The gym is a breeding ground for bacteria
Are you fanatically training in the gym? Also pay attention to your hygiene, because in such a room with sweating people, equipment and weights, it is teeming with bacteria. Without knowing it, you come home with a cold virus. With these seven hygiene tips you will come out of the gym really fit.
1. Wash your sportswear regularly
It is possible that after a sports session you think that you have not sweated so much and that you can put on your outfit – without washing – again. While this can’t hurt that much after wearing it twice, it’s not such a good idea. Sportswear is often made of a synthetic fabric, fits tightly around your body and absorbs sweat during exercise. This ensures that it quickly becomes a nice place for bacteria, which also gives it an unpleasant odor.
2. Use your own stuff
Go to the gym well prepared so you can be sure you have everything you need and don’t have to borrow a towel or water bottle from someone else. You never know whether the person has been sick or has a cold, or has had a cold sore, for example.
3. Do not exercise if you are sick or have a cold
If you do not feel completely well, you can in principle still exercise, but it is not really nice for yourself and others. This way you recover less quickly, because your energy is mainly used for sports. In addition, you also take more account of your fellow man if you just stay at home and do not infect others with your coughing and sniffling. If you feel like it, you can of course do a short workout at home.
4. Clean fitness equipment after use
Often fitness equipment is not cleaned after use, or people just grab their towel. You better not do both. In gyms, wipes and cleaning sprays are always available to clean the equipment. Use it really, preferably both before and after exercise. You are not sure whether your predecessor has wiped the device.
You can also put a towel on your device during your workout. This prevents sweat from getting on it, and then you don’t have to clean your device afterwards. That saves some work and is very hygienic.
5. Don’t touch your face after an exercise (and wash your hands)
If you sweat a lot on your face, you tend to wipe your forehead with your towel. The same ones you probably use to put on the fitness machines. Not a good idea, because this can cause skin infections such as acne. So regularly wash your hands with soap and water (or an antibacterial hand gel) and use a separate, clean towel for your face.
6. Only wear your sneakers indoors
You sometimes see it: people who enter the gym with the same shoes and leave again. The result is that the floor becomes sandy and the soles of other people, who do wear special indoor sports shoes, also get dirty. That’s not nice for sports, especially if you want to do floor exercises. So purchase separate sports shoes for indoors, so that the gym remains a pleasant, clean environment for everyone.
7. Shower Immediately After Exercise
Take a refreshing shower immediately after exercise. Do not wait for hours, because this gives bacteria the chance to heat up and can cause a yeast infection in your vagina, for example. Wash your pubic area with water and change your underwear afterwards to prevent this infection.
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