Why Taking a Shower at the Gym Is Actually Really Gross
Going to the gym is great. There are workout classes, free weights so you can do your own thang, treadmills, access to personal trainers who can help make sure you have proper form, saunas, and sometimes even pools! But amid all of these benefits, there are also ... germs. Especially in the locker room.
Check out these six spots in gym locker rooms that are particularly nasty when it comes to bacteria and fungi, so you can take the proper precautions and have a workout as free of grossness as possible. (Your body will thank you.)
1/6The showers
Sure, those gym showers are great for rinsing off sweat (and keeping you feeling and smelling fresh) after a workout, but you'd be wrong to think that they are squeaky clean. There can be bacteria and fungi lurking that cause infections like ringworm and athlete's foot, Fitness reports. In fact, experts recommend you just go ahead and shower at home — but if you must shower at the gym, make sure you bring a pair of flip-flops and wear them in the shower, no matter how much of a hassle that feels like.
2/6All lockers
Who used that gym locker before you, and what did they put in there? Yeah, exactly. Make sure you wipe down the locker you’re using every time. And if you have the same locker every day, like at school, that doesn't mean you're in the clear. Leaving damp, sweaty clothes crammed in your locker is basically asking for fungus to grow. Instead, hang them up to dry after your workout, and bring them home as often as possible for a solid wash.
3/6Mats and floors
Gym mats are used by so many people throughout the course of a day, and many people don't wipe them down after they use them. Bacteria that can cause colds and flu, not to mention skin infections, can be lurking on there.
And speaking of surfaces beneath your feet, make sure you keep your shoes on in the locker room _ the warm, moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
4/6Water fountains
Water fountains can harbor bacteria, since people’s mouths can touch them. (Please, don't be like them.) Be careful not to let your mouth or water bottle touch the actual spout ever, and, if possible, suggest that your school or gym switch to fountains with bottle filling stations, which encourage sustainable water bottle refills and even more hydration just as much as sanitation.
5/6Anywhere you can sit
This is definitely tragic, but don’t flop down on those benches just yet — they could totally have lingering bacteria on them. Instead, place a dry towel on every surface, including benches in the gym area and saunas, before you sit down. And do this especially if you’re going to linger, which we totally encourage after a seriously hard workout. Make sure you’re washing and drying your towels thoroughly after every gym trip!
6/6Your gym bag
Sweaty clothes, water bottles that haven’t been washed in weeks, and a whole host of unnecessary things thrown in and immediately forgotten about — hello, protein bar wrappers from last semester — mean the inside of your gym bag isn't exactly the cleanest place on earth. Try to make a point to clean out and wipe down your gym bag, and throw sweaty clothes in a plastic bag before putting them inside.
