Everyone's Health

Sweat, Good or Bad?

Sweating

Packed fitness centers give new meaning to the words sweatshop.

Pressed for time, people are less likely to wipe down machines and mats, leaving behind sweaty residue. Staff also is overworked and might sidestep the club's own protocols for health safety.

“You've got people throwing bodily fluids all over because they are sweating, groaning, grunting and spitting,” Bedell said.

Sounds gross. Who wants to pick up some slippery dumbbells?

But sweat is the least of your worries in a fitness center, said Dr. Peter Katona, associate clinical professor of infectious diseases at the University of California Los Angeles. He said you should be more concerned with catching athlete's foot from shower floors, or coming down with a cold if someone nearby is coughing and sneezing.

Research has shown that sweat can actually kill several forms of bacteria.

Still, sweat can become contaminated and could enter a cut in the skin, he said. “If you're going to be on a mat that a lot of people use, I would wear a shirt or put a clean towel down.” Likewise, wipe equipment that looks clammy.

Prior | Tell us what you think | Next

Add to Your Social Bookmarks: Del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Simpy Spurl Y! MyWeb - StumbleUpon