FitSugar

The 5 Germiest Places in the Gym (and How to Protect Yourself)

Michele Foley — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:04:39 PDT

It's kind of ironic that the gym is one of the germiest places a person can encounter in their day-to-day routine - fitness centers are where we go to get healthy! But numerous studies confirm that gyms are crawling with cold and flu viruses, the staph bacteria MRSA, and other bacteria and virus strains that can lead to skin or respiratory infections. Before you freak out and cancel your gym membership, we've rounded up which areas of the gym have the highest concentration of germs and how to protect yourself from them.

Burning Question: Does the Five-Second Rule Really Apply?

Susannah Chen — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:04:55 PST

Have you ever dropped a coveted piece of food, only to pick it right back up, citing the "five-second rule"? I've always wondered whether this cultural phenomenon could actually contain an iota of truth. If something's only been dropped for a moment, does that mean it potentially picked up fewer germs?

A recent New York Times article sets the record straight. The five-second rule should really become the zero-second rule, because the time on the floor doesn't at all change the risk. In fact, a 2007 Clemson University study indicated that 99 percent of bacteria was transferred nearly immediately, and neither contact time nor various surfaces (wood, tile, carpet) affected the bacteria count.

Does this change your attitude toward food that's been dropped - if only for a second?

Got a burning question? Join the Burning Question group in the YumSugar Community! It's your place to post the most pressing questions about the culinary world.

Five Germ-Friendly Areas That Need a Spring Clean

Leta Shy — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:00:53 PST

There's no time like Spring to start getting cleanliness on the brain. A clean space makes us happier and more productive, but staying healthy and combating sickness is another reason to dust, scrub, and disinfect your home. Here are five important germ-infested areas that you shouldn't overlook when you dive into your duties!

Fit Tip: Wash Up If There's a Sink, Use Hand Santizer as Backup

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:00:37 PST

It's a grimy world out there, but are we fighting bacteria too hard? According to a new study, overuse of antibacterial products can hurt the immune system.

Researchers compared triclosan and BPA antibody levels to allergies or hay fever cases in a sample of US adults and children over age six. Children and teens overexposed to triclosan, an ingredient found in many antibacterial products, were at a higher risk for hay fever and other allergies, while adults exposed to high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastics, were also found to have weaker immune systems.

What should you do? Don't throw all your antibacterial products out just yet. The FDA has acknowledged safety concerns over triclosan, but is still studying it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you work soap into a full lather and wash hands for 20 seconds, and use hand sanitizer as backup if a sink isn't available. As for the BPA, invest in BPA-free containers.

10 Ways to Avoid Germs at the Gym

Self — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:16 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Well, duh - this is what we thought when we first saw a new position paper by the National Athletic Trainers' Association that emphasized that people who work out in communal settings - such as a gym - are at risk for skin infections and other infectious diseases.

But, the truth is, with our crazed schedule, we try to get in and out of the gym as quickly as possible while getting a decent workout - often forgetting to sweat the details when it comes to avoiding germs that could lead to the common cold or a potentially dangerous infection such as antibiotic-resistant staph (MRSA).

While we're not going to be crazy about it and we're certainly not encouraging anyone to skip the gym entirely, we ARE going to try to clean up our act by following these no-brainer tips from Brian B. Adams, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Cincinnati:

Cover cuts with Band-Aids. This includes small breaks in the skin such as hangnails or dry, cracked skin.
Spray down machines - cardio and strength - even if they don't "look" sweaty. Most gyms have disinfectant available at points throughout the gym. Use it, says Adams. For best results, spray disinfectant directly on equipment, not on towels. And to make sure it kills the germs, let it sit on the surface for a couple of minutes before wiping it down with a clean cloth.
Never let your bare feet hit the floor - that includes showers, locker rooms, and pool decks, especially. "Always keep your sandals on," says Adams. "Make it so routine that when you forget to wear them it feels like you are driving without your seatbelt on."

For seven more ways to protect yourself at the gym, keep reading.

Wipe Down That Machine Before You Use It

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:00:31 PDT

Here's an important tip to take with you to the gym: wipe down equipment before using it. The gym is a breeding ground for germs, and even though it's nice to think that the person on the treadmill wiped it down before you, this isn't always the case. Keep in mind that you can catch more than the everyday flu or cold from gym equipment. Superbugs - like the staph bacteria MRSA - can survive on gym equipment that hasn't been cleaned properly. Staph is an incredibly aggressive skin infection that is hard to treat - something none of us should have to endure. An Idaho hospital recently reported a rise in staph infections, and officials cite that improper hygiene at gyms and other fitness facilities are the culprit.

The next time you hop on anything in the gym, give it a quick disinfecting. And to be on the safe side, wash your hands when you're done. Better safe than sorry.

Beware of What's Lurking on That Peel

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:47:53 PDT

I thoroughly wash apples, pears, and strawberries before eating because that is what you do with produce with no peel. My mother taught me this as a small child. With food borne illnesses seemingly on the rise, it's recommended to do a solid rinse and even a scrub to produce that you do peel like cantaloupe and potatoes. The majority of fruits and vegetables are seriously manhandled from harvest to store. Even if you do peel certain fruits like kiwis, mangoes, bananas, melons, and oranges, your hands still come in contact with pesticides, germs, and bacteria, which can transfer from the unwashed peel when slicing or peeling to the part you eat. Kind of gross, no?

Do you already wash produce you're going to peel or not eat the skins of?

Are You OK With Lending Out Your Yoga Mat?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:30:04 PDT

Confession: I am a bad friend. This week when a good friend asked to borrow my yoga mat for her Bikram class, I guiltily said no. The idea of sharing something that is so important to me - and that I sweat profusely on - just didn't sit well. I think I was also a little grossed out by the idea of her using it in hot yoga without a towel. I know that yoga mats are easily cleaned, I guess I'm just squeamish about certain things. It's probably the same reason I'm weird about sharing bathing suits and razors. Days later I am still feeling guilty and wonder if I need to find a way to get over my germaphobic tendencies. Tell me . . .

Are You a Major Germaphobe Like Megan Fox?

FitSugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:30:28 PDT

In the June issue of Allure, Megan Fox cops to having obsessive-compulsive disorder, which has turned her into a major germaphobe - especially when it comes to public bathrooms and restaurant silverware.

"This is a sickness, I have an illness. Every time someone uses a bathroom and they flush, all the bacteria is shot into the air . . . Putting my mouth [on silverware] where a million other mouths have been, just knowing all the bacteria that you carry in your mouth? Ucch!"

I'm thinking that Megan must keep silverware on her at all times because in the same interview she said that she'd rather "starve to death" before cooking. I've heard of people who didn't like cooking, but Megan definitely takes the cake on this one.

Tell me . . .

Germy Areas to Hit When Spring Cleaning

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:00:08 PDT

Scrubbing the handle on your fridge and all the light switches with germ-killing cleaners may be on your to-do list when Spring cleaning this year, but those aren't the only germ-infested areas in your house. Prevention magazine has a list of places you don't want to skip when scrubbing:

Kitchen faucet. The screen on your faucet is perpetually moist and dark - the perfect environment for bacteria. It doesn't help if you accidentally touch the screen with food or your dirty hands. Once a week, it's recommended to "remove the screen and soak it in a diluted bleach solution - follow the directions on the label. Replace the screen, and let the water run a few minutes before using."
Garbage disposal. We all know that we let all kinds of things go down the disposal, from raw meat to cucumber peels to leftover milk from our cereal bowl. The disposal and the bottom of the sink are full of bacteria, "about 1,000 times more than the average toilet has." So whatever comes in contact with it, whether it be utensils, dishes, or your cutting board, can become contaminated. At least once a week you should "clean the disposal's rubber stopper with a diluted bleach solution - soap and water aren't enough."
Welcome mat. This was a surprise to me, but it makes sense. It's a place where people wipe their shoes off, and one study found "that nearly 96 percent of shoe soles had traces of coliform, which includes fecal bacteria." The solution? "Spray the doormat once a week with a fabric-safe disinfectant (such as Lysol Disinfectant Spray). Leave shoes at the door, and avoid resting bags and groceries on the mat, too."

Curious to know where else germs are lurking in your home? Then