Hamburg  - Sometimes people's behaviour at the gym can put an abrupt end to their fellow gym-goer's comfort and relaxation.

For some, an example might be a woman in her 30s shaving her legs in the shower. For others it could be the older man sitting in the sauna without a towel under his bottom.

During winter, many people flock to pools, saunas, gyms and fitness studios and wellness services are gaining popularity. But not everyone knows how to behave in these facilities. Morals and manners are one thing; other rules are critical for hygiene.

One rule of thumb that should be followed by people using the sauna is that they should remove studs and other pierced jewellery, if for no other reason than out of self interest because the metal heats up. And a towels should be placed "under the entire body" in the sauna, according to Germany's sauna association in Bielefeld.

Also, before entering the dip tank, sweat should be rinsed off, and it's best not to hold a broad discussion about fungus between the toes with other people in the sauna.

"The sauna is a place like a bus or an elevator. You are in a narrow space in which you are at the mercy of others. They cannot easily get away or stop listening to you," said Susanne Helbach-Grosser, an etiquette and communications trainer in the southern German town of Schwaebisch Gmuend. Stick to small talk.

"Sex, money, bodily fluids and politics should not be discussed."

Well groomed toe nails, the use of bath shoes and towels and subdued conversation work better than their opposites. The sauna association advises people against swishing sweat off and it said that shaving, trimming finger and toe nails and using hair colour is not permitted according to its standard rules of conduct. In the room designated for rest, guests should behave considerately and quietly. In this situation they have everything to lose contrary to their otherwise good manners. Sexual references and innuendo are forbidden.

Though they may have just fallen in love, couples should control themselves as far as possible in the sauna and pool. If someone catches a pair making out, the best way to react is with humour, Helbach-Grosser said.

"Complaining brings nothing. Instead the managers would just laugh themselves silly," she said. Instead, a comment such as, "If you could perhaps wait just a quarter of an hour," in a light-hearted tone of voice can be effective. On the one hand, it shows that the person who observed the couple necking very likely took offence and finds such behaviour at the pool or in the sauna inappropriate. On the other hand, the comment shows that he's not as square as the couple might possibly think he is.

Germany's association for public swimming pools has a standard set of rules that it makes available to its members. It mentions devices such as iPods and containers made of glass and porcelain. Their use is forbidden as are cell phones with MP3 capability.

The rules posted in fitness studios and wellness facilities are not meant to be a catalogue of punishments, but people who do not stick to them have to suffer the consequences. Usually a copy of the rules can be found hanging near the entrance and guests silently agree to uphold them when they enter the facility. If there's any doubt, the rules that apply to landlords in Germany would be applied in a court of law.

"The house rules are an integral part of the membership contract for people who join a fitness studio and members must conform with the desired behaviour set forth by the managers," said Svend-Gunnar Kirmes, an attorney in Leipzig. If the management does not get along with a guest over a sustained period, the guest can be banned.

If it results in a legal dispute, the judge must consider whether other guests tolerate the code of conduct, said Kirmes. In a sauna, which is largely used by older people, different rules apply than in a disco, for example, where nearly everyone is under 30. Just what would be considered objectionable in the two situations cannot be dealt with by a blanket statement.

"It depends on the facility, the case and the parties involved," he said. (dpa)