Everyday millions of Americans make their way towards their local gyms with the intent of getting healthier.
The gym is often times the only place where it is possible to exercise at any point during the year regardless of rain, sleet or snow.
It is also air conditioned during the summer and members know exactly what to expect.
But while a gym membership supplies a certain sense of stability in a workout, it also makes the likelihood for colds, flues and other diseases much more severe.
All the Coughing People The gym, by definition, is a place where many people come to workout in a relatively small space in close proximity to each other.
Gyms usually have long lines of different types of cardio equipment in which there is usually less than a foot between the next machine and the thus the next person.
This close proximity means that every time that person breathes or coughs, which they will likely do a lot of while exercising, he or she is exposing every person near them to whatever germs they may be carrying including airborne pathogens.
Another point of transmission is through sweat.
Machines are often covered over again and again with sweat from each person that uses it.
Each person using the machine will likely touch this mosaic of sweat and germs and move it to other areas of the gym and different machines.
The abundance of germs at gyms is of particular concern during cold and flu season.
The recent breakouts of the Swine flu (H1N1) have taken this concern to whole new levels.
What the Gyms are Doing or Not Doing to Protect You Unfortunately, many gyms have seriously subpar cleaning standards.
Often times the equipment will be cleaned, at the most, just once a day at night.
This leaves a lot of time for germs to build up on each piece.
But other pieces of equipment such as stretching belts, medicine balls, free weights, yoga balls and mats are cleaned once every few months if ever.
To keep yourself protected at the gym, consider cleaning off equipment yourself before you use it.
Some gyms provide sanitation towels for this very purpose.
Also consider building up your immune system with vitamins and anti-oxidants.
For more information on the potential disease dangers at gyms, visit the website of the personal injury attorneys of LaMarca & Landry PC.
The gym is often times the only place where it is possible to exercise at any point during the year regardless of rain, sleet or snow.
It is also air conditioned during the summer and members know exactly what to expect.
But while a gym membership supplies a certain sense of stability in a workout, it also makes the likelihood for colds, flues and other diseases much more severe.
All the Coughing People The gym, by definition, is a place where many people come to workout in a relatively small space in close proximity to each other.
Gyms usually have long lines of different types of cardio equipment in which there is usually less than a foot between the next machine and the thus the next person.
This close proximity means that every time that person breathes or coughs, which they will likely do a lot of while exercising, he or she is exposing every person near them to whatever germs they may be carrying including airborne pathogens.
Another point of transmission is through sweat.
Machines are often covered over again and again with sweat from each person that uses it.
Each person using the machine will likely touch this mosaic of sweat and germs and move it to other areas of the gym and different machines.
The abundance of germs at gyms is of particular concern during cold and flu season.
The recent breakouts of the Swine flu (H1N1) have taken this concern to whole new levels.
What the Gyms are Doing or Not Doing to Protect You Unfortunately, many gyms have seriously subpar cleaning standards.
Often times the equipment will be cleaned, at the most, just once a day at night.
This leaves a lot of time for germs to build up on each piece.
But other pieces of equipment such as stretching belts, medicine balls, free weights, yoga balls and mats are cleaned once every few months if ever.
To keep yourself protected at the gym, consider cleaning off equipment yourself before you use it.
Some gyms provide sanitation towels for this very purpose.
Also consider building up your immune system with vitamins and anti-oxidants.
For more information on the potential disease dangers at gyms, visit the website of the personal injury attorneys of LaMarca & Landry PC.