In an unexpected turn of events, the ‘healthy lifestyle’ is having a bad time at the moment. We reported recently how your yoga mat might be making you ill and now it turns out your gym equipment has more germs than an actual toilet seat. It gets worse. The typical free weights boast 362 times more germs than your average loo. Gross.
A study conducted by Fit Rated which examined gym equipment found that the average exercise bike harbours 39 times more bacteria than a cafeteria tray (remember those?), while the trusty treadmill has on average 74 times more bacteria than a typical public toilet tap. A massive 70% of the bacteria was found to be dangerous to humans.
Of course, it kinda makes sense when you consider how many people use the gym equipment throughout the day. The sweaty conditions often associated with the gym are also the ideal place for bacteria to harbour.
Now we are not saying that you should boycott the gym completely - we all know the gym is the perfect antidote for stress, a great mood enhancer, and obviously helps us become more fit. All you need are some simple changes to your gym routine.
The Nation’s Health sympathise with gym go-ers, and have some advice on how to stay healthy, whilst working out.
They advise to wipe the machines before and after use, keep a hand sanitiser on hand and to shower after each gym visit.
'Germs and bacteria are found everywhere, including gyms,” Jack Foley a director of sports medicine at Lehigh University told The Nation’s Health. “The last thing you want when exercising is to get ill from your gym or exercise facility.”
What's next - the news that your organic kale smoothies will make your skin green or that walking to work instead of taking the tube will make you grow an extra arm? We don't know what to believe any more...
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