them to leave for any reason. Membership can be revoked for any reason.

Section III

• The owner has the right to change these rules at any time.

Article II – Right to a Clean Facility

Section I

• Re-rack all weights even if you didn’t use them. The location you should put them is not where it is most convenient for you,  but rather where they’re supposed to go.

Section II

• Leave the gym in better condition than it was found.

Section III

• Clean all sweat, blood, off floor and equipment. Wipe pads/Equipment off when you’re done.

Section IV

• If you notice trash on the floor – pick it up. If you don’t notice trash on the floor – look harder.

Section V

• Don’t track rain, snow, dirt or mud onto the gym floor unless you plan on cleaning it up.

Section VI

• Flush toilet after using. Wipe lid if needed.

Article III – Conditions for the Attitude of Crossfitters

Section I

• Don’t be a Jerk

Section II

• Leave your personal drama at home.

Section III

• Check your ego at the door.

Section IV

• No whining.

Section V

• If you want to throw a hissy fit, go outside and do it. It disrupts the class.

Section VI

• Help others be better than you.

Section VII

• If you brought children, it is YOUR responsibility to watch them, not ours.

Article IV – Right of Regulated Training

Section I

• If you see a technical flaw in someone else, ask the coach to come over.

Section II

• During a max lift, Don’t mess with someone in the middle of a set or walk in front of someone doing a set.

Section III

• If you aren’t sure how to spot someone correctly, ask a coach. Also, if you need a spot, ask a coach. Don’t be an idiot. Safety first.

Section IV

• Track your progress, that shit is important. Its hard for us to take your individual training seriously if you have been in our facility for a year and can never remember any benchmarks.

Article V – Provisions Concerning Hygiene

Section I

• Don’t smell like shit. Use deodorant.

Section II

• If you’re contagious – stay home.

Article VI – Right of Respect

Section I

• Don’t be late

Section II

• In the gym, we’re all equal

Section III

• Respect others

Section IV

• No stealing.

Section V

• We are your coaches, not your personal trainer. Dont expect us to get your weights for you, put them away, count your reps, or hold your hand.

Section VI

• Pay attention when we speak, the last thing we want to hear after explaining the movement/wod is, “what are we doing?” you are holding the class up by doing so.

Section VII

• Pay your dues on time or ahead of time.

A little known fact – most hardcore gyms go out of business not because of members, but because of members that don’t pay. Every private gym owner that we’ve spoken to has enough members to break even, so have enough respect to pay your dues and keep your private gym open. The second reason they close is that the owners get sick of all the B.S. listed in this article and just move what they need back into their garage and close up shop.

After reviewing this list and all the “I hate commercial gym articles,” we’ve come to the realization that most people have more respect for their commercial gyms than the private gyms we have all worked so hard to create. Most people who train at private gyms are in violation of at least 70 percent of the rules on this list, but will follow the lame commercial gym rules to the “ T.” If commercial gyms suck so badly, why do you follow their rules (yes you bitch about them, but you DO follow them), but then turn around and NOT follow the rules of the very place you always wanted to be? Why would you respect the commercial gym more when they have 10 times the number of rules, but totally disrespect the place you always wished to be? This left us private gym owners no option but to write the declaration of private gyms.

Thank you,

Crossfit South Bend Staff