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The Do's And Don'ts Of Gym Etiquette

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ever get stared at in the gym and not because you look good? Now that 2012 is here, maybe your gym etiquette needs a little workout of its own.

There are a couple ways to keep other gym members from rolling their eyes as you keep your New Year's resolution.

Cindy Barlage is hoping to drop a few pounds and gain a good-looking figure.

"Just recently moved up here and it's time for some change, some really good change," she said.

But up until this point, intimidation was a factor, just like it is for millions of Americans.

"If you're not in really good health and not a size 2, you've got to start somewhere," she said. "That's the point -- got to start somewhere."

Being intimidated in the gym holds no weight with trainer Jeff Fliehs at Lifetime Fitness at Crosstown.

"They're worried, 'Am I going to fit in?' Well not all of us are world-class athletes," he said.

In fact, Fliehs said 95 percent of members want to be in better shape. Only 5 percent are in the shape they want to be in.

"There's something that they really have an area of passion about, and that's what brings them in," he said.

Fliehs hopes that members bring manners too, like wiping sweat from the equipment so it's ready for the next person to use.

Another tip from Fliehs is to refrain from spending too much time on one piece of equipment. You should let others work in.

Also, don't lift more than you can handle.

"Grunting's annoying, and it doesn't help," he said.

The top tip from Barlage: "Forget the intimidation and just go for it."

She hopes hard work and determination will someday add up to a new self-image in 2012.

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