At the gym, several potential risks could derail your workout or affect your health. The gym offers access to numerous machines, weights and classes as well as personal training and similar services. Understanding the risks that come with each of these elements at the gym helps you protect yourself when you exercise.
Germs
With so many different people using the equipment and facilities at the gym, you are likely to come into many different types of germs each time you workout. The exercise machines and equipment, door handles and water fountains are prime targets for germs. Touching those surfaces potentially exposes you to illness from cold viruses and influenza. The floor in the locker room and showers provide ideal growing conditions for fungi and bacteria. Athlete's foot is one possibility in those areas. Even the more serious staph infection is a possibility at the gym. Wear shoes at all times and cover any cuts or breaks on your skin. Clean any equipment before using it in case the last person didn't clean it. Wash your hands frequently at the gym and when you get home.
Improper Machine Use
With so many machines and pieces of equipment available, it's tempting to jump right in, but improper use of the equipment increases your risk of injury. Ask for a tour of the gym to gain a sense of the available equipment. Most gyms will also show you how to use the equipment properly. Start slowly on new machines. Working out too hard, at a fast speed or with heavy weights may overwork your body, causing injury or pain.
Availability
Traffic through the gym varies based on the time of day. The busiest times are typically early in the morning and right after work when most people have free time. If you exercise at the gym during this time, you run the risk of unavailable equipment. You may have to wait for your preferred exercise equipment or alter your workout to make use of the machines that are available. When you do land a piece of equipment, you may feel pressure to hurry your workout so others can use it.
Conflict
The mix of varying personalities at the gym leads to the potential for negative interactions with fellow gym users. You may face unwanted flirting or interactions with someone else at the gym. When gym equipment is limited, fellow gym members may become upset if they feel you are monopolizing the equipment, which can lead to a confrontation. Other gym members will annoy you with their noises and habits at the gym. These points of conflict put a negative spin on your workout that you might not face working out at home or another location by yourself.
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