While washing your hands is important all year long, flu season brings extra attention to the task. But one place you may not realize how important good hygiene is? The gym.
Jake Camfield says the gym is part of his daily routine, but staying in shape isn't his only focus.
"If you know you're sick, or you're about to get sick, or you're just worried about others, just wipe it down. It really doesn't take that much time," Camfield said.
Wiping down fitness equipment is crucial to protect yourself and others so you don't pick up germs while working out.
"There are stations where there's hand wipes everywhere, it makes it really easy for everybody to wipe it down. It's just remember when you're done to do that," Camfield said.
Trainer Brendan Harberts says in addition to sanitizing wipes throughout the gym, hand sanitizer is readily available to members, making the clean-up process an easy one.
"It's just common courtesy to make sure that if you're done with a machine, or a treadmill, or a barbell, something like that, just wiping it down. It's always good to keep things clean," Harberts said.
Even if you're not breaking a sweat, trainers say wiping down your equipment is a must.
In a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health, 25 different categories of bacteria were found on exercise equipment, handrails, and toilets across four different gyms.
"During the cold and flu season that's how germs spread. Gyms are obviously, you know you touch everything when you're inside a gym, and a lot of people touch all of the equipment so it's important to make sure you're wiping it down all the time," Harberts said.
A simple task that may help prevent the spread of germs, to yourself and others.
For more information on how to keep germs away during your workout, visit ConsumerSafety.org.
© 2017 KELOLAND TV. All Rights Reserved.
- Wellness & Nutrition
- What's Going Around
- Health Beat
- General
- HealthBeat
- {{Title}}
- Sioux Falls