If you made a New Year's resolution to improve your health, exercise may be a part of it. But how germy is your gym, especially during respiratory illness season?
“First of all, COVID, flu and norovirus are prominent right now, so we have to be aware of the surfaces we touch in the gym,” noted Dr. Christopher Harkin, SSM Health Urgent Care. “Surfaces like the weights, cardio equipment, gym mats, bathrooms and locker rooms have all been touched by numerous people in the effort to get healthy, so you need to incorporate some habits for sanitation.”
How to avoid sickness at the gym
Dr. Harkin recommends a few easy practices to stay well:
- Disinfect surfaces before touching the equipment
- Refrain from touching your face while working out
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
- Wipe down equipment after using it to protect fellow exercisers who come after you
“Norovirus, in particular, is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and can be contracted by merely touching the same weights or other equipment that an infected person was using,” said Harkin. “Handwashing with soap and water is the key. Hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus, but it is better than nothing while at the gym. Therefore, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water after your workout.”
After the workout
When you have finished your workout, Dr. Harkin says there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of illness:
- Change your clothes
- Wash the clothes you wore during your workout
- Take a shower as soon as possible
- Wash your water bottle
“Often, people use their water bottle several times before washing it,” Harkin said. “Your water bottle can get full of germs. You really need to wash it frequently and thoroughly.”
That means to wash your water bottle with soap and a bottle brush. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of the lid, nozzle and any straw attachments, too.
Don’t go to the gym if you are not feeling well
“A lot of people are gym warriors and try to push through injuries and illnesses, but if you’re sick, do everyone a favor and stay home,” Harkin advised. “When you’re feeling ill, it's best to let your body relax and rest. This will also help prevent the spread of germs to other people.”
If you feel unwell and need to see a doctor or would like to get updated on vaccines, head to primary care or SSM Health Urgent Care or Express Clinics.
