Cover your bases
Be patient and respectful
A gym can be the perfect environment for
bacterial growth. Some of the most germinfested spots include cardio equipment,
public mats, weights and weight machines, locker rooms and, you guessed
it, the drinking fountains. This doesn’t
necessarily mean you should avoid these
areas but be smart and bring flip-flops
and your own towel to the locker room.
Laying a towel down on the gym’s mat,
as well as sanitizing fitness machines are
other smart moves.
A study conducted by the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that 51
percent of cardio equipment tested was
infested with bacteria and viruses. Rhinovirus, also known as the common cold,
was the most prevalent virus. If that is
not enough to peak your awareness, New
York University Hospital found that staph
aureus, klebsillea (pneumonia, UTIs),
eterobacter (skin and respiratory tract infections), and E. coli were also found on
frequently used gym equipment. Yuck!
While you may be working out on your
own, it is important to remember that
you are sharing space and equipment
with others. If there is a wait for your
machine, offer it up between your sets
and if you’re on a cardio machine, try to
limit your workout to 30 minutes. Vice
versa, if you are in need of a machine,
do not hover or rudely rush the person
off. Try something different. Fitness
centers usually have trained personnel
on the floor who can guide you with appropriate exercises. For a simple question or two, there is usually no charge.
Lastly, make sure to put all the equipment you use back where you go it. This
is an incredibly simple but surprisingly
overlooked action.
Bottom line: Don’t be a hoverer;
it’s not cool.
One of the best things you can do in
your daily routine, as well as in your
fitness routine is to develop clean and
Bottom line: clean and sanitize
conscientious habits. These will not
every machine before and after only help to improve your overall gym
you use it, stick to your own equip- experience and well-being but help to
ment, invest in a water bottle and maintain a safe, healthy and motivating
place for others. As what experts say
take a shower.
“when people are rude, gross, or downright annoying, it can be frustrating because they can distract us from our fitness goals, or worse, can hurt us.”