How to Fight Nasty Germs at the Gym

The gym is not your home. There are hundreds of people that go through the locker rooms, the showers, and the fitness areas every day. Not all of them are as concerned about spreading germs around as you are. They may have colds or infections that you don’t know about. Of course, people are supposed to be careful about those things but not everyone is considerate, so germs do tend to grow in fitness centers.

Should you stop going to the gym? Not necessarily. There are some precautions that you can take though to avoid those nasty germs at the gym.

1. Always bring your own flip flops and wear them in the shower. Shower stalls are especially prone to growing germs. Athlete’s foot is most commonly spread through floors that people walk on with their bare feet. While in the shower or change room, keep your flip flops on! The same goes for the sauna!
2. Need to sit down to change or dry off? Put a towel down first. You don’t know who was sitting there before you. Did they put a towel down? If not, there are all sorts of germs that could be on that bench!

3. It’s important to keep hydrated when you are working out so make sure you bring a reusable water bottle with you. One of the most common ways that the intestinal virus, norovirus, is spread is through water fountains. Some people get their mouths on the fountain, some people spit in fountains – don’t pick up those germs. Try to fill your water bottle at home so that you have no need to fill it up using the fountain at the gym. A bottle with a spout is best because you can avoid opening and closing the bottle and transferring germs from your hands to the opening of the bottle.

4. Have an ingrown toe nail, a scrape, or other open sore? Make sure you cover it and use antibiotic ointment when you’re going to the gym. Germs can enter open wounds and cause infections.

5. Keep your own gym bag clean and disinfected. Your bag gets around (stuffy locker, back seat of your car, under your desk, on the floor) and that increases the chances of it being in contact with germs. Spritz your bag with disinfectant spray before you bring it in the house and make sure that you wash it and the items in it regularly.

6. Do you use weight lifting gloves? They can collect germs too. Staph bacteria can especially be a concern as some studies have shown that this bacterium quickly binds to polyester, which is what most weight gloves are made from. Make sure you don’t touch your face when you are wearing them and keep them clean by washing them often in hot water.

7. Don’t share your towels with others. This is a great way to spread bacteria.

8. Avoid using the gym’s mats by bringing your own for using during yoga or floor routines. Mats can gather germs and pass on fungal infections. Keep your mat clean. If you have to use the mats provided by the gym, use hand gel or sanitizer spray to wipe it down and put your own clean towel on top of it. Alternatively, you can buy special non-slip socks to wear.

9. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! Get in the habit of sanitizing any kind of equipment you are going to touch. Most gyms are pretty good about supplying paper towels and sanitizing spray or gel but to be safe, keep some sanitizing wipes in your bag in case the gym runs out. Sanitize before and after you use equipment.

10. Wash your hands often. It’s hard to avoid touching your face, especially if you are sweating lots. Try to keep your own personal face clothing or small towel for wiping sweat off your face but you should still wash your hands. You can use sanitizing gel while you’re in the gym. Again, most gyms supply this but keep your own personal hand gel handy to be sure you have it when you need it. Remember that germs can enter through your mouth, nose, and ears so be conscious about touching your face if you haven’t used hand sanitizer recently.

Germs are everywhere that you go and it is impossible to avoid them completely. When you are in public places where germs tend to be more prolific and where there are environments that encourage gym growth, it is best to do whatever you can to avoid them. By implementing these simple tips, you are less likely to get infections – both bacterial and viral – that can make you very sick. Create habits that encourage cleanliness and you will feel better and have less of a chance of coming into contact with unhealthy germs.