Going to gym is universally considered as a healthy practice. But researchers, of late, have expressed serious reservations against this concept. In their opinion, the gyms can be a breeding ground of illnesses from common cold to deadly super bug infections. Micro biologists have discovered that the bacteria can thrive for days in the humid gym environment, filled with unpleasant sweaty residue left on equipments, hot tubs, changing rooms and even on sports drinks bottles. But some Slimming Clubs make their Gym very clean and Hygienic.

Researchers have also found out millions of bacterial bugs present in the gyms. In certain gyms, frequented by men it was found that millions of traces of staphylococcus epidermis which cause skin infections.

Similarly a germ linked to the problems in intestines and bowels are found in gym equipments like boxercise gloves as well as weight and exercise bikes. These germs can harbour streptococcal infections.

The researchers find that the moisture from the sweat helps the germs to grow and spread diseases like herpes.

The reports indicate that both men and women had contracted a strain of the MRSA super bug from their gyms. Community – acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) can trigger pneumonia and skin infections.

It is found that gyms are not governed by the same standards as hospitals which insist on cleaning towels at a certain temperature after use. The dirty towels in gyms are a breeding ground for CA-MRSA.

The floor of the gyms are infested with fungus which cause athlete’s foot and onychomycosis which causes yellow, brittle toes and finger nails.

Again it is reported that a pair of running shoes has 76 times more fungi than a toilet bowl. The warm and moist interior of the shoes acts as a breeding ground for spores.

Plastic water bottles, refilled without proper cleaning is another hazard which harbour nasty bugs. Water samples showed that they contain significant level of faeces bacteria due to improper washing of hands by the users. Heterotropic bacteria which feed on other microbes are also present.

Hot tubs are found as a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. Public baths are found having some kind of microbial growth. Whereas a teaspoon of tap water contains about 138 bacteria, the same is 2.17 million bacteria in tub water. Also bacteria derived from faces were present. In the warm atmosphere, chlorine in the tubs looses much of its disinfecting power, because of the bugs.

Recent studies have revealed that bacteria infected tubs caused even deaths after the person suffered from a disease diagnosed as “hot tub lung”.

Swimming pool, cause outbreak of a nasty bug, cryptosporidium because people swallow contaminated water.

Ironically, health problems like Asthma are caused by the chemicals like chlorine, which are used for cleaning swimming pools.

In sauna and steam rooms, high levels of citrobacter freundii bacteria are found causing pneumonia, blood and urinary tract infections.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

Wash your hand thoroughly before and after exercise

Wipe down the machines with disinfectants, before and after use. Gym should be disinfected on a regular basis.

It is good gym etiquette to make sure that you don’t leave a pool of sweat behind you.

Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or face.

Use your own clean sweat towel rather than your hands

Wear flip flop when walking in shower or sauna to avoid catching athlete’s foot.

Sit on a towel or wear shorts in the sauna to keep away from direct contact with the seating.

Avoid going to gym if you have symptoms of cold or flu.

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