Exercise is key when it comes to a healthy mind and body, with regular activity slowing the progression of 40 chronic diseases and conditions, research has shown. But experts say we could all benefit from making changes to our dirtier workout habits if we want to avoid getting sick this winter.
Not washing your water bottle: An independent study by Water Filter Guru found that, on average, a reusable water bottle had 40,000 more bacteria than a toilet seat.
“If you don’t wash and air your water bottle often enough this can lead to these bugs building up on the side of the bottle and then getting into the water when the bottle is filled up. If you then drink this water it can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting,” says GP and wellness expert Dr Aarthi Sinha.
Wash your water bottles daily, as you would wash mugs and glasses. Dr Sinha adds: “You may periodically consider cleaning it using sterilising tablets (like those used for baby’s milk bottles), if they’re compatible with your water bottle.”
Sharing sweaty gym mats: If you’re using a gym mat immediately after someone else, without wiping it down, you could be exposing yourself to a whole host of germs.
Dr Sinha says: “Any bodily fluid contains dead skin cells and bugs from our skin and other secretions. You may be carrying viruses you are unaware of and if this spreads to another person it can cause skin infections (including spots), coughs and colds.”
Staying in your gym kit for too long after a workout: You can find yourself running errands after your gym session, and staying in your sweaty kit while doing so, but Dr Sinha advises against this. “Moisture and sweat that collects under your gym clothes on top of the skin can lead to natural fungal and bacterial bugs. These can then overgrow on the skin which can cause infections like candida or thrush and impetigo.” Change and have a shower as soon as possible after you finish.
Rewearing your gym kit: Tempted to wear the same shorts or sports bra twice? Research has found the bacteria staphylococcus, which can cause skin infections and urinary tract infections, was abundant on synthetic fibres after exercise.
Dr Sinha says: “Sweat and dead skin cells that shed when we workout can transfer on to our gym clothes. If these are worn again, it can cause skin infections like impetigo and thrush.”
Wash kit inside out at a low temperature and avoid fabric softeners as these can destroy stretchy gym fabrics and leave a residue as well.
Not wiping your gym equipment down: Dr Sinha says: “You are likely to be in contact with someone else’s sweat in a gym if you don’t wipe the equipment before you use it. This means getting their dead skin cells and organisms on to you which can cause a variety of skin infections.”
Research by FitRated found that free weights at the gym have 362 times more germs than a toilet seat. As for a treadmill, they have, on average, 74 times more bacteria than a public bathroom tap.
Using the gym’s swimwear dryer: Although the swimsuit dryer will remove a lot of the sweat from your kit or the water from your swimwear, be sure to wash your kit when you get home and don’t let it fester in your gym bag.
Research conducted on home washing machines and dryers, which work in a similar way to your gym’s swimsuit dryer, found that 20 per cent contained E.coli in the drum, which can cause diarrhoea, stomach upsets and cystitis.
“Bodily fluids like sweat, dead skin cells and even saliva transfer from our bodies to our swimsuits and therefore into the dryer. This can then be transmitted on to our swimwear,” warns Dr Sinha.
