How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

Viruses and bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments and are therefore extremely prevalent in most gyms. By taking a few simple precautionary measures, you can visit your gym and avoid germs while you exercise to improve your overall health.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wash your hands before and after using exercise equipment to rid your hands of germs.

2. Spray disinfectant provided by the gym on any exercise equipment you use both before and after you use the equipment.

3. Bring two different-colored towels with you to the gym. Wipe your own sweat with one towel and use the second towel to wipe down the surface of the exercise equipment you want to use. This will remove any sweat the previous user left on the equipment, and since you're using two different towels, you won't expose yourself to others' germs.

4. Wear water shoes or flip-flops when walking in the shower or sauna so you can avoid contracting athlete's foot.

5. Place a towel on the sauna seat before sitting down to avoid contact with the surface, which may contain fungi.

6. Fill up a water bottle at home and bring it with you to the gym. Avoid putting your mouth or your empty water bottle anywhere near a gym water fountain or water cooler. Germs pass easily from a water bottle to the fountain tap and back to another bottle if people hold their bottles against the tap when filling them.

7. Shower immediately after you finish exercising because it is unhealthy to leave the gym soaked in sweat. Showering allows you to avoid getting sick from the germs you were exposed to while working out.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to be sure the gym you plan on joining has good ventilation so you don't breathe in lots of recycled air.

• Don't touch your eyes, mouth or face while at the gym because this kind of contact is how viruses are transmitted.

• Never share your water bottle with anyone else at the gym.