Many years ago I did a column on gym etiquette. As time changes, so does the technology, so I decided to do an update. Maybe you can relate to some of these offenses you have seen, or even done, in the gym.

Number one—-are you dressing like a hoochie-mama? Are your clothes suitable for the Goodwill giveaway or the bedroom? Are you dressed to impress or to shock? I think I’ve seen nearly everything, but if you are wearing clothes that don’t cover all the private parts, well, it’s time to think of a new wardrobe.

Let’s see now, do you walk around the gym talking on your cell phone while people around you are trying to concentrate on their workouts? Please leave the cell phone in the locker and turned off. If you really need for someone to get in touch with you in an emergency give them the gym phone number and they will page you.

Do you make loud noises while working out? I mean grunts and groans and a yell or two. I don’t have a problem with some vocal noises but some guys get really carried away. Some gyms won’t allow grunting.

Ok, so you sweat a lot—I mean A-LOT! Do you wipe up the equipment after you’ve used it? I’m sure you don’t appreciate someone doing it to you, so why not be courteous and clean up after yourself.

So, you’ve used the dumbbells and the barbells to do your workout. Do you just leave them there, or put them away? Not only is it rude not to return the equipment to its rightful place but your thoughtlessness could cause someone to trip and fall. Please return all equipment to where it is supposed to be.

That iPod you are listening to while you’re doing your cardio? Well, try not to sing along out loud. I’ve seen this happen. This isn’t karaoke night at the Purple Parrot. And humming out loud is just as annoying.

Try not to "hog" the equipment. It is there for everyone to share. You don’t own it all and someone may want to use it to continue his/her exercise regiment. "Saving" the equipment is just as wrong. Don’t gather all your apparatus in a big pile and expect to hoard it.

Are you a member of a clique? The group that gets together in the gym to trash others who are seriously trying to work out? Not nice! Save it for the bars.

Drinking water is one thing—even downing a sports drink is ok, but eating a sub sandwich in the gym is really uncalled for. I’ve seen it happen.

It’s busy at the gym—Prime Time as they call it. Please be respectful of others while using the cardio. Limit your time to 20 minutes on the treadmill or the elliptical machines. People are waiting. Realize that you could come back at a less busy time and do a 45 minute cardio without interference.

Language. How many four letter words can you yell out loud? Bad language and loud voices are a real turn-off for everyone within ear-shot. Please be aware that you are in a public place and act accordingly; civil, thank you.

I’ve been accused of this one in the gym. I was told I "intimidate" the smaller guys. Now, some guys do use their size to get their way in the gym, but Nick and I don’t do that. For the big guys out there, remember when you first started working out and you felt intimidated by those big guys? Now that you are one of those big guys show some respect for the novices that are beginning their routine to improve themselves, too. Besides, Nick and I are pussycats.

Never offer advice when it’s not needed. Believe me, if you tell someone they are doing an exercise wrong and they hurt themselves, you may be liable for legal action! Tell them to seek out a staff member of the gym or a personal trainer.

Try not to drag out the luggage, knapsack, water bottle, lunch bag, belt, bars and other personal items you’ve brought with you to work out. Many gyms now outlaw most everything but a water bottle.

And when you take your shower—especially in a public area—try not to "hang around" the showers too long, especially when naked. This makes some members nervous and embarrassed. Yes, I know it sounds very puritanical to suggest it, but walking around naked for too long is advertising and not appreciated by the staff.

And last? Leave the gym as it was when you first got there. Spill water on the floor in the workout area? Clean it up. Wipe down any soiled apparatus? Clean it up. Douse your body with powder in the locker room and get some on the floor? Clean that up, too.

The thing we all need to do while working out in a public gym is to learn to respect the members and the gym equipment.

See you at the beach.