Don’t Get Sick at the Gym: 7 Ways to Prevent Infection

When at the gym, the number of ways and places there are for potential skin infections can be scary. Everything from a wet shower floor to high-fiving someone after a good workout could be a source. But when you’re being conscientious about your hygiene and taking preventative measures, there’s little to worry about, so high-five away! Matguard makes it easy to take those measures, whether it’s using the spray to clean some equipment before or after use, or wiping your body down with the wet wipes head to toe. Here’s a few tips on keeping yourself healthy, clean, and ready to get a great sweat on!

Via U.S. News (http://health.usnews.com/)

Dumbbells. Bike seats. Yoga mats. Hot tubs. Sweaty bodies. Shower floors. You go to the gym to get fit, not to get sick. But you could be exposing yourself to infection while you exercise—if you’re not careful.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the likeliest threat, says Amesh Adalja, a board-certified physician specializing in infectious diseases and clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This risk for a cold or flu at gyms is similar to what you’d face in other public settings, says Adalja, but going to the gym can boost your odds of contracting MRSA (short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)—particularly if you participate in contact sports or share equipment. And while “staph” usually doesn’t cause health problems—about 1 in 3 people carries it harmlessly—MRSA is scary, since it’s immune to certain antibiotics, Adalja says.

Now, this isn’t an excuse to cancel your gym membership: The benefits of exercise “clearly outweigh” the risks for infections, says Adalja. Just follow these tips to safeguard your health…