If you’re an avid gym goer, squats and bench presses aren’t the only thing you should be thinking about when you’re at the gym. According to a study, the equipment found at the gym is a lot dirtier than you think. In fact, after swabbing 27 pieces of gym equipment, at three different facilities, researchers found that the average machine was covered with more than one million units of bacteria. Yuck!
Cardio equipment, such as exercise bikes and treadmills had 39 times more bacteria than a reusable cafeteria tray, and 74 more times bacteria than a water faucet. If you enjoy using free weights, you might want to bring some sanitizer! Free weights have 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat!
Here are the best ways to reduce the risk of picking up, and transferring, germs at the gym:
- Wash your hands after your workout
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth during your workout
- Wipe equipment down before and after you use it
- Wash your gym clothes after each workout
