Could Your Gym Be Making You Sick?
We feel smart when we hop on the elliptical machines, stationary bikes and yoga mats to work out. Good for us, right? Mostly. For all benefits our diligent workouts provide (tightening our core, stimulating our brains, stoking our sex drives), they can subject us to a few hidden harms as well: With all the sweat flying around a gym or body movement studio, these health clubs turn out to be a perfect breeding ground for fungal, viral and bacterial infections. What’s more, conditions are also ripe for allergy attacks.Not to worry, since there are regulations, right? Actually, governmental departments of health don’t regulate gyms too much. You know that miles-long contract you sign when first joining a gym or studio — the one that releases the facility from liability in case of injury? It likely contains verbiage that subjects you to its standard of cleanliness, whatever it may be, and ensures you won’t get all litigious when facilities pump up the nasty. While many gyms do their best to stay on top of, say, mold in the sauna room, it’s up to you to protect yourself from bacteria and chemicals that can spur MRSA or an allergy attack. Here’s how to stay safe and healthy.
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