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Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:30 pm |
I've been seeing so many stories about outbreaks of staph in schools and gyms. This concerns me to the point of considering quitting the gym and just working out at home. Is this an over-reaction? I'm a bit of a germaphobe - mostly when it comes to germs from people. I HATE shaking people's hands and run to the bathroom to wash up immediately after each time.
It's not that I'm not aware that there is bacteria everywhere, and risks everywhere in life for all kinds of things. It's getting around the whole mental idea of not being grossed out by the thought of everything in the gym being somehow contaminated and tainted. Like ewww - don't touch anything here. Like I have to wear full gloves - never take shoes off or change - don't sit on the bikes - don't use their mats or dumbbells and body bars - don't wear shorts or short sleeves etc. Yet I really really want to get in great shape and use the cool cardio machines, take the cardio blasting spinning classes, the yoga classes, the dance and martial arts classes etc. I just feel SO uptight about it all though. How do I relax about it and not get grossed out, get in great shape, AND protect myself throughly?
And then they say to be most concerned about any cuts or scrapes, however minor, yet I am always getting nicks and scrapes on my hands.
They say to wipe everything down, wear gloves, use towels wraped around barbells and use gloves (and wash them immediately after each time when you get home). Don't use the mats in the gym, especially the yoga mats (however 90% of the people at my gym DO use them). As well as never touch the floors with bare feet or hands. Yet everyone taking the yoga classes always do this. They make you take your shoes off before going in the room. In many of the classes like that they even do the exercises on the floor barefoot, like the martial arts stuff. Not only that but they have you get down on the floor and use your hands on the floor directly. No one thinks about it or takes measures to prevent it. They just are not concerned. Yet all the news says you should be concerned. Are you?
Here are some of the articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/fashion/01staph.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/27/fashion/27Fitness.html
"A gym is a place for fitness, not infection. But RaeLynn Carr said that is what she got after a workout using a large rubber exercise ball on her legs."
http://tahilla.typepad.com/mrsawatch/2006/04/gym_infection_a.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/18/health/main3380236.shtml
And look at all these articles:
http://www.gymsoap.com/tvPress.html |
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:31 pm |
Germs have now and have always been everywhere. I work out 3X a week and I simply wipe the equipment down both before & after my work-out. I have been with this fitness center (Lifetime Fitness) for over 8 years and I have never had an infection or illness outside of the normal winter cold viruses that could be attributed to the fitness center. I do not wear gloves, nor do I wrap towels around the free weights (how could you possibly grip them safely with a towel wrapped around them?). The best thing you can do for yourself is wash your hands frequently and keep your hands away from your face.
Try not to worry and go enjoy your workout. |
_________________ Blonde hair, fair skin normal to dry with oily T-zone, Clarisonic, IFP bha/aha combo, Vivier Kine-C, Lips2kiss system, JB ADCE |
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:12 pm |
I think the article I read meant a towel around the barbell type of weights, like behind the neck. Not the dumbbells. But considering how often the dumbbells are used and that at least the rubber ones are not possible to wipe down (the sweat just soaks into them), I wouldn't want to touch them. People wipe down all the other equipment, but not the dumbbells. Strange.
Anyways, I know that germs are everywhere, but doesn't it gross you out? All that sweat to wipe away, and then how can you touch the towel again you used to wipe it down, as your just touching the sweat and germs anyways taking the towel with you to the next equipment. Do you use a spray? I have never seen anyone other then the staff at my gym spray anything down. Yes, I'm a germaphobe. |
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havana8
Moderator
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 3449
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:51 pm |
Thanks for the thought-provoking articles, BYRG.
For anyone who finds themselves (or their loved ones) spending time at hospitals or nursing homes, or are concerned about the gym, or who are interested in keeping ahead of MRSA, there was an interesting link from one of your links to a Green Product called "Staph Attack". It is described as a non-toxic, tasteless, colorless, odorless, fumeless, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-irritating patented ionic silver-based broad spectrum antimicrobial disinfectant and deodorizer, powered by Silver Dihydrogen Citrate (SDC). It has been clinically proven to be effective against bacteria, fungus and viruses, including MRSA.
Quote: |
Traditional silver-based disinfectants have very short shelf lives - from – hours to days. SDC is a stabilized silver ion complex with a shelf life of several years. The unique bond of the silver ion in SDC allows the silver ion to remain in solution while at the same time making it more bio-available for antimicrobial action.
SDC kills microorganisms by two modes of action: 1) the silver ion deactivates structural and metabolic membrane proteins leading to microbial death; 2) the microbes view SDC as a food source, allowing the silver ion to enter the microbe. Once inside the organism, the silver ion denatures the DNA, which halts the microbe's ability to replicate and leads to its death. This dual action makes SDC highly and quickly effective against a broad spectrum of microbes.
While SDC is highly toxic to bacteria, fungus and virus it is non-toxic to humans and animals. Based on the EPA toxicity categorization of antimicrobial products that ranges from Category I (high toxicity) down to Category IV, at use dilutions, SDC is rated in the lowest toxicity category, IV, while traditional disinfectants fall into Categories I and II. |
http://www.enviroguardtech.net/stores.html
Thank you!! |
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:29 pm |
Interesting. I was just reading the other day how wild oregano oil is effective against it. I've used it for other things, but didn't know it was studied for this.
Here is the article/research:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
There is also an article on an essential oil vaporiser:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6471475.stm
I think I'm still going to go to the gym, but I'm going to be very cautious. Always bring my own mat for yoga and other classes, wear yoga socks, stay away from the locker room, wear grip gloves for the weights and wipe down the cardio equipment. As well as wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, carry hand sanitizers and wash my hands a lot. I may seem paranoid, but that's because I am, I'm hypochondriac, so if it does nothing but at least ease my mind it's worth it. I workout at Equinox, so it's not like it's a slum gym, it's well kept, but still a lot of sweat and germs. Yuck. |
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Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:37 pm |
Yeah there are germs everywhere but you don't have to expose yourself to them to workout. You can workout at home and use all of your own free weights and your own mats and when you watch a yoga video the teacher doesn't touch you.
I'm just curious why no one else is concerned at all. Sure I like taking live classes, but it is a risk every time. I wear yoga socks at least so I'm not walking barefoot on their floors and I bring my own mat. Yet, I swear every single other person in the classes use the shared mats. The last time I went I started feeling panicky because the teacher came over and touched my bare skin on my stomach to correct my pose. And then I saw that he was touching everyone else too, even though everyone is all sweaty. Touching their feet even. I could never ever be a yoga teacher. I don't know how they do that. But anyways, so the yoga teacher is directly spreading everyone's germs and sweat to each other. We might as well all be sweating and wrestling together naked. I mean, it's just not hygienic. And then I noticed this splash - pool of sweat in front of my mat on the floor. No one was near there so it must of been from someone walking by or from a previous class. So gross. I swear I could feel my skin where he touched it burning and feeling weird like a reaction. It's not even like my hands, my hands I can just go wash immediately but not other parts of my body, until I can get home and shower hours later. I know I'm a hypochondriac and OCD - but then I read all these stories that confirm my concerns are real - saying that everyone else is just ignoring the reality and the threats of it. I just don't know how to deal with it and keep safe!!!! |
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Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:18 pm |
I go to Bally 3-5 times a week for weights, and on non-Bally days, I use my treadmill at home. I try not to think about germs as I'm sure there're tons. I wash my hands well after my workout. I also have in my purse the strongest Oil of Oregano which I use at the first sign of any symptoms. It really helps. |
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Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:04 am |
I don't go to gyms, but I am concerned about infections and viruses. Did you know the dirtiest surface in your daily life is the handle of a shopping cart? I always use those wipes they have now, and I usually use hand sanitizer afterwards.
BUT. Worrying you're going to get some flesh eating virus simply from your yoga instructor touching you is a little extreme. If he had an open sore on his hands, then touched an open sore of yours, then yeah, freak out. But otherwise, you're not getting anything. You should get those Wet Ones, or something similar, to wipe down after a workout if the thought is simply unbearable.
All you can do is wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, and keep open sores covered. |
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Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:37 pm |
A friend forwarded an article about not to use hotel glasses because they don't wash them. They just use the same rag they use to wipe the counter to wipe those glasses for you to drink out of. Talking about germs! Yikes! |
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Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:02 pm |
One of the most important things to do is keep your own immune system in tip-top shape. This involves reducing inflammation promoting foods, detoxing and lowering stress. Germs have always been and will always be, so being able to fight them is far more effective than running and hiding. JMHO. |
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Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:45 pm |
That's gross about the shopping carts. I didn't know, although I do notice the wipes now. Besides for the handles, the carts themselves always look dirty and nasty to me. I'm careful about not putting anything in the cart unprotected. I don't even like putting the fresh breads in it because the bags have all those holes in them for air. I usually make my husband push the cart, although he doesn't care about germs at all. I mean he will go out and about, go shopping with me, push the cart, handle money, shake people's hands etc. etc. and then eat something he just bought on the way home with his unwashed hands like some bread or cookies or something. He always offers it to me while I'm driving and I always refuse and tell him I have to wash my hands first.
Anyways, when I got home I put oregano oil on my stomach and showered. I didn't so much think that I would really get something, as much as I was just disturbed and grossed out by the sweaty guy next to me. So when I saw the teacher touching the guys feat... eh. I think I'm just phobic cause I don't like shaking people's hands either. I'd rather hug people then shake their hand.
I think I will just make sure I wear full clothing to the gym. Long sleeve big shirts and long pants. I'm rather thin, but I don't care what I look like at the gym. I don't try to dress stylish in expensive workout outfits. Mostly just sweats and t-shirts.
I've been thinking about my yoga mat and I guess I just have to wash it well after every single class. |
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Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:33 pm |
Dahli wrote: |
One of the most important things to do is keep your own immune system in tip-top shape. Germs have always been and will always be, so being able to fight them is far more effective than running and hiding. JMHO. |
I agree. I go to the gym and it doesn't bother me at all. No offence, but it sounds a little over-reactive - life is too short to worry about every little thing like germs. Besides, you start at gyms - where do you stop - what about handling cash? What about holding the rails on an esculator or pressing buttons in an elevator or at the traffic lights, at an ATM etc etc. The consolation should be that at least if people attend gyms you might assume they might have some self-consciousness about health, hygiene and appearance?
I am not a germaphobe and personally believe that to keep your immune system in tip-top shape it needs to be used - every time you are exposed to a germ, your immune system reacts - it's normal and healthy. |
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Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:21 am |
For me, it's just not something I can think about and be sane. I'm a total non-germophobe, but I'm sure I'd freak out if I really let myself think about it. And then I'd never want to handle cash, shake hands, work out, open doors, etc. -- and what a pain in the ass that would be!
When I was a little kid, I had to get tested for allergies, and they found out I was allergic to dust mites. Er, to be specific, dust mite CRAP. And they made me watch a video about how we shed thousands of dead skin cells, and the dust mites eat them and crap out a protein that makes people like me all sneezy and sniffly, but that it's a good thing because if they weren't around to eat our dead cells and crap out toxic proteins, then there'd be giant mountains of dead skin cells building up.
Keep in mind, this is when I was NINE. I was totally horrified, and grossed out to sleep in my bed or touch any of our pillows, etc. Eventually I just got over it and sucked it up -- sure, I'm a bit careful of allergenic stuff, but you know what? Down comforters (which are more dust mite-prone) are warmer than non-down ones, and my allergies have died down a LOT now that I don't think about them. If I walked around picturing all the creepy-crawlies that could potentially be all over everything, like that stupid mandatory allergy video showing the creepy crawlies all over my bed, I'd probably never leave my apartment. Nay, my bleached-thrice kitchen with its non-fibrous surfaces. I just can't live like that.
When I go to the gym, I try to be considerate about wiping off machines and whatnot, but I'm not crazy-careful. I figure if someone's really a germophobe, they'll either mop down a machine obsessively after I use it, or they'll save up and buy a treadmill for their basement. I guess it's all about priorities. Maybe I'll take germ-paranoia more seriously when I have kids or get pregnant and the risk is higher, but for now, I just shut it all out of my mind LA LA LA LA THERE ARE NO BUGS GERMS ARE YOUR FRIEND LA LA LA LA see how much happier I sound than my nine-year-old self? |
_________________ 32, fair hair/eyes/skin, always a mix of dry/oily/sensitive/acne/clogged pores. But I keep getting compliments on my skin, so something must be working! Beauty blog at http://heliotro.pe; online dating coaching at http://theheartographer.com |
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Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:26 pm |
I can't say I don't sympathize, but maybe some folks are a bit overly sensitive. The reality is that getting some germs on your body is not necessarily going to hurt you. The best thing anyone can do is to practice diligent hand washing before touching food or bringing your hands to your mouth for any reason....also being mindful of any open sores. But getting someone's else's sweat on you, gross as it might be, is not an outright health crisis.
I did not know about the cart handles...ICK....but if I don't have the chance to wipe them, I can always make sure to not touch my face. Another study showed that your desk at work is dirtier than the average public toilet seat b/c the toilet seat gets washed everyday. I'd imagine a drop of sweat from another person is not as bad either.
Betsy |
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Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:25 am |
Your purse is also suppose to be really germy- lots of women put their purses on the floor while using public restrooms, then will put them on a counter in a store or something like that. Then you come along and put your purse in the same spot. Ew. I'm the furthest thing from a germaphobe, but I wipe my purse down a couple of times a week. |
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Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:39 am |
I go to the gym and actually got ring worm from one of the mats there after doing sit-ups. Now I spritz with the cleaner they provide all over the gym and haven't had a problem (I got it a few years ago).
I think there is a fine line between protecting yourself and overkill. Actually, there have been studies that those gel sanitizers may not even be that effective.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/health/21cons.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no03/05-0955.htm
I believe in taking care of yourself, washing your hands, etc. I think that one should only grab the inside handle of the door to the bathroom with paper towel...consider all those people who use the restroom and DON'T wash their hands and head straight for the door? But I won't avoid the gym because I got ring worm. If you start to think about all the germs out there, it gets a little overwhelming. People have been dealing with germs for thousands of years and we still come out on top (so far ). Getting overly concerned with germs can lead to OCD (I have a mild form of OCD but not in terms of germs) and in the long wrong, trying to tackle and kill every germ you come in contact is futile. We have microorganisms living on our bodies 24/7...they are good for us.
Balance is good. Go either way on that spectrum (not being concerned about hygiene on one end, overkill on the other) and I believe you'll have negative effects, both physically and mentally. |
_________________ 32, Fair Skin, combo/break-out prone. Simple routine of REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm and Argan oil as a moisturizer; Clarisonic when needed. That's it! |
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sloane
New Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:53 am |
Since I've had children it worries me compared to beforehand, when I wouldn't think twice about anyone else's germs.
But you can't go overboard and lock yourself in the house - it's actually healthier to expose yourself to small amounts of germs everyday than hide away (then the first germ that you get in your system knocks you down with a virus for weeks).
I just wash my hands throughout my workout (one of those poor ladies that has to use the toilet frequently unfortunately - damn baby bump) and obviously wash them again at the end.
Like most obsessed mothers, I do have handwipes in my handbag for when I take my little ones out in public though. |
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Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:38 pm |
I am a frequent gym goer during the winter, and I tend to get a little grossed out about all the germs. I am very careful about wipe of machines before and after I use them and using anti-bacterial soap right after I am done.
I am a huge germ freak, though. I carry antibacterial wipes with me every where and use them when I've been out in public all the time. I also try to bleach out my bathtub and sinks every week. I heard there is a new Oreck vacuum that helps combat germs that cause mildew and other gross things. Sounds like it might be the perfect thing for someone like me! |
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Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:16 am |
As long as you don't have any open cuts I wouldn't really worry. The documented cases of kids getting really sick were mosty team sports where cuts are the rule (the most often to get infected are football players). I do wipe down gym equipment but more importantly wash your hands well or take a shower after working out and use your own towel.
If you avoid the gym you avaoid social contact while working out which is not likely motivating. (I do use oregano oil at home and carry alcohol gel but that is because I have a relative (83) who is resistent bacteria colonized. I think the bigger issues than gyms is the closing the eyes of doctors to the spread into the population through hospital sloppiness. |
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