Going to the gym keeps us fit, but our health can suffer due to the very high presence of bacteria on the equipment
Go to the gym it is an important habit to keep fit and improve physical health. However, many people don’t realize the hygiene risks associated with the use of shared equipment. According to several studies, including one conducted by the site FitRatedgym equipment can accommodate surprisingly high levels of bacteriaoften much higher than those of everyday objects such as toilet seats or sinks in public bathrooms.
In fact, the research found that the exercise bikes, treadmills and free weights present in three different gyms each contained over one million bacteria per square inch. These bacteria included gram-positive cocci, which can cause skin infections, gram-negative rods, some of which are resistant to antibiotics, and Bacillus, which causes respiratory, eye, and ear infections.
With the right precautions it is possible to minimize health risks
Data shows that an exercise bike can hold 39 times more bacteria than a cafeteria tray, while free weights can accommodate up to 362 times more germs than a toilet seat. Even treadmills are not exempt: on average, they are 74 times dirtier than a bathroom faucet public. These numbers are alarming when you consider how often people touch equipment during a day at the gym.
To protect yourself, it is essential to take some preventative measures. First, disinfect the equipment both before and after use is essential to reduce the risk of contamination. It is also advisable to avoid touching your face during training and wash your hands thoroughly once the session is over. Change out of gym clothes immediately and wash them after training is a further measure to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Finally, those who want to completely eliminate the risk of exposure to germs in public gyms could consider purchasing equipment for training at home. As the availability of high-quality, affordable fitness equipment increases, it is possible to stay fit without having to deal with the hygiene issues associated with public gyms.