Germs like to hang out in wet, humid places, making gyms a hotbed of bacteria. Often, they’re harmless, but sometimes they can cause serious infections.
To help you stay healthy and avoid germs, follow these six gym etiquette tips:
Wipe Down Your Clothes
Many people think of the gym as a place to get healthy, but it’s often a hot spot for germs that can cause severe sickness. The revolving door of gym-goers, subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) covering equipment with sweat and bodily fluids, is the perfect environment for the growth of bacteria and viruses that can lead to infections, from the common cold to the more severe ringworm, athlete’s foot and fungal nail infection.
Germs like fungus, bacteria, and viruses love soft, porous materials such as towels, clothes, carpets, and upholstery, and they thrive when wet. That’s why it’s essential to wipe down all surfaces you touch at the gym before and after your workout.
Besides the obvious, such as using hand sanitizer and not touching your face, it’s also wise to bring your towel to the gym. The ‘clean’ towels that most gyms provide may still carry germs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which is capable of causing life-threatening skin infections.
Similarly, it’s best to wear clean clothing and shoes. A study found that 30% of the sweaty gym clothes tested contained fecal matter, and even a clean pair of socks can harbor the fungus that causes athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Ensure you wash your clothes after your workout, and don’t share them with anyone, mainly if you know they’re ill.
Wipe Down Your Equipment
Any object touched by a lot of people is contaminated. The same goes for exercise equipment, which may contain dangerous viruses and bacteria. You can easily prevent these health risks by using gym equipment wipes to clean the equipment before and after use.
Research has shown that gym equipment can harbor many germs, leading to concerns about hygiene and cleanliness. Awareness of these findings and taking appropriate measures to maintain a healthy and safe workout environment is essential. For example, one study found that exercise bikes contained 39 times more germs than a cafeteria tray, free weights had 362 times more germs than a public toilet seat, and treadmills crawled with 75 times more germs than a public water faucet.
It is because these surfaces are often contaminated with sweat, which can lead to the growth of various bacteria and fungi. Some of these germs can cause diseases like the common cold and even the flu, so wiping down your equipment after each use is essential to prevent infection.
In addition to good hygiene etiquette, bringing your disinfectant wipes with you when working out at the gym is helpful. These can quickly and easily wipe down high-touch fitness equipment areas, such as the handles and creases of weight machines. They are also ideal for cleaning sweaty clothes after a workout.
Wash Your Hands
While the gym may be associated with health, it can also be a hotbed for germs and bacteria. Thankfully, most of these are harmless or can be easily killed by your immune system. But there are a few pathogens that can make you sick. These include staph, E. coli, and the flu. Luckily, these viruses and bacteria can be prevented by wiping down your equipment and washing your hands properly before and after using the machines.
Studies have shown that fitness center equipment can have many germs on them. For example, treadmills can contain 74 times more germs than a public toilet seat, and free weights can have 362 times more germs than the average cafeteria tray. Wiping your machines after use is a common courtesy, but wiping them down before you begin working out is also essential. It prevents the germs you’re shedding from your sweaty body from being spread to the next person to use the machine.
Limiting how much you touch other people at the gym is also a great way to avoid germs. That means no fist-bumping and skipping the ever-popular elbow bumps. Avoid sharing clothing, towels, and razors, and always wash your hands directly before and after your workout.
Wash Your Towel
You might conjure images of public toilets, hospital equipment, or office kitchens when you think of germs. But it turns out that gyms can also be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. A 2016 lab-supported study found that treadmills and free-weight benches crawled with bacteria (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) and that locker rooms were also loaded with germs.
Germs love to hang out in wet, humid areas, putting showers and locker room surfaces in the danger zone. In addition to the common cold-causing rhinovirus, these surfaces can harbor more severe illnesses such as methicillin-resistant staph infections, E coli, and the flu.
If you’re battling a cold or the flu, skipping your workout is best. Infections can spread quickly, and it’s best to rest until you feel better. And if you’re working out with an open wound, use caution and consider wearing a mask.
If you’re going to the gym, bring your towel. Not only does it reduce the risk of picking up and spreading germs, but it will also keep your clothes and gear clean. You should also avoid setting your bag down on a bench or in the locker room since it can pick up and carry bacteria and viruses from floors, baskets, and other people’s towels.
