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dennis
Member
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 163
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 06:53 pm: | 
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I was wondering how you guys handle showering at public places. Things like after working out at the gym, or swimming?
I go home to clean up after the gym but it isn't always the best option, there have been some times when I find myself having to go back to the vicinity of the gym later on becuase I had had to go home and shower first.
What safety steps do you use to prevent getting any infection?
And how have those steps worked out for you.
I'm hoping some of you have good tips that I can follow in the future.
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 3094
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 07:21 pm: |
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dennis, although you feel it is not the best option, I always shower at home. My wife and I watch the shower head (use CLR on it) and scrub the shower/tub. I know that in a small gym like I go to, that they should, but I trust my wife and myself much more than anyone else. What I do is I take an extra t-shirt with me so that I don't get my winter coat all sweaty. I wipe myself down very well before I leave and we launder our coats more often than most folks. I don't know any other way of keeping myself away from germs. If I have to go back in the vicinity of the gym, oh well.
| There are not too many things in life worth working my butt off for, but my health is one of them |
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Russ
Member
Username: Rjwitte
Post Number: 25
Registered: 06-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 08:28 pm: |
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I work out at the local YMCA and know what you mean ... it is one of the cleanest around, nevertheless a number of years ago I managed to catch a subcutaneous staph infection ... nothing really dangerous, but quite annoying.
Here's what I do and it keeps me (mostly) healthy:
1) Bring my own towel, anti-biotic body wash and shampoo.
2) Use antibiotic gel generously on all equipment before working out
and on hands whenever touching anything.
3) Use flip-flops in locker room and shower (always!).
4) Place a towel on bench/chairs -- never sit directly on any surfaces.
You have to live your life and as you get further out you're less likely to catch things, in my experience. Also the exercise helps to keep your immune system strong.
Best wishes.
Russ - Heart Txp, 1-1-1999
Univ. of Michigan |
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dennis
Member
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 164
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 09:50 pm: |
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Thanks.
Good you guys mention it. I haven't gotten anything but also wondered what you guys do to 'clean' the equipment. I use wipes to wipe them down. the seat/bench and the handles.
What do you do and what do you use?
On the back of my head, I kinda worry a bit because even if I 'clean' stuff I know I will still hold something risky at some point since we use a lot of our hands in working out. My problem is at some point I'm sure I'll probably wipe my face with my towel and by holding the towel throughout the session I basically put may hands on my eyes and mouth to a certain degree.
Are you guys able to avoid that?
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 3096
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 10:23 pm: |
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dennis, all you can do is the best you can. You need to remember that not only do I exercise at the gym that I work out in, but I also clean it two nights a week. I wipe any equipment like treadmill and elliptical down before I use them. I use my towel on the bench if I have to lay on it or sit on it. There have been many colds and other stuff that have gone through that gym, but I have not caught many. I keep up on my immunizations and that is about the only other thing I can do.
| There are not too many things in life worth working my butt off for, but my health is one of them |
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 3098
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 07:50 am: |
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My cleaning at the gym is voluntary because I like to be able to go in--there are always folks there and I have gotten to know almost everyone there, whether they are trainers, owners or clients.
| There are not too many things in life worth working my butt off for, but my health is one of them |
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Hilary
Member
Username: Cowgirlhilary301
Post Number: 15
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 12:19 pm: |
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I swim and work out at the gym most days, and I have been very fortunate as far as not getting sick. My gym is clean, and they have a spray bottle of cleaner and paper towels throughout. I wipe things down sometimes but not consistently. I actually am more likely to wipe off a machine after I use it if it is sweaty. I don't shower at the gym much anymore but for awhile I did a lot. I wore flip flops in the shower but other than that didn't do anything special. I do try to bring a small hand towel with my and put it on a mat or anything where my head has to go down on something.
I love exercise and find that it is good for my mental health as well as physical, it helps me keep my weight in a healthy range as well as blood pressure and sugar and all that good stuff. 
~Hilary~
2-time liver recipient 07.20.1996 and 03.01.2001 Dallas, TX
Transplant Games Athlete, Tennis/Swimming
Team Nations Capital |
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dennis
Member
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 165
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 08:28 pm: |
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Yeah, if swimming is involved then showering is inevitable I would think, and flip flops are a must.
Hey Cisco, you know I was wondering for a moment when you said you were cleaning the gym. I wasnt sure if you meant it literally or figuratively, meaning really cleaning the gym or by always wiping down you were in essence 'cleaning the gym'. As it turns out, the former is true LOL.
But you are correct, that is a good way to make sure that at the end of the day, your 'work place' will be clean to a good extent. And yes, you get to know the people there quite well which is always a plus.
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 3101
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 08:59 am: |
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We have all learned what to look for as far as others being sick. If I do that in the course of working out, I know who has even the start of a cold and that I need to avoid them. I also know who has allergies, so who I know to ask if they are starting a cold or it is just allergies.
| There are not too many things in life worth working my butt off for, but my health is one of them |
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Sam
Member
Username: Gustavwind
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Friday, February 05, 2010 - 03:03 pm: |
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I had raised the question of gym hygiene in this forum a few weeks back, and with the encouragement of the members here, I returned to my gym, which is on a university campus. I've made the following adjustments, and so far so good:
- I paid extra to use the "exclusive" locker room (they call it "gold club"). Here, the lockers are private, so I don't share with anyone. This locker room is used by a relatively small number of people - mostly faculty, so what little traffic there is is generated by a somewhat more mature clientele.
- I take two towels - one for working out and one for after the shower. I use the workout towel on benches, etc.
- As others have already mentioned - flipflops. And in the shower, I avoid touching valves and faucets with my hands. If I do touch them, I scrub them thoroughly with lots of soap before touching any part of my body.
- I wipe down every piece of equipment I use (including handles and bar/dumbells) with disinfectant BEFORE and AFTER I use it. I am constantly confusing people who think I am finished with a piece of equipment when they see me wiping it down. Some of them think I'm nuts.
- I have become very good at keeping my hands away from my face.
Overall, I feel very good having returned to a reasonable workout routine. Obviously, we can't eliminate all risk, so with the accommodations I've made, it is definitely worth it.
One funny(???) incident: A student walking past me sneezed right into his hands, so I stopped him and asked him if he realized how generously he's sharing his nasal discharge at the gym. At first he was indignant, but he then turned apologetic. I hope he changed his ways.
Sam
Kidney Transplant 16 July 2009
NY Presbyterian |
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 3135
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, February 05, 2010 - 03:38 pm: |
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While I do not quite go to those lengths, I still try to be careful. Since I do not use the shower, I do not have to worry about that aspect. I constantly wipe my face with the towel, but do not put my hands on my face. I wear a sweat band and hang the towel on the machine, but only after I have wiped it down thoroughly. When I am lifting, I never put my hands near my face, and when I am finished, I thoroughly wash my hands before changing my shirt. I then take a shower when I get home. After reading what you had to say, Sam, I am thinking about taking one of my own towels to the gym. The ones they give you are not very big and I sweat big time, especially if I am doing cardio.
| There are not too many things in life worth working my butt off for, but my health is one of them |
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