Everyone knows how important physical exercise is for health. While regular workouts have numerous benefits, not maintaining proper hygiene at the gym can cause skin conditions and expose you to fungal infections.
Hygiene at the gym is not just a courtesy; it’s a requisite for maintaining good health. When lifting weights, running on the treadmill, or engaging in a group fitness class, you share space—and sometimes equipment—with numerous others. While this sense of community can be uplifting, it also creates an environment ripe for the spread of germs, bacteria, and viruses. A lack of proper hygiene can lead to skin infections, respiratory issues, or gastrointestinal problems, transforming your wellness sanctuary into a breeding ground for ailments.
Moreover, neglecting gym hygiene can impact your workout performance. A gym that doesn’t prioritize cleanliness can become stressful, distracting you from focusing on your exercise routine. Therefore, adhering to high hygiene standards, both personally and as a community, is essential for preserving your health and the quality of your workouts.
The Golden Rules of Gym Hygiene
– Choosing a clean gym is crucial to sustain all your hygiene-related efforts. Ensure the gym has clean floors, toilets, showers, and other facilities. Also, it’s a plus if you see housekeeping staff regularly and the gym has posted hygiene rules.
– In a gym, the skin is exposed to bacteria and other potentially dangerous microorganisms and substances. Washing your hands before and after a workout is very important, but you also should avoid touching your face too much during the workout. Your hands have been in contact with the gym equipment full of other people’s germs.
– Sweating is very healthy since it detoxifies the body and cleanses the pores. However, that is not the case if you work out while wearing makeup. If you cannot go at the gym makeup-free, at least choose light, mineral-based products.
– When sweat mixes with the natural oils of the skin and makeup (if such is the case), it can cause breakouts. To prevent workout-related acne, wash your face and body immediately after exercising. If you cannot do so, clean your skin using facial wipes or toners containing salicylic acid.
– You should clean it using antibacterial wipes before and after using gym equipment. Even if you bring your own exercise mat, you should still clean it before and after a workout. These mats easily absorb the sweat and make bacteria a good place to thrive.
– Never use the same towel to wipe your face and gym equipment. Take two towels with you and use one for each purpose. Some gyms offer their own towels, which is very nice. Still, it’s safer to wipe your face using your towel.
– Avoid walking barefoot on any gym’s surfaces to prevent fungal infections. Never enter a gym’s shower, sauna, or steam room without wearing flip-flops or some non-slip shoes.
– Sweat naturally has high salt content that can damage our scalp and hair roots. Wearing a headband that easily absorbs excess sweat can prevent hair damage. Don’t leave hair strands in your face while you’re exercising. Tying your hair in a knot or a bun is a good solution, which will also prevent the hair from getting in contact with sweat and breaking.
– Avoid taking very hot showers after a workout since it can dehydrate the hair. Use warm water instead and, optionally, a hair conditioner. Use a leave-in conditioner before taking a sauna or attending a swim session. Hot or humid air and chlorinated water can severely deteriorate hair.
– Never wear hats and similar headwear at the gym. These will cover your head completely and create a sauna effect, soaking your hair in sweat.
