If you're like many people, you probably care about your body. You probably make sure to keep yourself relatively healthy and stay in shape. To stay in shape, you're probably a member of a gym. And whenever you work out at the gym, you probably see some crazy stuff: guys acting tough, flexing their muscles in front of mirrors and making all sorts of animal-like noises. Gym people can get crazy — I've even seen someone out of nowhere start to salsa dance in the middle of the gym after hashing out five reps on a machine.

A building full of testosterone and estrogen, the gym can at times be a funny and disturbing place — not because of the mirror flexors or salsa dancers (which is what you're obviously thinking) but because of improper gym etiquette. Every summer we all vie for the ideal beach bod, but while you pump iron and make funny, intense faces doing it, make sure the next person has the chance to do the same with correct gym protocol.

We all go to the gym for the same thing, and that's to improve our health and fitness. But like almost every other public space, there are cardinal rules to follow. Shannen Hamilton is a clerk at Fitness 101 at Fanshawe College, and she said that the simplest of rules are broken on a regular basis: - When working out, be sure to be in workout clothes and wear shoes at all times.

- Hamilton also pointed out that book bags are often brought into the weight room and left on the floor, but “are supposed to be left in lockers. People tend to leave them in the gym and it's a health and safety hazard.”

- After you're done with a machine or mat, don't forget to wipe it down. Nothing is more of a turn-off than wanting to use a machine only to see someone else's sweat dripping off of it.

- Because treadmills are one of the more popular machines in the gym, there have to be time limitations. “Twenty minutes on the treadmill if it's busy,” Hamilton said. “If it's not, you can go for as long as you want.”

- Carelessness with weights has also become a problem. “Banging of the weights is huge, a lot of guys like to bang weights after a workout, and it has even led to dumbbells and mirrors being broken.”

- The gym can at times be a pretty social place, and sometimes it is okay to chat with a buddy you run into for a reasonable amount of time, but people are there to work out. Hamilton has run into obsessive talkers and texters at the gym, and has a simple saying that he sticks by. “Either work out or get out.”

- Other etiquette rules include no running except when on a machine, don't play your music loudly and avoid hogging a machine.

- Aside from the laundry list of rules, Hamilton says that the “biggest thing overall is respect.” Respect for both the equipment and other people, will almost guarantee that you won't have any problems at the gym.

So the next time you're at the gym, keep in mind that you're not the only one in the room. Like every other public space, have common courtesy. And please, no salsa dancing.

LIST OF GYMS IN LONDON

In your quest for sculpting the ultimate summer beach bod, here is a list of popular gyms in the city to get you going.

The Athletic Club
3198 Wonderland Rd. S.;
519-686-8777
755 Wonderland Rd. N.;
519-471-7181
The Athletic Club is always a quality option. The gym offers a laundry list of programs and amenities that include pools, classes, lectures and juice bars. Both locations are open 24-hours from Tuesday to Friday.

GoodLife Fitness
775 Adelaide St. N.;
519-438-4135
1205 Oxford St. W.;
519-471-4200
825 Oxford St. E.;
519-434-3331
GoodLife has a whopping 11 clubs across London, so you're bound to be close to one where you live. Many of them are open 24-hours from Monday to Thursday, and offer extensive weekend hours as well. GoodLife has generally always been top of the chain, and offer many amenities and exercise classes. Coed and women-exclusive clubs are also available.

The YMCA
382 Waterloo St.;
519-667-3306
1050 Hamilton St.;
519-451-2395
The Y has always been a great option because of their student-friendly pricing. For those who take out student loans to go to school such as OSAP, simply provide documentation when signing up for membership and you can negotiate a student fee, which is lower than usual membership pricing. The centre branch on Waterloo Street is spacious and offers several fitness programs such as Yoga and Zumba.