Gym Etiquette: 29 Unwritten Rules

Jim Bathurst
Written By Jim Bathurst CSCS
Last Updated:

A LEGO with a water bottle

The gym can be an intimidating place.

Besides the grunting and the weights dropping, there is a secret code of conduct that is totally foreign to any newcomer on what to do and not to do.

These rules of etiquette aren’t just for newbies!

I see a lot of “veterans” who completely disregard them or just simply aren’t aware of what they are doing. So whether it’s your 1st or 500th time in the gym, let’s explain how to properly behave.

Gym Etiquette 101:

Also, if you’re nervous about the gym, turning people from “noob” to “warrior” is what we do in our 1-on-1 Online Program. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously, so we’ll program fun missions like “Play on the Treadmill” and “Lift One Easy-Peasey Weight” to ease into it. If you’re interested, check out more here:

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A Beginner’s Guide to CrossFit: 8 Things to Know Before Your First CrossFit Workout

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Today we teach you everything you want to know about CrossFit.

This guide will tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about CrossFit but were too afraid to ask (Including “Is CrossFit good for losing weight?”).

If you’ve ever questioned why people run around parking lots with sandbags, you’re in the right place.

Many of the coaches in our Online Coaching Program have been CrossFit instructors or gym owners, so this is what we do best: help people start strength training confidently and without injury.

CrossFit can be AMAZING…for the right person…with the right CF coach.

Luckily, this guide is going to help you figure out both of those things!

In this Beginner’s Guide to CrossFit, we’ll cover:

Let’s jump right in!

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How to Improve Your Grip Strength & Wrist Mobility: The 6 Best Exercises

Jim Bathurst
Written By Jim Bathurst CSCS
Last Updated:

Improve your grip strength and wrist mobility with barbells

Do you find your grip a limiting factor in the gym (I see you chin-ups and deadlifts)?

Or in everyday life (looking at you, pickle jars)?

If so, don’t worry! We’ve got a handle on this (pun 100% intended).

As the lead trainer of our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program, I’m going to outline a number of helpful, handy (sigh) stretches and exercises to help eliminate pain and build you some powerful, useful hands and a strong grip.

Now, it goes without saying that the hands and forearms are anatomically complicated areas.

I am also not your mother, or your doctor. If anything in the article below causes pain, or your pain is not alleviated by these stretches – call in the pros!

See a physical therapist or sports massage practitioner.

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Intermittent Fasting Beginner’s Guide (Should You Skip Breakfast in 2022?)

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Tony the Tiger wants you to keep eating breakfast. Should you, or should you try intermittent fasting?

“…Tony the Tiger tells us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! It’s grrrrrreat!”

This adage about breakfast has become commonplace that it’s readily and unquestionably accepted as fact.

Well then, what’s with the growing popularity of Intermittent Fasting and SKIPPING breakfast?

(Tony just audibly gasped.)

In this Ultimate Guide to Intermitting Fasting, I’ll teach you everything about the science of fasting and what results you can expect:

ALSO, if you’re interested, Nerd Fitness Journey has an intermittent fasting adventure that you can start today!

This fun habit-building app helps you exercise more frequently, eat healthier, and level up your life, all while building your very own superhero!

Sign-up for a free trial right here:

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The 12 Best Compound Exercises for Beginners (How to Train Efficiently)

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Two LEGOs doing bodyweight training on a book

It’s time to discover the best compound exercises for beginners!

Compound exercises are the most “bang for your buck” when it comes to working out, so I’m super excited you want to learn more about them!

In our 1-on-1 Online Coach Program, we prioritize compound exercises when building workout routines for our clients. We’ll explain why today.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Also, if you’re in a hurry, we’ve compiled all our strength and weight training content into one handy guide called (appropriately): Strength Training 101: Everything You Need to Know. 

Grab it for free when you join the Rebellion (that’s us!) below:

Alright, cue the music. Let’s do this thang.

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How to Squat Properly: The Ultimate Guide

Staci Ardison
Written By Staci Ardison
Last Updated:

The barbell squat is the one of the best exercises on the planet

One of the best exercises for you, whether you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight (or both) HAS to be the squat.

However, it’s also an exercise I see nearly EVERYBODY do incorrectly.

We do video form checks with every Online Coaching Client to make sure they’re squatting correctly, and we use a LOT of the same cues and instruction we cover in this guide! 

So have no fear…

After reading this big ass squat guide (pun intended, I suppose?) – part of our Strength 101 series – you can start performing this compound exercise safely and effectively.

Click any link below or scroll down to read the whole guide:

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The 5 Best Pull-up Alternatives (How to Do Pull-ups Without a Bar)

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

A picture of Kermit hanging with Pink Panther, probably trying a pull-up alternative.

So you want to do a pull-up but don’t have a bar?

Or maybe you just don’t quite have the strength yet to hoist yourself up?

Either way, no problem!

We’ve been teaching people how to do pull-up alternatives in our Online Coaching Program with “no-bar pull-ups.” Today, we’ll show you all these tried and trusted workarounds.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

By the way, all of these pull-up alternatives can be done in our sweet new app. Why not learn how to lift yourself up (even without any equipment) while you build your very own superhero?

You can test drive it for free (no credit card needed) right here:

Alright, let’s do this thang.

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The Ultimate Skinny Guy’s Guide to Bulking Up Fast: How to Bulk like the Hulk

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Hulk knows how many reps and sets to do.

Want to go from a skinny guy to building muscle quickly? I got you.

I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to pack on muscle, and after years and years of trial and error, I finally cracked the code.

Today, I share that code with you!

This is a topic that is near and dear to me, because I’ve spent my life devoted to this stuff:

How fast can it take to grow muscle? It took Steve years of trial and error.

These are the exact tactics I’ve used, and the same strategies we use with our Online Coaching Clients.

This free guide is gonna get you started off on the right foot!

Here are the 4 parts we’ll cover in this ultimate guide:

#1) INTRO:

#2) NUTRITION:

#3) STRENGTH TRAINING:

#4) RECOVERY, TIPS AND TRICKS, NEXT STEP:

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How Many Sets and Reps Should I Do? (Building The Correct Workout Plan)

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb • Reviewed By: Mike Rebold PhD, CSCS
Last Updated:

If this plot asked how many reps and sets should he do, what would you tell him?

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Am I doing too little or too many reps and sets?” then this guide is for you.

This article is part of our Strength 101 series, and we’ll show you exactly how to determine the number of repetitions and sets for specific exercises, so you can build your own workout routine.

It sounds easy, but depending on your goals, the answer to “How many reps and sets should I do?” can vary greatly.

This Muppet knows strength training will help him gain muscle and lose fat.

We work hand-in-hand with our Online Coaching Clients to create the correct workout program that suits their goals, needs, and available equipment

In today’s guide on workout programing, we’ll cover (click each to get right to that answer):

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Get Your First Pull-up Or Chin-up! 30-Day Pull up Progression Plan

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

After today's guide you'll be able to do a pull-up everywhere, like Steve does.Pull-ups are my favorite exercise of all time.

But what if you can’t do a pull-up yet?

The answer: read this ultimate guide on getting your first pull–up ASAP!

Here's a gif of a pull-up in perfect form.

We have helped hundreds of Online Coaching Clients get their first pull-up, and we’ll cover our exact strategies below! 

As part of our Strength Training 101 series, we give you an exact plan to follow leading you to your very first full pull-up:

If you can already do a pull-up (woot!), you might want to check out our article on proper pull-up form, although we’ll cover a lot of the same material here.

Let’s do this thang.

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The 20 Minute Beginner Kettlebell Workout: Try This Simple Workout at Home or Anywhere!

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Kettlebells can provide a great full body workout.

Our simple beginner kettlebell workout will blow your mind.

Come on: Who else is going to teach you to use a kettlebell with Mario and Mega Man references?

In today’s guide, we’ll go over the following (click to go right to that section):

These are the types of programs that we create for our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Clients, and we’re getting amazing results for people. 

And make sure you download our Kettlebell Worksheet! It’ll come in handy in just a moment.

Okie dokie, let’s jump right in.

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How to Get in Shape Without Leaving the House: The Ultimate Guide for Getting Fit at Home

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Or if you have such a suit, you can ignore this whole article.

It’s time to learn how to get fit without leaving your home:

Maybe you’re practicing a self-quarantine. 

Maybe you work from your apartment and are avoiding the gym.

Or maybe you just like living like a house cat.

Either way, you’ve come to the right place, because I put together a practical guide for rational people to help you get fit or stay fit, even if you can’t leave the house.

We’ve had incredible success with no-gym workouts for our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program, allowing our clients to train from any part of the world…or an underground bunker.

Here’s what we’ll cover in our guide, How to Stay in Shape Without Leaving the House: 

Note: this is not prescriptive, nor guidance about protecting against the coronavirus – see the PS. 

Let’s jump right in!

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What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? (How to Slay SAD!)

Dan Schmidt
Written By Dan Schmidt
Last Updated:

This photo shows Link about to do battle with the SAD monster.

Winter is approaching and with it comes SAD.

No, I don’t mean the emotion (although that’s part of it).

I’m talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Luckily, we have some tips and tricks for treating SAD that our Online Coaching Clients use. Today, we’ll share them with you too.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Disclaimer: We’re going to be discussing some issues that may be difficult for some going through a tough time. If you (or someone you know) aren’t coping so well, PLEASE see the links at the bottom of this article with some resources from all around the world. Obviously, we recommend discussing this information with your health professional – none of this is a diagnosis, but rather a starting point for discussion.

BUT, armed with the right weapons, we can ward off the winter monster, or even keep it in full hibernation.

From here, mental health wizard and resident NF Family Rebel Correspondent, Dan Schmidt, will take it away:

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5 Ways to Appear More Confident (Instantly)

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb
Last Updated:

Today I’m going to teach how you to appear more confident.

Why? Because confidence is one of the most important skills in life that you can acquire (other than learning to use the Force, obviously).

I know how important even a little bit of confidence can be in everyday situations, whether it’s negotiating with your boss for a raise, buying a car, giving a presentation, or meeting your fiance’s parents.

We’re naturally attracted to and will have our opinions swayed by those who have (or appear to have) a lot of confidence.

Nerds usually get the short end of the stick in the “naturally confident” department, but that doesn’t mean we can’t acquire it like a new skill, Matrix-style!

So today we’ll discuss five steps that you can take to start seeing a difference in self-confidence immediately.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Wanna know something interesting? Many of our coaching clients report “increased confidence” as a consequence of our program. It’s because once you’ve changed your nutrition strategy, lost some weight, and learned to pick up a barbell, you start to understand what you’re truly capable of. That’s a huge confidence boost!

If you’d like to learn if our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program would be a good fit for you, you can click on the image below for more info:

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How To Build Your Own Workout Routine: Plans, Schedules, and Exercises

Steve Kamb
Written By Steve Kamb • Reviewed By: Mike Rebold PhD, CSCS
Last Updated:

How do you become like this perfect man? Building your own workout will help!

I get multiple emails and messages per day asking:

“Steve, what should I do for a workout?”

Well, partner, today is your lucky day.

I’m gonna help build you a custom workout program, step-by-step! 

After all, a workout should be developed around a person’s age, goals, nutritional strategy, free time, etc.

Not only that, but it’s easy to overcomplicate this process – there are an infinite number of exercises, sets, reps, and programs to choose from.

Now, if you’re somebody that wants to skip all of that, and JUST want to be told what exactly to do: 

We build customized workouts for our Online Coaching Clients and would love to have you. We get to know your story and struggles, your goals, and your lifestyle, and develop a workout plan that fits your schedule.

Your coach can build a workout for you!

Now, if you’re more of a “figure this stuff out on my own” kind of person – we’re going to dig into how to build your own workout plan today!

We’ve also created a free resource for folks who want to build their own workout but would love some more specific direction and instruction.

You can download our free guide, Strength Training 101: Everything You Need to Know, which covers all of this stuff in a single guide:

OKAY! Are you ready to start building your own routine and want to know how it’s done?

Great! Let’s do this:

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