At the gym, you commonly expect to be able to exercise physically in an environment which is home to lots of diverse exercise equipment. Unfortunately, the gym is also a place where germs can become prevalent if you do not watch yourself and the environment around you. If you're not careful, you will either spread germs to others or contract them yourself, and since the gym is a place for exercise, you don't want to lessen your experience by being unsanitary. There are a number of common sense and practical solutions you can undertake to make sure that you can avoid germs at the gym. All it really takes is a little bit of focus and commitment to hygiene.

The most simple suggestions are often the most effective, and this holds true with regards to avoiding germs at the gym. Your mom likely always told you to wash your hands before eating a meal; this practice should be applied to your use of the exercise equipment at the gym. You should wash your hands each and every time you use the exercise equipment at your local gym; also ensure that you wash your hands after you're done with the equipment. Taking this step will get rid of germs on your hands and make sure the equipment is clean and hygienic for the next individual who comes along to use it.

Many people who use the gym likely don't even think of this precaution, but it makes a world of sense. When you work out at the gym, be sure to take two towels of differing colors with you. With a towel of one color, wipe off your own sweat after your workout session. With the towel of another color, be considerate of other athletes by using it to wipe down the sweat that you inevitably will leave on any machine you use. Since you're using two towels of differing colors, you will be able to hygienically wipe down the exercise equipment without exposing other gym users to the sweat that you absorbed into your other towel.

Again, something that many people overlook, but what is so easy to do is to just carry your own water bottle from home. Doing so will allow you to hydrate yourself without having to put your lips to the gym water fountain or your water bottle to the gym water cooler. Germs can pass easily from the water fountain to your lips if others at the gym drink by putting their lips to the fountain. Likewise, germs can also pass from the water cooler to your water bottle if others at the gym press their water bottles to the tap on the water cooler.