Gym-fit or Germed Up?
Sally Perkins looks at the importance of hygiene when using gym equipment.
Whether a fitness enthusiast with home equipment or a gym owner, putting hygiene first is necessary. Not only can unsanitary equipment put off potential users, but the lack of a rigorous cleaning regime may allow germs to accumulate and contaminate those who come into contact with them. Suppose precautions are not taken to prevent this. In that case, the unwary fitness enthusiast's urge to keep fit may lead to an illness and the need to put a training programme on hold during recovery.
A Germ Playground
Gym machinery and equipment can become a perfect habitat for germs. Packed with weights machines, cardio equipment, mats, and free weights, any piece of equipment can come into contact with over thirty people daily in a medium-sized gym. If just one of those thirty people is careless with their hygiene regimes, that means twenty-nine others come into contact with their sweat and germs daily. It is not just the machines; the water fountain tap, the shower room floor, and the paper towel dispenser are all areas where bacteria can breed and spread - it could put some off going for a workout forever! However, remember that some of these hazards are unavoidable in daily life, for example, on public transport, so it is not a case of just avoiding the gym to stay healthy.
Clean Machines
A regular cleaning routine in the gym decreases the likelihood of becoming ill and enhances the equipment's effectiveness. For instance, fitness machines with heart-rate sensors are susceptible and will be less accurate if the sensor pads are dirty, and machines will gradually become damaged if they are exposed to sweat and dust. Whilst most gyms provide sanitising spray to be used on machinery, which should be taken advantage of, it would not hurt to carry a little bottle of hand sanitiser and ensure hands are washed before and after a training session. The workout kit should be removed from gym bags and put on a warm wash cycle as soon as possible after a training session.
Common Sense
Finally, no matter how determined the participant, they should follow common-sense rules regarding their health when embarking on a training regime. They should take a day or two out of their training programme if they have an illness. The dangers of going to the gym when unwell are not only that others may be infected, but an unhealthy person may injure themselves through lack of focus due to their illness, potentially resulting in having to drop their training routine, at least for a short while.
Although gyms can be a breeding place for germs, this should not be a reason to avoid them. When choosing a gym, potential members should see whether they promote good hygiene practices, have sanitising spray, are encouraged to wipe down machines, or if the area is clean. Members should supplement these considerations by ensuring their hygiene practices are stringent, particularly after a gym session. These precautions should minimise the chances of contracting germs and enjoying pursuing fitness goals uninterrupted by illness.
Page Reference
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- PERKINS, S. (2017) Gym-fit or Germed Up? [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article270.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Sally Perkins is a professional freelance writer with years of experience in many different areas. She moved to freelancing from a stressful corporate job and loves the work-life balance it offers her. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and travelling as much as possible.