4 Ways to Avoid Gym Germs
Erin Kurdyla, SELF magazine
Let's face it; it's tough to avoid germs when you're breaking a sweat. And it's even harder to keep bacteria at bay if you're sharing space with hundreds of other fitness fans at the gym or in the studio. What's an exerciser to do to stay healthy and safe? Clean up your act with the help of these antimicrobial tools that will make your workouts anything but a dirty job.
Carry your own gym towel: Your hands aren't the only ones reaching for a towel from the stack at the front desk. Toss your own in your bag instead. A good choice, Silver Sport's antimicrobial eco-friendly bamboo towel ($34.99). It's amazingly soft and it uses Terra Silver antimicrobial technology that mitigates 99.9% of surface bacteria. That means if you're towel touches down on a dirty surface and then touches your hands/face you're still safe from the germs. Mine also went unwashed for days (oops left it in my gym bag) and remained surprisingly odor-free.
Related: How to Make DIY Cleaners
Bring your own equipment: Gym mats and props are dirty, so skip the shared equipment and bring your own. Go with Silver Sport's Silver Mat ($49.99). The nanosilver incorporated in the plush light-weight mat makes it the perfect companion for hot yoga or ab moves at the end of class. I love the Silver Shaper Pilates Roller Cover ($39.99) too. It's latex-free, protects from germs, and covers any standard foam roller. Great for massaging post-workout also. And thanks to their natural antimicrobial technology a quick wipe down with a damp cloth keeps bacteria and odor in check on both. You can skip the harsh chemicals and sprays!
Skip bare feet: Avoid letting your feet touch down in the showers, the locker rooms, or on pool decks by wearing flip flops. And opt to cover up those tootsies during yoga and Pilates classes, too. Blake Brody In-Studio Footwear ($98-$135) flats are bacteria barring and adorable. The natural antimicrobial liners protect you from any germs that are present on the studio floor. Extra benefits: since the liner has bacteriostatic properties(which inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria) and doesn't absorb moisture, it's non-marking and anti-odor so you never have to wash them!
See Also: What Your Hands Say About Your Health
Choose the right workout wear: Minimize germs with workout wear that provides antimicrobial and odor-eliminating technology. Try New Balance NBx Run Shorts and Adapter Short Sleeves Top ($45-$50).
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