How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1
Wash your hands before and after using exercise equipment to rid your hands of germs.
Step2
Spray disinfectant provided by the gym on any exercise equipment you use both before and after you use the equipment.
Step3
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.
Step4
Wear water shoes or flip-flops when walking in the shower or sauna so you can avoid contracting athlete's foot.
Step5
Place a towel on the sauna seat before sitting down to avoid contact with the surface, which may contain fungi.
Step6
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.
Step7
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.

Comments

| View All Comments

mike222 said

Flag This Comment

on 5/3/2008 i started using gymsoap after the gym and love it. a friend that wrestles told me it helped get rid of the ringworm he got that is very common from the gym. it is my new favoriate soap. www.gymsoap.com

mike222 said

Flag This Comment

on 5/3/2008 GymSoap helped rid the ringworm I got at the gym. A friend that wrestles told me it really works to prevent nasty bacteria from staying on you after a workout. I love it. www.gymsoap.com

Flag This Comment

on 1/21/2008 I got a really bad respitory infection at a public gym. Be careful, because I thought I was very clean, but apparently something got into my lungs.

Flag This Comment

on 11/4/2007 how do you get rid of germs in a gym

get all of the lads out

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

eHow Health Editor

eHow Health Editor

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.