Ah, January — time for those pesky New Year’s resolutions. And, not surprisingly, gyms across America see an upswing in gym memberships after the first of the year.
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However, as reported by Livestong, the gym is not always the cleanest or most hygienic place in the world, especially during cold and flu season.
Taking precautions at the gym will help you avoid viruses, infections and sickness.
High school, college and pro athletes in sports including wrestling and baseball have come down with staph infections in recent years, in some cases MRSA, the potentially deadly strain that is immune to antibiotics.
It's not always clear where these and other infections originate, but athletes are at risk because they tend to get nicks and cuts, and also to share equipment and towels.
If your workout space or gym is located in your home, kill bacteria by letting the sun shine in. Research suggests letting sunlight in through your windows kills bacterial germs living in household dust. If you’re in a gym, head for the brightly lit area near the windows, if possible.
The average American spends about 93% of their time indoors, making them susceptible to the potential negative health effects associated with indoor toxins.
Chemical toxins from flame retardants that leach from electronics and old furniture are where many of these indoor toxins originate. They are known to accumulate in household dust, so wipe down surfaces and vacuum regularly.
Another precaution for avoiding sickness at home and in the gym, is to remember to wash your hands often.
If you’ve been taught that washing your hands in warm water is necessary to get rid of dirt, germs and bacteria, you need to know that using cold water works as well as hot water if you follow a few important methods. It's the length of time and the method that make all the difference.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently states that plumbing fixtures, especially in restaurants, should deliver water a minimum of 100 to 108 degrees F for people to get their hands clean. But, cold water is just as effective if people wash their hands for 10 seconds, using soap and the proper hand-washing method.
Here are six commonsense steps to protect yourself at the gym:
- Make sure the equipment is clean. Take your own precautions. Most gyms have towels and spray cleaners available and require users to wipe down the equipment after they use it.
- Sharing is not always best. Don't use someone else's towel. Also, consider purchasing your own basic equipment, like yoga mats.
- Shower right after you exercise. Don't wait around in your sweaty clothes if you've been using common equipment or participating in a contact sport. Don't use a communal bar of soap, either.
- Wear flip-flops or shower shoes when showering. While staph gets the headlines, athlete's foot is still a pain. Protect yourself by keeping your feet off the communal shower floor.
- Think twice about the sauna or the whirlpool if you have a cut, scrape or bad bruise. A couple of microbes thrive in hot water. If you do use a hot tub, shower afterward.
- Don't ignore symptoms. Whether or not you've worked out lately, pay attention to a scratch, bruise or cut that becomes red, hot or tender.