by Ted Sherman

Created on: May 27, 2007

Do you mean germs such as in those 400-pound, fat-butt, sweaty, smelly, unwashed vermin who always seem to sit on the bench at the locker next to yours and then jump into the spa without showering? There's not much you can do about those human kind of germs, but there are basic tips you should follow whenever you go to a public place, such as a gym, toilet, spa, pool or any other place where you must take off at least some of your clothes.

1. Always keep bottles or tubes of hand, body and face cleaner fluids in your gym bag. It is wise if you carry a small one into the exercise area, and wipe off the parts of the equipment your skin will be touching.

2. Always shower before and after you use the spa and pool. And, of course, hope everyone else does the same.

3. Watch out for athlete's foot or other shower and locker floor infections. It may be a good idea to use some medication on your feet as a preventative before you get dressed. It may be prudent to wear rubber sandals at all times in those areas. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly before putting on socks and shoes.

4. Don't dry yourself with anyone else's used towels. If you have a permanent locker at the gym, always keep at least one fresh one there, and carry another fresh one in your bag for each visit.

5. If the gym is heavily patronized, it may be prudent to take an extra towel, preferably with some detergent on it, for wiping down all weightlifting and exercise machinery before use.

6. If you have the flu, heavy cold or serious skin condition, stay away from the gym until you're well again. You'd want others with such ailments to do the same when you're a healthy exerciser there.

7. Bring your own drinking water. If you want it cool, pack along with the water bottle in your bag with one of those frozen packs. Don't ever drink from the public tap or fountain. Don't accept an offer to drink from someone else's used bottle of water. Even the old water cooler with paper cups may be too iffy to use.

8. The old-stand-on-the-seat warning. When using a public toilet, whether in a familiar gym or elsewhere, the same precautions for cleanliness apply. Carry a bottle or tube of disinfectant, and with paper towels or toilet paper, rub down the area where you're going to plant your tush. It may be a good idea to line the seat with paper towels or a paper toilet seat cover before you sit down.

Of course, there is no absolute way to avoid germs at the gym nor anywhere else you venture in public. However, those simple rules of hygiene you learned as a kid are the best to apply for maximum protection.

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