David and I are working towards a better life style which includes exercise. However with the advent of cold, flu and allergy season, GERMS are something that we should be thinking about. While IMMUNE ROLL ON HERBAL BLEND is always in my purse, I've now put a spray bottle into both David's and my gym bags.
check out this article from Sparkpeople.com
You hit the gym to improve your
fitness, not to pick up sickness. But with the combination of sweat, humidity,
shared equipment and confined spaces, health clubs can be hotbeds for germs.
From the common cold to hepatitis A to Novovirus,
there could be dozens of bacteria and viruses lurking in, on and around your
favorite workout gear—some of which can live for days on hard surfaces. A study
published in the Clinical
Journal of Sports Medicine found
that 63 percent of workout equipment was contaminated with rhinoviruses (RVs), which are known to cause the
common cold as well as upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
This doesn't mean you should
stop going to the gym—the benefits far outweigh the risks. With the
right awareness and precautions, you can still get your sweat on without
bringing home any unwelcome companions. The first step to avoiding gym germs is
knowing where they live. Below are some of their favorite health club hangouts,
along with precautions you can take to protect yourself.
Hotspot #1:
Water Fountains
Studies
have found that water fountains can actually harbor more
bacteria than toilets, as their wet surface makes them a breeding ground for
germs. The basin is most likely to be contaminated, but the handle may also
contain some nasty microbes.
The safest way to hydrate is to bring your own
water bottle. If you must use the fountain, follow these precautions: Turn it
on for a few seconds before drinking from it, don't let your mouth come in
direct contact with the spigot, touch only the handle and wash your hands
afterward.
Hotspot #2:
Locker Rooms and Showers
Germs thrive in wet, humid areas--putting locker
rooms and showers right in the danger zone. The biggest threat is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium that can cause skin infections. Showers can
also pass along warts, ringworm, strep, athlete's foot and other not-so-fun
fungi.
The best way to stay safe is to shower at home—but
if you must lather up in the locker room, wear flip-flops to avoid coming in
direct contact with floor-dwelling microbes (and to prevent slipping). Other
best practices include bringing your own antimicrobial soap and shampoo, drying
your feet thoroughly after showering, and wearing a towel when sitting in the
steam room or sauna.
Hotspot #3: Yoga
Mats
Next time you're doing crunches or settling into
your favorite stretch, consider that your exercise mat most likely absorbed the
sweat and germs of whoever last sweated on it. The best precaution is to bring
your own mat. If you must use a shared mat, wipe it down with a disinfecting
spray before and after each use, and place a towel on the mat as an extra germ
barrier.
Hotspot #4: Cardio Machines
Treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes are great for burning calories,
but the trade-off could be a burning fever later. To reduce the threat, use
hand sanitizer after your workout. Most gyms provide sanitizing spray to wipe
down machines before and after each use.
Hotspot #5: Weight Machines & Free Weights
As people do full-body exercises with
shared weight machines, there's a bigger chance of spreading germ-filled sweat.
Again, sanitizer is the best defense: Spray down and wipe each machine before
and after each use, and apply hand sanitizer between sets.
Hotspot #6: Gym Bags
In addition to clothes and gear, your gym bag could pick up some unwelcome
passengers—like E. coli, Norovirus and staph—through contact with benches and
floors. To prevent this, choose a bag in a material that's less germ-friendly,
such as plastic or vinyl, and wipe it down with disinfecting spray when you get
home. Store sweaty clothes in a separate plastic bag.
Hotspot #7: Towels
Even if the gym's towels have been washed, they could have picked up bacteria
or viruses from baskets, benches or lockers. To stay clean, dry and germ-free,
bring your own towels from home: One to absorb sweat during workouts and
another if you're showering.
Quick Tips for Germ-Free Workouts
·
Before choosing a new gym, take
a tour and check to make sure it's clean and well-ventilated. Ask about the
gym's policies for day-to-day cleaning of equipment and machines.
·
Keep any cuts covered with a
moisture-resistant bandage during workouts. Most infections enter the skin
through lacerations.
·
Bring your own water bottle, mat,
towels, boxing gloves and toiletries.
·
Wipe down all cardio and weight
machines with sanitizing spray before and after using.
·
Wear flip-flops in the shower and
locker room.
·
Wear a towel when sitting in the
steam room or sauna.
·
Even if you plan to shower at home,
wash your hands before leaving the gym.
·
Store sweaty workout clothes
separately from other items.
·
Spray your gym bag with sanitizing
spray and wipe it down after each use.
·
If you notice any skin irritations,
such as a rash or red, painful area, contact a doctor to check for possible
infection.
How
do you avoid germs at the gym?
