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Take these precautions at the gym to avoid H1N1 and other dangerous viruses!

Viruses and bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments and are therefore extremely prevalent in most gyms. Think about those dumbbells, the pin in the weight stack and the buttons on the treadmill!  By taking a few simple precautionary measures, you can visit your gym and avoid germs while you exercise and improve your overall health.

Step One: Wash your hands before and after using exercise equipment to rid your hands of germs.  A lot of gyms are now providing hand sanitizer throughout their facilities, use the sanitizer often!

Step Two: Spray disinfectant or use the antibacterial wipes provided by the gym on any exercise equipment you use both before and after each exercise.

Step Three: Bring two different-colored towels with you to the gym. Wipe your own sweat with one towel and use the second towel to wipe down the surface of the exercise equipment you want to use. This will remove any sweat the previous user left on the equipment, and since you’re using two different towels, you won’t expose yourself to others’ germs.  Most gyms offer antibacterial wipes that have an alcohol base that you can also use to wipe down machines before and after use.

Step Four: Wear flip-flops when walking in the shower, sauna and locker rooms so you can avoid germs left on moist floors.

Step Five: Place a towel on the sauna seat before sitting down to avoid contact with the surface, which may contain fungi.  Humidity in saunas promote the growth of bacteria!

Step Six: Fill up a water bottle at home and bring it with you to the gym. Avoid putting your mouth or your empty water bottle anywhere near a gym water fountain or water cooler. Germs pass easily from a water bottle to the fountain tap and back to another bottle if people hold their bottles against the tap when filling them.  If you must use the water fountain at the gym, let the water run for a second to flush out any germs and be careful so that your lips do not touch any part of the fountain. Then make sure that you wash or sanitize your hands immediately after as bacteria may be lurking on the button used to activate the water fountain.

Step Seven: Shower immediately after you finish exercising. Showering allows you to avoid getting sick from the germs you were exposed to while working out.

Step Eight: Wear gloves when working out.  Weight lifting gloves can save your skin from blisters, calluses and germs!

Step Nine: Keep your gym bag clean.  The outside of your bag has been on the floor, the locker room and may have even bumped into someone sweaty.  The inside of your bag is moist and a breeding ground for bacteria, make sure to clean it out often.

Step Ten: Report to the management if you see any unsanitary conditions or unclean areas.  You should even report if other people at the gym aren’t cleaning up after themselves.

Bonus Tip!  Don’t touch your face with your hands!  Contact with your nose, mouth and eyes allow germs to enter your system!

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2096456_avoid-germs-gym.html http://www.ehow.com/how_4478145_avoid-getting-sick-gym-workouts.html