Gym equipment dries: you use them, we use them and we hope all machine Before us used them too. And if you are not safe, it doesn’t hurt to wipe down the gymnastics equipment you use just to be extra careful. Example: A woman from Maryland was Recently diagnosed with ringworm Because she did not dry her gym equipment before using it. (If you are not familiar, Ringworm is a fungal infection It seems like an annular, itchy, red rash on the skin. It spreads through skin-skin contact, shared objects or shared surfaces.)
But how effective are the small wipes, really? Do they actually do something, or is this an example of a polite gesture It’s more for show than sanitation? Here are the good news: The gym is not a high-risk area to get sick-long the person next to you does not cough and sneeze. Even arguy equipment is not very problematic.
“Overall, the risk of infection from surfaces that humans can come into contact with at a gym is very low,” says Daniel Kuritzkes, MD. It is more likely that you get sick from respiratory drops from someone who coughs or sneezes than you are from touching a surface (as long as you are careful not to touch your face afterwards, more about the important reservation later). But drying equipment is still effective in killing most bacteria – and is an important part of being plain old polite in a split Gymnastics space.
We talked to experts to find out how effective equipment is, and the best ways to avoid spreading (and catching!) Germs at the gym.
Experts in this story
Daniel KuritzkesMD, is the head of Division Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Erin NitschkeNFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, is a health coach, ACE Scientific Advisory Panel member and program director for sciences at Laramie County Community College.
Shira DoronMD, is Chief Infection Control Officer at Tufts Medicine.
How effective are the equipment dryers when disinfected?
We can all take a collective sigh of relief – equipment times are generally effective in eliminating bacteria that cause most respiratory diseases (when used correctly, that is). “Most bacteria and viruses are easily killed with standard disinfectants,” says Dr. Doron. What makes the biggest difference in drying efficiency is contact time, even the number of minutes a surface must stay wet with disinfectant in order for it to work against a particular bacterium.
“An ideal drying has a short contact time of a few minutes for both ordinary bacteria, such as staph and E. coli, and viruses, such as flu and coronary virus,” says Dr. Doron. If drying has a longer contact time, there is a greater chance that the disinfectant will dry on the surface before it has a chance to work.
Dr. Nitschke recommends that you look for wet wipes labeled as EPA-approved disinfectants for viruses and bacteria. It is better to dry down the equipment and let it dry out, rather than dry it dry. Drying and drying immediately after may not cause full disinfection, follow the product’s instructions for optimal results, says Dr. Nitschke.
Is equipment dries more efficiently against some bacteria than others?
Here are some good news: It is quite easy for an equipment dryer to knock out respiratory virus such as the flu and coronary virus, says Dr. Kuritzkes. But NorovirusWhich causes stylish digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, is notoriously challenging to kill and requires bleach or similar strong products, says Dr. Doron. This is what makes it so contagious … and why it is always important to wash your hands after training.
Should you wipe down the equipment before and after use, just to be safe?
This is more of a personal choice, even if it really doesn’t hurt, says Dr. Nitschke. Drying the equipment before using it can add an extra layer of precautions, as there is no guarantee that the equipment has been cleaned (although gym encourages users to clean the equipment after using it).
Dr. Kuritzkes says he always dries out the equipment before using it. Dr. Doron does not, but both agree that they take extra precautions so as not to touch the face while exercising and always washing their hands carefully when leaving the gym.
What, exactly, should you dry down the gym?
Machine handle and dumbbells and squat racks and carpets and machines, oh my. There is no shortage of things you touch on the gym, so how do you know what to wipe after use? Dr. Nitschke recommends that you dry down all Surfaces that you come into contact with during training, including machine and dumbbell handles and squat racks, besides pillows, benches and carpets. Handles and bars are areas with high touch that can easily transfer bacteria, sweat and oils from one person to another. While pillows and benches can only come into direct contact with your body, it is still a good idea to have a felt rule to dry down. This respects hygiene in the shared space and reduces the spread of the bacterium for everyone.
How else can you avoid bacteria in the gym?
Apart from breathing in respiratory drops from a sick person, the greatest risk of infection will come from picking up something on your hands and then touching your face, says Dr. Doron. “Since people tend to touch their eyes, nose and mouth much without realizing it, it is easy to pick up bacteria from gym equipment, transfer it to the mucosa on the face and get sick that way.
Dr. Nitschke also emphasizes the importance of maintaining your own personal hygiene in a shared gym environment. For example, she recommends that you take a clean towel to place on benches or carpets, wash your hands before and after visiting the gym and again avoid moving the face during workouts. And hopefully it goes without saying, but if you are not feeling well, please stay at home and rest rather than risk spreading bacteria to others and/or aggravating your symptoms. “Remember that the gym label goes beyond cleanliness. It’s about being conscious and respecting the space and people around you,” she says. “These small considerations create a healthier and more fun environment for everyone.”
Kaley Rohlinger is a freelance writer for PS that focuses on health, fitness, food and lifestyle content. She has a background in the marketing and communication industry and has been writing for PS for over four years.
