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By Accent by Chubb, February 2016
For years, health magazines have warned about hygiene in the gym; after all, sweaty surfaces and steamy rooms can encourage all sorts of nasty gym germ microbes to flourish. But it’s the surfaces you might least suspect that are some of the most contaminated, warns a study from the University of Arizona, which found that nearly a third of gym surfaces tested positive for contamination (toilet seats are among the cleanest surfaces!).
But coverage of this topic has changed, because superbugs like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (or MRSA) have become more widespread. For instance, in a Men’s Fitness article from only two years ago, experts warned that: you can pick up human papillomavirus (HPV) from walking barefoot in bathrooms; Klebsiella—a bacteria found in human intestines that can result in blood infections and meningitis—and also E. coli can be found on shared surfaces like cardio machines, workout mats and lockers; Staphylococcus aureus, which causes skin infections, can get passed along via skin-to-skin contact or exercise equipment surfaces; and candida, strep and the flu are also regular gym-goers.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers are warning against everything from norovirus, which can survive up to a month on an exercise machine, to the potentially deadly MRSA, which can be picked up through just a small wound. Each year, reports the CDC, more than 80,000 serious cases are diagnosed in the United States. Professional athletes or serious gym-goers can be particularly susceptible, since they’re more likely to play or work out when wounded.
Gym Germ Tips
Use a bit of extra gym hygiene to keep the bugs at bay:
- Inspect the gym before joining, looking for cleanliness, good ventilation and adequate housekeeping staff.
- Wear flip-flops in the shower.
- Don’t share gear, soap, makeup or deodorant.
- Cover up cuts with a bandage, or even a piece of tape.
- Bring your own antibacterial spray (the EPA publishes a list of approved products to disinfect against MRSA and other microbes).
- Don’t shave at the gym or right before going.
- Don’t touch your face while working out (since germs love the nose, ears and mouth).
- Wipe down your gym bag with disinfectant and keep dirty clothes in a separate bag or compartment. Choose vinyl or plastic gym bags, which germs and bacteria are less likely to adhere to. If you use a canvas or cloth bag, put it in the wash with a bleach or peroxide-based detergent and hot water once a week.
Researchers point to free weights, weight machines and exercise balls as some of the hottest spots for germs, recommending that you rub antibacterial gel on your hands before and after your workout, and wipe down equipment with spray. The locker room is also a breeding ground for bacteria, starting with the fecal matter people can track into the room on their sneakers.
Bringing your own exercise or yoga mat to the gym with you is a good idea, since shared exercise mats are another key danger zone. After each use, clean your mat with a bleach-based wipe or 60 percent alcohol disinfectant spray.
The CDC warns that even the most chemically treated swimming pools can harbor the chlorine-resistant pathogen cryptosporidium, which results in 62 percent of pool-related diarrhea outbreaks. Because chlorine releases its odor as it reacts with microorganisms, the stronger the smell, the dirtier the pool. Always wear goggles, a cap and even earplugs in the water.
Though the thought of gym germs can make even the most unruffled among us squeamish, practicing a little common sense goes a long way in staying free of these contaminants. There’s no reason to be antisocial—just don’t socialize with the bugs.
Source: http://accent.chubb.com/fight-gym-germs