The start of the new year means more people are heading to the gym and picking up weights \u2014 and increasing their risk of picking up and spreading germs.
\n
\nTalk about getting down and dirty. The results aren\u2019t pretty. New research found pesky little bacteria lurking under fingernails long after the end of a workout.<\/p>\n
Working out can lead to excessive bacteria growth that\u2019s dirtier than a toilet seat, but better hygiene can prevent this. Fingernail swabs from four individuals who had completed an hour-long workout showed bacteria levels up to 10 times dirtier than the average toilet seat, according to a lab study from the sports betting site Stake. The results revealed a plethora of germs, including staphylococcus, enterococcus, bacillus and E. coli, which can cause skin infections, rashes and more.<\/p>\n
These likely stem from using the same equipment and sweaty mats as hundreds of other gym-goers. Even if your fingernails look clean after training, they could still be harboring more than 15,000 colony-forming units per swab \u2014 levels that exceed an airplane tray table.<\/p>\n
No need to cancel your gym membership, though. Personal trainer Lee Mitchell shared the top five mistakes that lead to those microscopic health hazards.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve just finished a sweaty set on an exercise bench. Before you move on to your next exercise, give the bench and any other equipment you used a quick cleanup. Not only do the microscopic microbes left behind thrive in warm, sweaty environments, but they can also linger on surfaces for hours. Mitchell told The Post you should \u201calways disinfect equipment before and after use with sprays and wipes.\u201d
\nMake sure to give any equipment you used a quick clean afterwards to properly kill bacteria from sweat. After cleaning the equipment, wait about two minutes for the cleanser to properly kill bacteria, Melanie McNeal, physical and occupational therapy\u00a0manager at the Baylor College of Medicine, previously told The Post.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s tempting to wipe away sweat from your face or eyes during a tough session, resist the urge. This is also true if you\u2019re trying to avoid a cold after someone sneezes or coughs on you, as this can spread germs faster by exposing them to your ears, eyes, nose and mouth. \u201cEach touch can transfer germs directly from your hands to sensitive areas,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cKeep a clean towel handy.\u201d<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve been told it\u2019s nice to share, but sharing germs isn\u2019t very nice since sweat, skin cells and microbes can linger on shared items. \u201cLending or borrowing towels, gloves or water bottles is a fast track for germs to move between people,\u201d Mitchell said. Use your own gear and don\u2019t loan it out to protect yourself and everyone around you.<\/p>\n
Apologies to those who love long nails. Leaving fingernails long provides a perfect hiding spot for bacteria, yeast and even traces of E. coli \u2014 especially when in warm gym environments that foster sweat and humidity. Trimming your nails and cleaning under the cuticles regularly with a small brush can stop germs from growing and spreading.<\/p>\n
Another key tip to kill germs and prevent colds or infections is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Don\u2019t have immediate access to a sink? Carry hand sanitizer to keep hands clean on the go, Mitchell advises. And if you do a full wash after your workout, wear flip-flops, as gym showers are notorious breeding grounds\u00a0for mold, fungi and other bacteria that can infect feet.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, post-workout fingernails can be a breeding ground for bacteria, but by being aware of the common mistakes that lead to bacteria growth and taking steps to prevent them, you can keep yourself and those around you healthy and safe.<\/p>\n
Q: How often should I clean my equipment after use?
\nA: You should clean your equipment after every use to prevent the spread of bacteria.
\nQ: Can I share my personal items with my gym buddy?
\nA: No, it\u2019s not recommended to share personal items such as towels, gloves, or water bottles as they can harbor bacteria and other germs.
\nQ: How long should I wash my hands for?
\nA: You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to effectively kill bacteria.
\nQ: Can I use hand sanitizer if I don\u2019t have access to a sink?
\nA: Yes, hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative to washing your hands with soap and water.
\nQ: Why is it important to trim my fingernails?
\nA: Trimming your fingernails can help prevent bacteria from growing and spreading, especially in warm and humid environments like the gym.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Post-workout Fingernails: A Breeding Ground for Bacteria The start of the new year means more people are heading to the gym and picking up weights \u2014 and increasing their risk of picking up and spreading germs. Talk about getting down and dirty. The results aren\u2019t pretty. New research found pesky little bacteria lurking under fingernails […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":28099,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-28097","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-wellness"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F01%2Fdirty-nails-hp-1.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%261768915405&w=1920&resize=1920,1279&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28097"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28097"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28100,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28097\/revisions\/28100"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}