20 Jun Exploring the Drawbacks of Gym Memberships: Germs

If you are considering joining a gym, there are several things you will want to keep in mind before signing up.  While having a gym membership can be a great way to stay fit, there are also some major issues that you may face after joining.  Therefore, over the next few days, we will explore some of the downsides to joining a gym and what you can do to keep yourself protected and safe.

One of the biggest problems with gyms that many people fail to realize is the fact that they are often crawling with bacteria.  After all, there may be literally hundreds of people using the gym on a daily basis, and most them aren’t carrying around sanitizing spray and spraying down their equipment after they are done using it.

The fact is that approximately 80% of infectious diseases are transmitted through indirect and direct contact with others.  Therefore, the close proximity of individuals working out together in one place coupled with the sweaty bodies and shared use of equipment and locker rooms makes it quite easy for germs to spread.  Germs that are commonly shared among gym members include the flu virus and athlete’s foot.

To help reduce your chances of picking up germs while at the gym, you should bring your own towel to use when wiping down equipment and a separate towel for wiping your hands.  Many experts also recommend wearing long sleeves and pants in order to reduce contact with germs, but this may not be comfortable while working out.  When in the locker room and showers, however, you should be certain to wear flip-flops or water shoes and you should avoid sitting down on any surfaces while nude.

Of course, if you set up your own gym at home, you won’t have to worry about any of these problems, so check out the home fitness equipment available at AtHomeFitness and see about setting up your own gym so you can avoid coming into contact with the germs that abound at the gym.