Special Update: What Gym’s Don’t Want To You Know… How Clean Is Your Gym and What Should You Do To Protect Yourself? Presented by: Taylor Ryan http://www.fitness-analyzer.com Image source: http://lakehuron.ca

What The Heck Am I Doing? Let me clarify before I jump right in… I am a huge fan of gyms, I promote them, I go to them, heck the gym is my life! But that doesn’t make it clean. And that is what this is all about, the dirtiness, the germs, and the infections that plague the gym. So without further ado…

What Makes The Gym Prone To Germ Infestations? Lots of people Lots of exposed skin… no one likes to wear long sleeves and pants while they workout Lots of sweat… a germ breeding ground! Lots of unclean fitness equipment… remember you’re not the only one that has layed on that bench today.

Lots of people

Lots of exposed skin… no one likes to wear long sleeves and pants while they workout

Lots of sweat… a germ breeding ground!

Lots of unclean fitness equipment… remember you’re not the only one that has layed on that bench today.

Can The Germs Make You Sick? Sure they can! 80% of infectious diseases can be transmited from contact. ABC recently did a study showing various germs found on equipment: staph, e. coli, and klebsiela to name a few… all of which can have bad health effects How many people do you think picked up that weight today?

Sure they can! 80% of infectious diseases can be transmited from contact.

ABC recently did a study showing various germs found on equipment: staph, e. coli, and klebsiela to name a few… all of which can have bad health effects

The Dirty Germ Culprits? What has the most germ infestations? Dumbbells, Bikes and Benches… Oh my! Dumbbells make perfect sense because from time to time you see people wiping down benches and machines, but have you ever seen someone wipe down their dumbbells or the barbell? I bet not. The #1 germ gym hotspot: LOCKER ROOMS & SHOWER

How To Stay Germ Free and Stay In Shape Wipe down machines before and after you use them. No exceptions Drink Plenty Of Water to keep the immune system strong!

Wipe down machines before and after you use them.

No exceptions

Drink Plenty Of Water to keep the immune system strong!

You Can Do More To Protect Your Health… Wash your hands right after your workout… if you have been dealing with weights then trust me, there are germs to be dealt with. Bring your own towels. Sweat towels that the gyms provides don’t always smell the best and I take that as a sign that they aren’t cleaned the best either. Why risk it? Shower shoes. These should be your first investment after you joined a gym. Never shower barefoot if you can help it! They cost $2 at Walmart. Fight germs, fungus, an all hidden creepy things.

Wash your hands right after your workout… if you have been dealing with weights then trust me, there are germs to be dealt with.

Bring your own towels. Sweat towels that the gyms provides don’t always smell the best and I take that as a sign that they aren’t cleaned the best either. Why risk it?

Shower shoes. These should be your first investment after you joined a gym. Never shower barefoot if you can help it! They cost $2 at Walmart. Fight germs, fungus, an all hidden creepy things.

BONUS… What those tiny germs can do… Dr. Tierno, a microbiologist for NYU carried out the ABC study. Here are some germs he found and what they can do to you… Staphylococcus : toxic shock and dental caries Candida albicans : cause yeast infections Strands of some cold and flu viruses: need no explanation

So there you have it… the gym shouldn’t be avoided but be aware of the potential germiness. If you are sick have respect for others and stay away… For more info on weight lifting and articles on everything health and fitness check out: http://www.fitness-analyzer.com