Fit or Fiction: Can My Gym Make Me Sick?

Posted on Apr 20th 2010 12:00PM by Liz Neporent

I've heard that many gyms are so germy they can actually make you really sick. Any truth to that? – Alli, Delaware

Working up a sweat can be exhilarating and good for your health. But working out in someone else's sweat, well, that's more than just icky -- it can make you sick. Really, really sick.

For the past five years or so, outbreaks of the super germ methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (dubbed "MRSA") has been frequently reported in hospitals, prisons and yes, gyms. Health experts are concerned that the gyms we frequent in the name of good health can be ideal breeding grounds for MRSA and similar bugs. MRSA typically lives harmlessly on the healthy skin and inside the noses of about 30 percent of the population. But many germs and viruses, including MRSA, can enter your bloodstream through even the tiniest break in the skin, causing an antibiotic-resistant, potentially deadly infection.

Most people have strong enough immune systems to fight off MRSA. But for those with compromised auto-immune response, a MRSA infection can be deadly. People with AIDS or those who have had recent surgery or even a bad cold recently are at a greater risk for a MRSA attack. MRSA is not completely antibiotic resistant and in fact, still responds to several injectable antibiotics.

However, experts are concerned that as time goes on and the bacteria continues to evolve, the strain may stop responding to any of the available medicines and turn even deadlier. So while there needn't be widespread panic, you should take cleanliness and self protection in public places seriously. Short of exercising in a biohazard suit, here are some tips for germ-proofing your visits to the gym.

• Be aware of where germs and virus are most likely to collect. According to experts, the grips and handrails of weight and cardio machines and any place you touch with your hands are areas of concern.

• Keep all cuts clean and covered with clothing or a fresh, dry bandage. No cut is too small to give consideration and no area of the body should be overlooked. Not to be crude, but if you have a zit on your tush and you sit on a bike seat, this is an ideal port of entry for MRSA.

• Wear workout gloves to prevent direct contact with machine handles and grips. You can buy them on Amazon or New Grip. This $10 investment is an inexpensive insurance policy.

• Carry one workout towel to wipe sweat off your body and one to wipe down machines, mats and even shower door handles before use. Keep the towels separate so you don't give germs a chance to commingle.

• Wash your hands frequently -- certainly immediately following your workout. For proper hand washing how to, check out this AOL Health article on hand washing technique.

• Wipe down each machine and piece of equipment before use. Some gyms have antiseptic spray bottles strategically placed around the gym for that purpose. If yours doesn't, request that they do.

• Never share personal items like towels, razors or face creams. MRSA may be present on the skin without symptoms and you do not want to pass or receive it unwittingly. Likewise, use an alcohol-based wipe to wipe down communal equipment like mats, boxing gloves and jump ropes before use.

• Launder workout clothes after every use. Better yet, if your gym offers laundry service, ask if they use very hot water and bleach, something most people don't do when they wash their clothes at home. If they do, sign up for the service. Your clothes may not last as long, but that's a small price to pay to avoid getting sick.

• Ask the manager about the gym's cleaning regiment.You may come off like a germ freak, but so what? At the very least, the place should be wiped down frequently with strong soap and/or a diluted bleach solution. If your gym doesn't look (or smell) clean, consider finding a new place to exercise.

I personally know people who have caught MRSA at the gym or other public place. Fortunately, all of them are okay. What about you? Post your comments here or tweet me your thoughts @lizzyfit.

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Tags: alcohol wipes, fit-or-fiction, germs, gym cleanliness, gym tips, hand washing, health tips, mrsa, virus, viruses

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

p 4-21-2010 @ 5:09PM

I wouldn't go to a gym if it were free.

pete 4-21-2010 @ 6:43PM

Im sure everyone can tell too!

Cafelady 4-21-2010 @ 5:18PM

I joined a gym in Miami and got athelete's foot the first time I used the shower and ringworm the first time I used the sauna. Gyms are filthy.

tumbleweed 4-22-2010 @ 5:42AM

Tanning Booth!!! I got mites from a tanning booth.
When I commented to the Physician Asst that it seemed clean & I sprayed after using the tanning bed, she said: Always spray before too, maybe the person before you didn't spray. This was a nightmare.

Colin Cody 4-21-2010 @ 5:45PM

I enjoy working out at my YMCA, but I had not been paying much attention to preventing harmful germ transmission until last year after I became very ill with what was likely MRSA. I was sick for a month during which time I did not eat much and consequently lost 20 pounds of muscle and fat. It was a serious health crisis for me, so I now watch out for germs and viruses at my gym and will implement everything in the above article immediately. I'm taking whey protein, creatine, Summa, ChroMate and glutamine to regain my lost muscle tissue quickly and taking quercetin, resveratol and FucoTHIN to safely loose excess weight.

Brian 4-21-2010 @ 5:46PM

Had a bout of something similar earlier this year from going to the gym. I was told it was an insignificant staph infection but I think it's going to scar. It doesn't hurt anymore but there are still little red marks from where these bumps that started with a rash started to burst.

Aesoph Spade 4-21-2010 @ 8:21PM

i had little red spots on my skin that was actually an infection. i dont know where i got it from but it damn near killed me! it took antibiotics and then finnally a steroid and steroidal cream to eleviate it. maybe you better see another doctor

Grace 4-21-2010 @ 7:19PM

Mine wasn't MRSA, but a streptococcal infection that put me in the hospital for 4 days, on IV antibiotics for two weeks, followed by oral antibiotics for 14 days. Also threw me into atrial fibrillation. What I discovered is that NO ONE wipes off their equipment at the gym after using it, the signs requesting that all equipment be wiped off after use are not able to be seen, and the staff don't give a @^*#(! I learned to wipe off the equipmemt I use BEFORE I use it and, as a courtesy, wipe it off AFTER I use it.

Bob 4-21-2010 @ 7:31PM

I've been going to various gyms for the last 35 years. I also practice a number of martial arts including jujitsu where there is a lot of grappling. I have never gotten sick or gotten anything else form any gym ever. Read what they wrote. If you have a healthy immune system there is little to worry about. Get off your fat asses and hit the gym. Your body will thank you for it.

C 4-21-2010 @ 8:50PM

Bob, you are fortunate. As a healthcare provider, I have had extremely healthy, in shape clients contract MRSA. All you need is a minor scratch to allow it into your body. I too exercise, eat right and am healthy, but if one of my patient's contract this bacteria, it can be easily passed to me if I'm not careful, and yes, I can get severe illness.

harold 4-21-2010 @ 11:43PM

Why do gym rats behave so supercilliously? Is it because they have so few social skills. Or, are you so insecure within yourself that you have to put down those with other interests. I am sure you are one of those who admire themselves in the mirror each morning,impressed with your Chimpanzee contortions.

Thommy 4-21-2010 @ 7:50PM

I also go to a gym where people do not wipe down after cardio or working out. Its usually the high schoolers who aren't schooled in proper baithing technics....

karen 4-21-2010 @ 7:49PM

I did catch MRSA at my gym, I think from lying on a mat. It was on the back of my head. I needed a surgeon to remove the infection, and had a nickle sized hole that I had to clean and rebandage each day. The pain of changing the bandages was like nothing I had ever felt before, and I have given birth to 3 kids!

Now, I wipe down the mat each time and let it dry well before putting my towel down. I also wipe down the bike and treadmill before using them. Remember the tension knob on the bike. Most people just clean the handle bars and seat.

joy 4-21-2010 @ 10:47PM

I had the same thing in my thigh last year. I had a week of IV antibiotics and they had to cut it out of my leg. It was a 1/2 inch deep cut and had to be repacked every day. It hurt so bad I needed lidocane shots in my leg everyday just to repack it. Yes, it was worse than childbirth and the scar is so awful, I will never wear shorts again. I look like I was shot.

Pinky Luersen 4-21-2010 @ 8:04PM

I had MRSA - got it in the hospital after surgery. I was very sick. Fortunately my surgeon was pretty sharp. Went to an infectious disease specialist. I was ok after 3 wks. of treatment and a little extra time. Don't mess with this. I had 103 degreefever, sweats ( more than you can imagine) and I felt like a truck had run over me. (No gym involvement). My problem is no one shares the symptoms,. We changed my sheets 3 times a night. My incision also had an unwelcome yellow/green color. Be careful with this deadly disease.

Susan 4-21-2010 @ 8:27PM

This is true ! My 15 year old daughter got MRSA from the girls locker room.It takes a long time to get rid of. Very contagious.

elvira walker 4-21-2010 @ 8:44PM

GYMS ARE FUNKY. I BELONG TO LA FITNESS. I ATTEND 4-5 DAYS WEEKLY. I AM USUALLY THERE FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE PEOPLE DO IS ABSOLUTELY SICKENING. THE PERSONNEL IS ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT VACUUMING THE FLOOR. THAT IN ITSELF IS A HEALTH HAZZARD, BECAUSE YOU ARE BREATHING IN DUST PARTICLES AS YOU DO CARDIO. I WONT DESCRIBE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN WITNESS TO, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS. BUY ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES. THEY KILL 99.99% OF GERMS. YOU CAN CARRY A BUNCH OF THEM IN YOUR GYM BAG TO HAVE EASY ACCESS. DON'T EVEN TRUST THE STUFF THAT THEY HAVE IN THE GYM, BECAUSE THEY BUY CHEAP AND HARSH PRODUCTS.SOMETIMES I THINK THAT I AM GOING TO THE GYM TO GET SICK, INSTEAD OF HEALTHY.AND, WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN.

Debbie 4-21-2010 @ 9:04PM

My name is Debbie and I had contracted MRSA in the hospital in 2007. It had gone through my bloodstream and landed on the bones and spine. It actually crippled me.I couldn't walk, get out of bed or feed myself. I felt hopeless. I was also in a lot of pain. I had gone through extensive therapy (physical and occupational). I had a pic line placed in my left arm so that they could administer the high dose of antibiotic (Vanco which is the short name for it). It's a very powerful, dangerous, deadly infection. At the time I had it it was killing around 90,000 individuals each year. I have done a lot of research on this type of disease. When taking the antibiotic (Vanco) you're only suppose to take it for about 6 to 10 weeks however I was on the medication for over 8 months. I finally had back surgery in order for my surgeon to remove the infection. Now I have a very low immune system and successible to getting it again. I am very careful about where I go, people I see and that my house is always disinfectanted. I hope that my story helps anyone out there. But if you need to talk about the infection my email lee492008@aol.com. I would be more than happy to discuss it with you. Thanks for letting me tell my story.

Sincerely,
Debbie

jeff 4-21-2010 @ 9:11PM

Sorry to hear all that. Good luck to you. I went to many gyms for 20 years straight the only think was a self inflicted tear etc. Hospitals do scare me just for what you stated.