A day in the gym normally involves the running machine, exercise bikes and free weights. And, as it turns out, a whole load of bacteria.
If you think abut it properly, it's not a major surprise. Gyms are collective areas, dozens and maybe hundreds of people go there every day; equipment like the free weights pass through different hands over and over. As a result, every time we touch the treadmill’s screen or any other equipment, we come in contact with more than one million germs per square inch.
This was demonstrated after fitness review website, FitRated, carried out a studycollecting samples from three different gym locations nationally. 27 pieces of equipment were looked at and tested.
The research revealed that an exercise bike has 39 tines more bacteria than a plastic reusable cafeteria tray; while a treadmill has 74 times more bacteria than a water faucet and finally, free weights have 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
These types of equipment contained a bacteria known as 'gram-positive cocci,' commonly linked to skin infections among other diseases. They also contained gram-negative rots that produce infection and resist antibiotics, plus a less dangerous bacteria, gram-positive rods, that in some cases causes infections.
If you’re freaked out by this, you should know bacteria are everywhere, as kindly pointed out by science daily. Still freaked out? Luckily, there’s a way to avoid contracting bacterial infections while exercising. FitRate recommends the public to disinfect machines before and after using them, never walk around barefoot, avoid touching your face, wash your hands regularly and always changes your gym clothes after a workout.
In an interview with Daily Mail, a member from the FitRated creative team, commented: 'Most gyms provide materials to wipe equipment post-use. It's surprising that people seem to neglect using it, especially when it's right there. If your gym doesn't provide these materials, bring your own disinfectant wipes and request that they start.’
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.