Beware: Cold and Flu Season is on its way! After months of enjoying the beautiful weather, the dampness and chilliness of winter has many outdoor fitness lovers moving indoors again. Unbeknownst to you, thousands of microscopic, infectious virus and bacteria particles can be lurking on the handles of weight machines, bikes, treadmills, and cross-trainers. The portent for coming down with an infection from White Lake gyms is huge – unless you know how to protect yourself, that is.

• Flu
• Common Cold
• Norovirus
• Funguses
• Warts
• Staph / MRSA

It may seem scary to imagine icky germs festering on every surface at the gym, so keep in mind that stress is another type of poignant illness entirely. You shouldn’t avoid the gym altogether because you’re paralyzed with fear of contamination, but a few basic practices should keep the germs at bay.

1. Carry hand sanitizer. After using any machine, use a squirt of hand sanitizer. Small bottles of hand sanitizer are effective at killing 99.9 percent of all germs you may encounter on these machines.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth while working out. As soon as you’re done, wash your hands thoroughly.
3. Wipe down the machines with a cleaning spray or sanitizer wipe before using. Most White Lake gyms should have towels and sanitization spray somewhere near the workout floor.
4. Use two towels. Some people use the same machines to wipe off their faces as they use to wipe down the machines, which transfer bacteria from the machine to your eyes, nose and mouth – where it can easily transfer into the body.
5. Cover cuts with Band-Aids. One of the most common entry-points for germs like MRSA get into the body through open wounds.
6. Put your towel down in the steam room before letting your bare skin touch anything.
7. Don’t share personal hygiene products. Germs can live on things like soaps, deodorants, or razors, so do not share these items.
8. Wear flip-flops in the shower and near the pool. To avoid contracting a wart, keep your feet covered. With a little bit of balance, you should still be able to get your feet washed.
9. Slip out of your gym clothes right away. The sweaty, moistness of gym clothes is the perfect haven for bacteria and viruses to multiply, thereby increasing your risk of infection. Throw your yoga mat and workout gear right into the wash when you get home.
10. Look for anti-germ products like anti-microbial towels, footwear, and clothing.   

Also, don’t forget to sign up for one of the sanitary White Lake gyms that make cleanliness a priority!