Am I getting sick from the gym?

If you've ever wondered if you're getting sick from the gym, the answer could be, yes. We've read horror stories. Recently on Instagram I saw a post where a woman claimed to have gotten herpes from the gym. Could it be true? According to dermatologist Latanya Benjamin @drmommy.derm, the answer is yes. While she said the risk of getting herpes from gym equipment is relatively low due to the virus' fragile nature and low lifespan on gym equipment, here are some of her recommendations.

1. Cover any open sores with a waterproof Band-Aid.

2. Don't share personal items like towels or lip balms.

3. Don't shave prior to going to the gym.

But if the risk to getting herpes from gym equipment is low, what about germs that have a longer lifespan?

How long do germs live on surfaces?

First, let's talk about some of the more common germs that can live on gym equipment, mats, dumbells, showers and water fountains. Common bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Salmonella and Pseudomonas. These bacteria can lead to boils, cellulitis, pneumonia or antibiotic-resistant MRSA, or gastrointestinal issues. Common viruses in the gym range from those that cause the common cold to flu—Rhinovirus and H1N1. Other especially irritating pathogens—HPV for example can lead to plantar warts—and specific fungi can result in athlete's foot and ringworm.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are the most common pathogens found in fitness centers. Their time of survival on hard surfaces is due to several factors including moisture, temperature and air movement, and of course whether or not a disinfectant is used to kill the germs.

How do I kill germs on gym equipment?

We've all seen this at the gym. The person in front of you has an aggressive workout. He or she leaves the machine and uses a towel to swipe at the sweat left behind thinking they've left the machine in good shape. I promise, the only way you can effectively eliminate germs on exercise machines, free weights and mats is to use a disinfectant before and after using the equipment. But you must use the disinfectant correctly.

Dwell time is extremely important. You have to allow the disinfectant to stay wet on the surface for the amount of time specified on the product's label. That can range usually from 30 seconds up to several minutes. If you're using disinfectant wipes rather than spray, you may need to use an additional wipe to keep the surface of the equipment wet for the recommended time. Make sure you disinfectant anything your hands may touch (handles, levers) and avoid touching your face until you can properly wash your hands with antibacterial soap or a hand sanitizer.

If you're using a spray solution provided by your gym, ask to see the product label. A sanitizer isn't good enough to disinfect and eliminate germs. And if the product is an all-purpose cleaner, it's not getting rid of anything except possibly grease or grime. The product has to say it is a "disinfectant" and the label must explain how long it takes to kill bacteria and viruses.

The Clean Truth

The SoRite Company is the developer and manufacturer of one of the fastest working disinfectants on the market. Our disinfectant spray kills Herpes Simplex, Athlete's Foot, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus - MRSA, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcal peneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 in 15 seconds. That's seconds, not minutes.

Whether you’re scrubbing your kitchen counter or cleaning up at the gym, you deserve to know how your disinfectant really works. We are completely transparent about the safety and efficacy of our products. We even publish the proof!  SoRite.com/pages/proof.