Hygiene at the gym: how to protect yourself from diseases?

Do you have the habit of cleaning gym equipment before using it? Although it may seem simple, this habit is essential to prevent various diseases that can be contracted through surfaces contaminated by bacteria, fungi or viruses.

“Gym equipment is a breeding ground for germs,” says Rubens Pereira, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of Franca (Unifran), CNN . “Among the main diseases that can be acquired, we highlight gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, folliculitis, scabies, impetigo, pediculosis, hepatitis A, Covid-19, flu and mycoses”, he adds.

This happens because the gym is an environment that encourages contact between people, in addition to facilitating the contamination of equipment by those with an infection. “An infected person can contaminate equipment. In addition, the combination of humidity and high temperatures encourages the proliferation of microorganisms,” explains Alexandre Piva, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Universidade Cidade de S. Paulo (Unicid), CNN .

How long do microorganisms stay on devices?

The survival time of these microorganisms on gym equipment will depend on the characteristics of the surface and can vary from a few hours to a few days. For example, a study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that the coronavirus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastics and stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard and four hours on copper.

Another study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that 63 percent of all exercise equipment is contaminated with rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. The cold virus can live on hard surfaces for up to seven days, while the flu virus (influenza A and B) can live for up to 24 hours.

Can sweat transmit diseases?

According to experts consulted by CNN sweat does not transmit diseases and may even have antibacterial properties.

“Sweat generally does not transmit infections because it does not contain living cells to multiply. The odor of sweat is caused by the product of the metabolism of a bacterium called propionibacterium. However, humidity encourages the development of fungi,” says Pereira.

Can sexually transmitted infections (STIs) be transmitted at the gym?

It is a myth that STIs can be transmitted through exercise mats or gym equipment. “As the name suggests, sexually transmitted infections require sexual contact to be transmitted,” Piva emphasizes.

So don’t worry: You can’t catch an STI at the gym . The main way to prevent this type of infection is to use a condom during sexual intercourse and keep your vaccinations up to date against diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, such as HPV and hepatitis B.

See how to maintain hygiene at the gym, before, during and after training

Below, check out the main guidelines from experts for maintaining hygiene at the gym before, during and after training:

• Many gyms provide alcohol or disinfectant sprays for users. Use them before and after using a piece of equipment;
• Wash your hands or use alcohol gel before starting and after finishing your workout;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and lips during training;
• Do not share water bottles and other personal utensils;
• Wash gym clothes and towels after use;
• For solo yoga or pilates classes, bring your own mat/mat.
• Keep your bag/backpack, headphones and water bottles properly sanitized after training.

“It’s worth remembering the golden rule: don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you. If you’re sick, don’t go to the gym and be responsible,” emphasizes Pereira.

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