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If you thought the only thing you could leave the gym with is a better body,
think again. The hot and sweaty atmosphere in a gym can harbour a host of
hazards that aren't so good for your health.
The floors of the gym, changing room, steam room and showers are a breeding
ground for fungus. People who are infected leave fungal spores behind when
they walk around barefooted. When these spores attach themselves to skin,
they turn into infections like Athletes Foot. To avoid this problem, you
should wear flip-flops in the changing room and keep your feet clean and
dry.
The gym is a prime breeding ground for coughs, colds and bugs, as the hot,
sweaty atmosphere makes it easy for the viruses to spread. As machinery
and mats in the gym are shared, viruses can be transmitted onto equipment
that hasn't been cleaned properly. To prevent this, you should use a towel
to cover any shared equipment or mats, or wipe it down before use.
Overexertion in the gym is a common problem. Research shows that women are
more likely to put unnecessary strain on their legs when doing high impact
exercises, as they tend to land with their knees straight and legs together,
which twists the knee joint. Wearing sports supports can reduce this problem,
as they spread the impact forces evenly, which help to minimise the chance
of injury.
The gym may also affect your complexion, as sweat mixes with oil on the
body and blocks the pores, which can lead to spots developing. To combat
this, you should use a tea-tree based cleanser in the shower after exercising
to stop bacteria multiplying.
Pools and jacuzzis are prime places for contagious skin conditions such
as dermatitis to be passed on. Chlorine in the water kills off most of these
germs, but if there isn't enough chlorine in the water, you could get an
infection of the hair follicles, which needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Additional information
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