Most people go to the gym to get healthy and maybe lose a few pounds. But many health club visitors are unaware of all the unhealthy things lurking in gyms — including respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin-infection causing germs. Not to mention — sweat. A whole lot of it.

While most gyms have sanitizing stations and wet wipes available for gym goers to use throughout the facility, no one can ensure how well a weight machine, yoga mat or treadmill has been wiped down before you got to it. If it has not been cleaned thoroughly, you could be putting yourself at risk for catching the common cold, the flu, Athlete's Foot, or worse, ringworm or MRSA.

Experts say it’s best not to leave the cleaning up to chance. 



“The biggest risk in gyms is all of the ‘common touch surfaces,’ — things we will touch with our hands,” Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D, co-director of the Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health, tells Good Housekeeping|Healthy Living. “Carry a pack of surface sanitizing wipes and wipe as you go from one piece of equipment to the next,” if needed, Scott adds.



Here, the magazine offers the Top 7 Germiest Spots At The Gym:

1.)    Dumbells and free weights
2.)    Cardio equipment
3.)    Shower and locker room floors
4.)    The mats
5.)    Shared towels
6.)    Water fountains
7.)    Gym bags

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