FAQs
Q: What type of shoes are permitted in the gym?
A: Shoes that protectively cover the entire foot are required in case someone drops a weight on your foot, and because there are many sharp corners on our equipment. Some types of shoes that do not meet this requirement: sandals, flip-flops, crocs, dress shoes (including moccasins, boat shoes, and loafers), and any shoe that is cut to mid-foot.
Q: Why do I have to put away my equipment and re-rack my weights?
A: Equipment cannot be moved, weight plates cannot be left on the floor, and only one set of dumbbells may be used at a time because we have a limited amount of space and equipment and a great deal of patrons using our facilities. Furthermore, the more cluttered our facilities are, the more likely it is someone may trip and get injured.
Q: Why do I need to put collars on my bar? What if I drop my bar and then I get stuck under it because the weights won’t slide off?
A: Collars must always be used on Olympic bars because you never know when your muscles can give out or when someone might walk by and bump your bar. If a patron is afraid they may drop the weight, they should ask for a spot. We do not want plates sliding off of bars and injuring other people in addition to the lifter.
Q: Why can’t I have food or drinks in the facility?
A: Food and drinks are not allowed because they attract bugs and can be difficult to clean if spilled. Food/drinks must be left outside.
Q: Why can’t I bring my bag in?
A: We frequently have hundreds of patrons in our facilities at any given time. Bags are not allowed because they would cause tremendous clutter and create tripping hazards, and because we do not want people stealing our equipment in their bags!
Q: Why can’t I use my lifting chalk? I’ll clean it up, I swear!
A: Lifting chalk is not allowed because it is extremely messy. We cannot allow one patron to use chalk and then clean it because other patrons who would not clean up after themselves would then want to use their chalk as well.
Q: Why can’t I have a mixture of barbells/dumbbells/kettlebells/plates at my bench?
A: You cannot have a bar and dumbbells on the same bench because you could easily injure yourself. Furthermore, our floor space is very limited and all of that equipment causes a lot of clutter.
Q: Why can’t I do Olympic lifts?
A: Olympic lifting is not allowed for a few reasons:
a. We do not have the proper equipment. Some of our equipment could break if used for Olympic lifting.
b. Our gyms are too crowded and we do not have the space for Olympic lifts. It is a hazard to other participants.
c. Olympic lifting is explosive and can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. One patron may know how to perform the lifts properly, but other patrons could see them and try to imitate these movements without the proper instruction.
Q: Why do I need to wear a shirt over my sports bra?
A: All patrons using the Recreational Sports facilities must wear shirts at all times. This is not only out of respect for other patrons, but because it cuts down on sweat and promotes a cleaner gym.
