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What's the Grossest Part of the Gym?

The answer may surprise you.

When you workout at the gym, have you ever stopped to consider what you’re touching? Sure, you’ve probably wiped down a sweaty bench or two, but do you know what the grossest part of the gym is? The answer may surprise you.

The grossest thing in the gym are the free weights. Not the sweaty benches, but the free weights. In fact, free weights are so gross that they carry over 300 times as much bacteria as a toilet seat. You know how you don’t wipe down a toilet seat with your hand and then touch your face? Practice similar control when it comes to the free weights. Disinfect free weights before you use them and definitely don’t touch your face until you’ve had a chance to wash your hands first.

Treadmills, exercise bikes, and other equipment are also pretty germy spots. Then there’s the pool, drinking fountain and other cesspools. Much of the problem is that people don’t practice good hygiene or have unfortunate bodily fluids release when exercising. Just going through Twitter will reveal vile habits like a man adjusting his Speedo before using the drinking fountain. Or accidental defecation during a weightlifting session.

To avoid germs at the gym, wipe down equipment before and after you use it by carrying those handy antibacterial wipes and put a towel down before you use anything. And if you shower, wear shower shoes to avoid getting warts and other water born germs. Gym germs have been responsible for spreading everything from common colds to serious bacterial infections and illnesses. So you don’t have to skip the gym — just use the equipment safely. It’ll be better for your health.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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