Gym Etiquette: Dropping Equipment

We know the feeling. You make a big lift, exhausted and you drop the bar. It’s 50% physical necessity and 50% a demonstration of your victory. 

That said, there are a number of scenarios where dropping equipment goes against gym norms. 

Here are some examples of equipment that shouldn’t be dropped in the gym:

• • Empty barbells. Not even from just a few inches above the ground. Bars needed to be loaded with bumper plates on both sides to consider dropping. 
  • Dumbbells. Even though many dumbbells are rubber coated on the ends. They aren’t built to be dropped, no matter how tired you might be. 

• • Deadlifts. That’s right. Even a perfectly loaded barbell (with bumper plates) shouldn’t be dropped from the top position of the deadlift. Part of training this movement is including an eccentric portion (downward action) of the lift. Plus, it’s illegal in powerlifting. 
  • Kettlebells. Even after 200 swings, the handle of the kettlebell would greatly appreciate being placed gently back on the floor. 

That’s all for now! Happy training!