Healthy Living
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
How to Avoid Getting Sick at The Gym
user
The other day I was
completely grossed out and horrified when some rude, sneezing,
snarfing, and sick person was working out next to me. (Makes
no sense, because we’re working out to feel good and get
fit/healthy right)? With all the people, sweat, and warmth,
gyms are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Here
are a few ways to protect yourself and avoid getting sick from
nasty germs (and people) at the gym.
Stay home if you're sick. Do you
want to catch a cold from a sick person at the gym? Of course
not! And other people don’t want to pick up your sick germs
either. If you are have a fever, are sneezing, and/or coughing, you
are contagious. Stay home. If you have a cold, give
yourself a chance to rest and recover and return to the gym when
you are feeling better. If you do feel up to working out, try
exercising at home or outdoors instead where you won’t infect
others.
If someone is sick, stay away from
them. Studies show germs from a
sneezing/coughing person travel up to a 4 to 6-feet. So stay
at least 8 to 10 feet away from someone who is coughing or
sneezing. If the person seems really ill then, inform the gym
manager who should ask that member to leave immediately.
(Plus, you’ll avoid a potentially uncomfortable confrontation with
the person. Let the gym manager play bad cop.)
Clean the gym equipment before and after use.
All gyms should have spray bottles with
cleaning solution and paper towels available. Don't assume that
the person who used the machine before you cleaned it. Wipe the
machine down before you use it and clean it again when you're
finished. Clean the handles, keypads, and tension adjusters—any
place the person before you may have touched.
Rally your gym to properly clean the
equipment. Ask your gym to use
green, biodegradable anti-microbial
cleaning disinfectant to clean the gym equipment. During flu
season the equipment should be cleaned and wiped down frequently
during the day, especially during high use periods. *One pet
peeve I personally have is when the cleaning crew uses the same
filthy rag over and over again. This is spreading germs, not
killing them. Speak with the gym manager to inform the
cleaning crew to change rags frequently along with washing them
afterwards for proper disinfecting.
CONTINUE
READING: How to Avoid Getting Sick at The Gym
By Linda LaRue for
Intent.com
For more green fitness inspiration check out Linda's free,
digital emagazine,
Make Healthy A
Lifestyle.
Related: swine flu, gym
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Posted by HawkeyeGirl Fri May 1, 2009 11:02am PDT
This is okay advice, but the fact of the matter is that the gym is going to be gross no matter what you do, and it isn't possible to clean off every barbell if you are doing drop sets, and you can't steam clean the flooring if you sit to stretch.
Just use common sense. Your best bet is to wear clean clothes to the gym, clean off the equipment the best you can, wash your hands in between lifting and doing cardio, and shower at home in your own clean bathroom. That means driving home sweaty, but I keep Clorox wipes in the car and swipe down my leather seats, steering wheel, and door handle. Shower when you get home and immediately toss your workout clothes in the washing machine.
You're going to be exposed at the gym, but if you clean yourself up afterwords, you'll be just fine.
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Posted by Lizbeth Sat May 2, 2009 3:05pm PDT
My gym is great about keeping gym wipes and sanitizer on hand in both the weight and cardio rooms. Because it's a small gym people are more accountable to each other too. I notice that people shut off lights, clean their equipment and put things away that they've used. It's really refreshing coming from a 'big warehouse' gym when I lived in the city.
Good tips!
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Posted by xenagurl Mon May 4, 2009 12:43pm PDT
A good portion of people these days think too much of themselves to be sanitary. This is why I don't go to the gym at all. I can work out just as well at home or outside. As nice as the general concept of a gym is, I feel no need to share nearly every bodily fluid imaginable with perfect strangers for no apparent reason.
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Posted by milla Tue May 5, 2009 6:46am PDT
i cant speak for all the gyms in Italy, but the one I go to, which is not cheap by any means, doesn't have sanitizer bottles or wipes, or require that people bring towels. I'm almost positive they never wipe down any of the machines either, since I have never seen them and they are aways sticky and dusty. seriously. can't wait to come back home to the U.S. - talk about gross, and scary.
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Posted by BrnxBmbr Tue May 5, 2009 9:32am PDT
Exactly! STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!!! I don't understand why people insist on going to work, school, the gym, or just out in general if they are sick? I mean WTF people? Get a freaking clue!
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Posted by Dale Reynolds Tue May 26, 2009 8:47pm PDT
There is time to wipe everything or remember not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. That is the most important thing that they are not mentioning. Some coughing or sneezing may only have allergies you cant have them leave the gym. Again dont touch eyes, nose or mouth until you wash or sanitize.
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