Thinking about trying that new boutique studio that popped up on the block? Great!
Never been before and don’t know what to expect? Even better!
After having been a client at many boutique fitness studios in the DC Metro area and teaching at a few myself, here are a few universal etiquette tips to make your first experience, and hopefully every experience afterward, seamless!
This is written from a cycling perspective but are applicable in most studios – barre, yoga, TRX, etc.
- Show up on time!
This is twofold, well three-fold because duh, common sense dictates you just show up on time. Most studios will not let you in after a certain time frame (5 to 10 minutes) and may not refund/ credit you back the class. Also, it is exceptionally inconsiderate and distracting to everyone else in the room when you show up late and start setting up your equipment or you require assistance. I mean, we’ll help, you’re not going to be left to fend for yourself but if you wouldn’t show up to your place of work or anywhere you deem important, treat your workout the same and show up for class on time.
- If it’s your first class, show up at least 15 minutes beforehand.
From strictly a cycling perspective, there’s so much that needs to be done to get you set up before class starts. Signing waivers. Fitting you for shoes. Getting you set up on the bike. Explaining resistance and any monitors. All of this takes time and should not be rushed for your own safety and enjoyment. It kind of sucks heading into your first class not knowing what’s going on then you have a bad class because you didn’t allow yourself to become acquainted with the equipment or studio.
- No cell phones in the studio.
This is my FAVORITE etiquette rule/ advice and is often the one that is most ignored and disrespected. It’s incredible how difficult it is for some people to disconnect for just 45 minutes. We are connected to screens all day every day, do yourself a favor and give yourself a break from the rat race.
- No talking during class!
Yet another piece of etiquette/ advice that is often ignored by many. If you’re talking during class, it’s a sign you’re not working hard enough and I need to make everything considerably more difficult. There is a difference however between singing along and talking. Singing along to the music? Have at it! Talking about your brunch plans over the weekend? Everyone hates you right now. STAHPPPP!
- If you need to leave early, let the instructor know before class starts!
Life happens. You want to get your workout in but can’t stay the entire time, I get it. Just let me know ahead of time or I’ll think terrible things like “OMG DO I SMELL?!” or “IS SHE DEAD?!” The latter is dramatic but it really does go through my mind if someone pops up and just leaves out of nowhere so just let me know so I’m not silently going through a tailspin while trying to lead the rest of my workout. Much appreciated & thanks in advance!
- Leave before the cool-down starts or stay for the entire thing; no leaving during the middle!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I do a weekly (or sometimes twice weekly) Post-Class Living Room Floor Chronicles of my thoughts/ feelings after class when I get home. I recently posted one on people leaving before the cool-down even starts or even worse, in the middle of the cool down. Our bodies have been working exceptionally hard for 42-43 minutes. I can’t imagine not being able to just give 2-3 minutes of afterward to just take a beat and decompress. Let your heart rate come down. Find your breath again and stretch out your body. Listen, again, I get it! We all have things to get to BUT if you can’t stay for the ENTIRE cool-down, then leave right after class. Please don’t leave during the middle of the cool-down. It’s distracting and dangerous.
- Do what is being cued by the instructor!
If you plan on doing the exact opposite of what your instructor is cuing, please don’t sit in the front row. Hey, it’s your money, do whatever you want with it HOWEVER just know it is exceptionally distracting when you’re in the front row aggressively doing that opposite of what your instructor is asking the room to do. Like it or not, when you’re in the front row, you’re leading the pack. If you’re not down to do arms or something in the ride or class really isn’t your thing, that’s all good, truly! but if that’s the case, you’re better suited riding in the side bar or second/ third row.
- Shower etiquette.
Some studios are beautifully designed and have the toilets separate from the showers. Other studios however are not as well thought out in design and you end up with the annoying shower and toilet in same stall conundrum. The bane of my boutique fitness existence! If the latter is the case, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD wait until the next class starts to take a shower. There are few things more inconsiderate in a space like this (other than someone openly farting up a storm) than having a 15 minute window between packed classes and having a single entire toilet only available to 60-100 people because YOU, KAREN decided your need to shower superseded basic common courtesy to just wait and have the toilets available to people.
- Late Cancels & Waitlist.
If you are signed up for a class, especially a class with a waitlist, but can’t make it, please (late) cancel! Whenever I see a class that’s waitlisted, I always tell people who want to come to show up anyway. Why would I tell someone to show up to a waitlisted class? Because someone always drops off. ALWAYS! Never in my seven years of being in this industry, nearly four as an instructor, have I ever seen anyone able to get into a class that is waitlisted. This doesn’t necessarily however happen because people late cancel, it’s because people simply don’t show up. If you’re one of those that knows you can’t make it to a class and late cancel, you are AWESOME and I appreciate you! Those that don’t late cancel and just no-show, I am seriously envious because late cancels/ no-shows can be as much as $25 in some places. If you got money like that to burn, PLEASE ADOPT ME! I’m already potty-trained and can feed myself without making a mess! Mostly anyway…
- WIPE DOWN YOUR EQUIPMENT!
Please, for the love of all that is sacred, WIPE DOWN THE EQUIPMENT YOU’VE USED! We are in cold and flu season. The Coronavirus is threatening to take us all out Contagion/ World War Z style. This is just basic etiquette and common courtesy you hope you wouldn’t have to tell people but I find myself having to tell people to cover their mouths when they cough & sneeze so I would be remiss in including this on the list.
* BONUS: STAY HOME WHEN YOU’RE SICK!*
You’re not “sweating it out”, you’re infecting everyone around you and are being selfish when you come to the studio/ gym sick. Please stop doing this. I know it’s hard being down when you’re typically active and consistent BUT your body literally needs to rest and recover. Give yourself the time you need to fully recuperate and give others the peace of mind to know they’re not at risk of you infecting them. I also did a Post-Class Living Room Floor Chronicles on this if you want to give it a look. Very dramatic but also VERY necessary.
That’s all I got! Am I missing any?
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Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thanks for reading!
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