Can Going To Gym Make You Sick? Here's What Science Says

Scientists discovered that gym equipment contains more bacteria than your toilet seat. The researchers collected samples from 27 gym machines and found more than a million germs per square inch on each piece of equipment.

Ever wondered if going to the gym can make you sick? Probably not. Right? But a recent study could prove you wrong. A team of scientists at FitRated have discovered that gym equipment contains more bacteria than your toilet seat. For their study, the researchers collected samples from 27 gym machines and found more than a million germs per square inch on each piece of equipment.

Machines Had More Bacteria Than Toilet Seat

Researchers found that free weights contain 362 times more germs than a toilet seat. Exercise bikes and treadmills are also ranked alarmingly high, carrying 39 and 74 times more bacteria than cafeteria trays and public sinks, respectively. Several machines were found to be laden with harmful bacteria. This included gram-positive cocci, which is responsible for skin infections and gram-negative bacteria that can cause diseases such as Pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infections (UTI) amongst others.

The study highlights that bacteria thrive on gym equipment due to its frequent use by multiple people. While gyms provide disinfectant wipes, towels etc to their users, for their hygiene, what they often snub is to clean the equipment.

A study regarding the same, titled Athletic equipment microbiota are shaped by interactions with human skin, was published in Microbiome in 2015. It stated that bacteria that colonize these indoor ecosystems are primarily derived from the human microbiome. The modes of human interaction with indoor surfaces and the physical conditions associated with each surface type determine the steady-state ecology of the microbial community. "Surface and equipment type had a stronger influence on bacterial community composition than the facility in which they were housed," the researcher said.

You Can Follow These Steps To Maintain Good Gym Hygiene

Try to always wear clean, washed clothes to the gym. Every time you exercise, your clothes accumulate sweat and other bacteria that can cause a foul smell and can also lead to infections.

Additionally, you can ask the gym staff to sanitize and clean the equipment frequently.

If you see a sitting bench wet from a chemical cleaning solution, allow it to dry before you decide to use it.

After completing your exercise, take a wipe or solution sprayed on a napkin and wipe where your skin made contact with the equipment or where sweat dripped. Avoid directly spraying chemical solutions onto equipment, as excess moisture can cause damage.

If you choose to shower after a workout, make sure that your wet feet do not directly come in contact with the floor of the gym. Wear flip-flops or any other footwear. Gym floors generally serve as a breeding ground for mould, fungi and bacteria that can infect your feet.