Most people don't want to really talk about this stuff. Let's face it. We go to the gym to get healthy. But chances are there's even more bacteria lurking in environments where people get hot and sweaty...together.
It's one thing to have a little dust here and there. It's a whole other dealio to actually walk into a gym and see loads of dirt, grime and dust bunnies everywhere. It takes constant attention to keep a gym environment clean. It takes vigilance to make a gym environment hygienic and keep the germs, bacteria and fungi, yes fungi at bay. I've actually heard of gyms in town where people pass around the same skin infection. Ackkkk!
When you hang at most big gyms, you see cleaners constantly working on the space. I"m constantly cleaning Urbanfitt. Getting a cleaner in once or twice a week isn't going to cut it. Many boutique fitness studios can't afford cleaners on a daily basis. So who's doing the daily cleaning of things like mats which are communal and often covered in dry sweat. This time of year is especially time consuming for me. Maggie is a shedding beast right now. I'm so embarrassed at times because I like Urbanfitt to always be a haven of peace, lack of clutter and freshness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a bacteria called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was recently found in recreational athletes. The CDC cites close physical contact and equipment sharing as reasons for outbreaks. Researchers have also found E. coli, strep-bacteria and the influenza virus in gyms and on athletic equipment.
This last flu season I made it out without getting sick despite coming in close contact with so many people in a sweaty environment. I always disinfect my hands between clients and use disinfectant cleaner on surfaces.
Other big things to watch out for at gyms is athlete's foot. Yum. How dirty do the floors look? If they look dirty then chances are they haven't been cleaned in a long time and there's going to be loads of stuff to pick up if you're training barefoot.
With the growing movement to train barefoot, this is a biggie.
Just some happy thoughts as the season to sweat more due to the weather has arrived. When leaving your gym, always disinfect your hands. And if your gym of choice is, shall we say gritty at best, get in the shower ASAP after your work out. It's not being paranoid. It's being practical people.
Jane Clapp
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