The gym isn’t always the best place to protect yourself from germ while you are dedicating your time to actually feel good. In fact, gyms are a place that can be full of germs lurking in every corner. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to stop going to the gym in order to keep yourself away from germs–germs are everywhere. It is a bit inevitable to completely keep yourself away from germs when you leave your home. However, there are a few things you can consciously do that can help the germs latch onto someone else and not yourself.
Here are three tips for helping reduce your chances of getting sick that go beyond wiping down the machines before and after you are done with them.
BYOM – Bring Your Own Mat
Mats are one of the germiest places that germs and bacteria love to hang out on at the gym. If you bring your own mat though, then you know exactly the last time it was cleaned, who was on your mat last, and just how well of a cleaning it had prior to you using it. While you are at it, you may want to bring your own towel too–you just never can be too sure.
Don’t Touch Your Face
Unless you are wearing gloves over your hands while in the gym and then taking them off to acknowledge any scratch on your face, then it is pretty hard to keep your hands clean during your whole gym session. To avoid feeling annoying scratches creeping in, make sure all of your flyaways are secured back and that your face isn’t dry. If you have to wipe any sweat, then that is what your towel is for. Keeping your hands away from your face will help keep germs from entering your body.
Shower Immediately After
A gym is a warm environment due to all of the heavy breathing and increased body temperatures of everyone around you. Bacteria and fungus LOVE warm environments, therefore bacteria and fungus love to thrive in gyms. After you are done working out, immediately head home and shower ASAP. Otherwise, pack your flip-flops, grab your towel and hit the showers in the gym.
