How to Stay Germ and Disease-Free at the Gym

Working out at the gym is great for our health. It makes us fitter, stronger, and more vibrant. However, for all of its benefits, the gym is not entirely without risks. With all those people working out in a tight, enclosed facility, the spread of germs and microbes is a common occurrence. Read on to learn how you can safeguard yourself while working out at the gym.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antispectic Spray
• Common Sense
• Sandals

1. 
    
   Hand Sanitizer

   Use Antiseptic Spray/Sanitizer - Make it a habit to bring a small bottle of antiseptic spray and/or hand sanitizer with you on your next gym visit. Spray each piece of equipment that you use, and be sure to sanitize your hands after finishing up a workout on each piece of equipment.

2. 
    
   Clean Workout Towel

   Keep Your Workout Towel Clean - Never use your workout towel to wipe off another person's sweat on a piece of equipment. Either refrain from using that piece of equipment, or use a disposable towel and your antiseptic spray to clean off the machine.

3. 
    
   Breath Through Your Nose

   Breathe Through Your Nose - When working out, make it a point to breathe through your nose. Your nose is much more effective at trapping airborne germs and bacteria than your mouth is. And in a crowded, congested place like a gym, with all those heavy breathing, coughing, and sneezing bodies, the potential to pick up an airborne "bug" is quite high!

4. 
    
   Never Go Barefoot

   No Bare Feet - When changing in the locker room, or when walking towards the showers and/or spa facilities after your workout, DO NOT allow your bare feet to contact the gym floor. The gym floor is a nasty, unforgiving place; with all those other people walking around barefooted, that gym floor is a cesspool of contamination. There's not telling what you might pick-up off that floor. Wear sandals, shower shoes, or shoes at all times!

5. 
    
   Off-Peak Hours

   Structure Your Visit - If at all possible, schedule your workout times for periods when the gym is at its least crowded. With fewer people bodies working out at any given time, the less chance you will have of picking up any type of bug or sickness.

[Thims]

on 9/9/2008 The only problem for me with the hand sanitizer is it dries my skin out something wicked! Great subject.