Understanding The Gym Bro's Etiquette When Using Lifting Chalk

Gym Bros….

Have you ever walked into your gym, put your stuff down beside the squat rack, and just as you're about to turn away from your bag, you hear the blaring anabolic war cry of a young Gym Bro about to hit a PR (Personal Record), which makes you quickly turn around just to get absolutely obliterated by a giant cloud of pure white lifting chalk?

I know, that’s a bit dramatic, but...

If you’ve ever been around weightlifters (or, I should say, Gym Bros) just as they’re about to lift, you’ve most likely experienced something along those chalky lines. Though, despite all the testosterone driven screaming and battering they religiously do to lift some heavy weight, there is a fine etiquette that Gym Bro’s follow. Such unwritten rules would be The Gym Bro’s Etiquette. As it is surprisingly complex, today we'll cover one of the simplest parts: Lifting Chalk.

Without further ado…

Here are the main Lifiting Chalk Etiquettes that every gym bro should abide by until the end of time, religiously, no excuses, as a lifestyle.

 

Liquid Lifting Chalk Etiquette:

Liquid chalk is concentrated, so a small amount goes a long way.

(Unlike Thor Dust chalk…) Excessive lifting chalk can be messy and stain a lot, so only apply just enough to keep a good grip without turning the gym into a snowstorm of lifting chalk.

Wait for it to dry before dabbing up your bros.

Make sure to let the lifting chalk dry completely on your hands before dabbing up gym bros; you wouldn’t want to leave chalk marks on their gear.

If you make a mess with chalk on equipment, clean it, unless it is a bar.

If you accidentally spill or make a mess with your lifting chalk or notice any residue, clean it up, though bars can always use a little extra lifting chalk.

Powder Lifting Chalk (Brick Chalk) Etiquette:

Be careful when using chalk near people so they don’t breathe it in.

Even if you haven’t used it before, we all expect chalk to be pretty messy, but that doesn't mean you should be creating a blizzard every time you use it. A little goes a long way, so please, for the love of all that is holy, don't be that person who leaves a cloud of chalk dust in their wake. Your gym bros will thank you for it.

Don’t clap your chalk.

The Infamous Chalk Clap. We've all seen it - the guy who finishes a heavy set, claps his hands together, and sends a cloud of chalk dust flying through the air. While it may look cool and dramatic, it's also incredibly annoying for anyone who happens to be nearby. So, unless you want to be on the receiving end of some serious side-eye, maybe save the chalk clap for your Instagram stories. Especially if you’re using brick lifting chalk, please. We’re trying to avoid storms in gyms as much as possible.

Don’t purposefully break the chalk.

Oopsies are fine, but breaking lifting chalk is basically a sin for any gymbro. (seriously, I couldn’t hit my PRs for months.)

To keep the area clean, always have something under your chalk.

Common practice is to keep it in a bag, but a ball, pouch, pocket, stand, or even chocolate box is all good, as long as you can contain your chalk, and most importantly not create an artwork on the gym floor. (No matter how tempting it might be.)

Always share your lifting chalk with your Gym Bro’s.

How does that quote go again? Oh right! “Sharing is caring…” so if you genuinely care about your gym bro’s (if you’re working out together, that is), share the gift of solid grip with your bros.

For all the Gym Bros…

There you have it—The (Formaly) Unwritten Rules of Gym Bro Lifting Chalk Etiquette. So, the next time you reach for that chalk bag, remember, it's not just about grip—it's about the gym bros code. Let's keep those PRs coming and the chalk clouds at bay.

If you wanna know more about the gym bro’s intricate ways, or if you just want to know more about lifting chalk AND get some killer motivation for the gym, plus exclusive deals, sign up for our newsletter! 

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