Avoid Gym Germs

Exercise helps us stay mentally and physically well, but does going to the gym put you at risk for getting sick from winter viruses?

“The gym, like any other facility that has a lot of people coming to, can be a place that harbors and spreads germs. This includes viruses, bacteria, and even fungi,” said Joseph Richardville, MD, a board-certified primary care sports medicine doctor with Franciscan Physician Network. “So although I do encourage you to return to some of those gyms to get exercise, there are some necessary precautions to take, to stay safe.”

Dr. Richardville discusses the risks of going to a gym and how we can best protect ourselves from viruses while working out.

Should I Wear A Mask At The Gym?

"If wearing a mask makes you feel more comfortable and safe and that gym it is certainly safe and acceptable to do so," he said. "If you feel that you should be wearing a mask because you are concerned you may be ill or potentially infectious and trying to limit spread of your illness, the gym is something that should wait until you are feeling better."

What Items Should I Bring To The Gym?

"I would make sure your gym has access to sanitizing supplies or clean towels for personal use and if not very reasonable to bring this items yourself," Dr. Richardville said. “Obviously some of the equipment like machines or weights will have to have shared use. So, it's important that if you are using that equipment, you ensure that they're thoroughly sanitized between each user. I advise doing this with an approved sanitizing agent and a clean cloth or towel.”

He recommends having a reusable water bottle and filling it before going to the gym or using designated water bottle filling stations.

How Can I Minimize The Risk Of Exposures At The Gym?

"Avoid over crowding areas," Dr. Richardville said. "You don’t need to inherently avoid any locker rooms or child care, but potentially saunas and hot tubs at times when there is a high incidence of illness in the community. These hot, humid environments can promote the spread of infection."

Other tips to reduce the risk of exposure to the viruses at the gym include:

• Maintain appropriate spacing as able.
• Go to the gym in off peak hours.
• “If you a lifting or a workout partner, try to keep that as the same person, avoiding exposure to multiple different individuals,” Dr. Richardville said.

Preventive efforts include those taken outside the gym.

"The greatest way to reduce risk of getting ill is to get your annual flu vaccines and recommended COVID boosters and pneumococcal vaccines if age and medical conditions recommend it," he added. 

Is Outdoor Exercise Safer Than The Gym?

“I do encourage people to get outside and I know that can be a little bit more difficult in the colder months, but I still think that there is a great opportunity and you can get a very thorough exercise in outdoors,” Dr. Richardville said.

What Are My Exercise Options If I Don’t Feel Comfortable At The Gym?

“You don't need fancy equipment or heavy weights that are at the gym to get in a good workout,” Dr. Richardville said. “I encourage people to kind of see this as a fun challenge to try some new exercises that maybe you're not used to, or even returning to some of the basics like push-ups, sit-ups, or even just basic jogging.

“If you'd like to exercise at home or you need some of that structure or you like exercise classes, there are lots of gyms that are offering virtual options for those. And YouTube is full of a lot of different exercise classes for a variety of fitness levels."

When Should I Avoid Going To The Gym?

“If you are feeling ill or feeling sick, do not go to the gym, take some days off, and rest," Dr. Richardville said. "Exercising through an illness will not get you to feel better, faster. And if you're going to the gym, it could put others at unnecessary risk. You're not going to lose your fitness from a couple of days of rest, but it can help you feel better if you are resting.”