Follow these seven tips to protect yourself from germs in the gym.

Cleaning the equipment is a great way to protect yourself from germs in the gym.

New Year's resolutions often mean that more people are doing everything they can to stay fit. However, it is just as important to stay healthy during the training despite the penetration of germs.

"There are risks when you go to the gym," said Dr. Jerry Zuckerman, vice president of infection prevention and control at Hackensack Meridian Health . "Part of the environment is fertile soil for fungi and bacteria."

Here are some tips on how people can stay protected and avoid getting sick in the gym:

1. To clean a device. Regardless of whether you need to bring your own towels or whether your gym provides them, cleaning all the equipment you use is essential during the cold and flu season and in every season. Any type of antibacterial or disinfectant wipe is sufficient. The key is to be consistent. "Clean the equipment before and after use," said Zuckerman. Doing this later helps the person who will use the device. Doing so is for your protection. You do not have to clean when you switch between machines, as is the case with circuit training. If no one else is using the device during this time, it is okay to clean it only after it is finished.
2. Bring a rug from home. Many people exercise with exercise mats, but they are used so often that they are a breeding ground for germs. The carpets have many corners and cracks, which makes them difficult to clean, even if they are cleaned by other people after use. Besides machines, carpets are the most commonly used equipment in most gyms, so they are more likely to contain germs. Bring your own mat and put it on the floor under you during the exercises to make sure, Zuckerman said.
3. Knowledge. Fitness equipment is not the only place where viruses and bacteria can spread. Watch out for people who can have a cold. If a person who participates in contact sports is sick, it is a good idea not to participate. Also put a bandage on all wounds and cover them with clothes; Beware of others who may have visible rashes or open wounds; Without skin that protects us, germs can enter the body directly, making it more susceptible to infection. Outbreaks of staphylococcal infections related to contact sports have been reported in the past. Cleaning things with a disinfectant wipe can kill staph and avoiding others with open wounds is a smart idea.
4. Avoid the towels. Towels that are available in the gym seem to be beneficial, but still carry germs after washing. "Use your own towel; You don't know how well your gym cleaned, "said Zuckerman.
5. Look at the humidity. Most of us know that we shouldn't approach wet floors with our bare feet, be it in a shower, a hammam, or a pool in the gym. It's an easy way to avoid germs and fungi. Also use your own towel if you are sitting on a bench in the dressing room as this surface can also be full of germs.
6. Protect your children. Before you leave your gym at the daycare center, learn about your gym's guidelines for sick children. A gym that sick children are not allowed to enter means that your child is less likely to catch something. The gym should regularly clean all toys and surfaces in the guard room. However, you can protect your child by cleaning their hands before and after entering the room.
7. Put on clean clothes. It's a good idea to shower and change immediately after a sweaty workout. If this is not possible, you should at least change your clothes. Don't exercise and spend the rest of the day in sportswear. Even if you're not sweating, it's a good idea to change, Zuckerman said.

If you feel like you spend more time cleaning fitness equipment than exercising, don't worry. By converting some protective measures into normal habits, you can exercise and protect yourself from infections at the same time.

"You can control your own safety by doing some of these very simple things," said Zuckerman. "And do it regularly."

If you have a cold or infection and want to feel better now, Hackensack Meridian Health offers several convenient care options, including emergency services and retailers, as well as telemedicine. Request more information or find a location near you .

The material provided by the Health Hub is for general information only and does not replace your doctor's advice. Always ask your doctor for individual attention.

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