Physical activity is vital for maintaining both mental and physical health, with research showing that regular exercise can slow the progression of more than 40 chronic diseases and medical conditions. As the seasons change and temperatures drop, maintaining good hygiene during workouts becomes increasingly important to protect your health.
Dr Aarthi Sinha, a GP and wellness specialist, has issued an important warning about the risks associated with improper care of water bottles and workout equipment. She shares five practical tips to help you stay healthy this autumn.
Dr Aarthi explains that failing to properly clean and air your water bottle can lead to harmful bacteria buildup on the inner surfaces. When refilled, these bacteria contaminate the water, increasing the risk of stomach upsets, including diarrhoea and vomiting.
READ MORE: Lidl Plans Major Relocation with New State-of-the-Art Store in Midsomer Norton
READ MORE: Man Arrested Following Serious Crash Injuring Two Elderly Women in Melksham
“If you don’t wash and air your water bottle regularly, bugs can accumulate inside and contaminate the water,” she says. “Drinking from it can then cause gastrointestinal issues.”
Her advice? Make it a habit to thoroughly clean and sanitize your water bottle every day, treating it as carefully as your everyday dishes. For added protection, occasionally use sterilising tablets designed for baby bottles, provided they are compatible with your bottle.
Beyond water bottles, Dr Aarthi warns against using unclean workout mats soaked with others’ sweat, which can harbor bacteria and viruses. “Bodily fluids contain dead skin cells and microbes,” she notes. “These can spread infections like skin spots, coughs, and colds.”
She also urges caution about rewearing workout clothes without washing them first. Sweat and skin cells trapped in fabric can cause skin infections such as impetigo and thrush if clothing is repeatedly worn without proper laundering.
To avoid damaging your athletic gear, wash workout clothes inside out at cool temperatures and skip fabric conditioners, which can degrade stretchy materials and leave residues.
Research conducted by FitRated reveals alarming bacterial contamination levels on gym equipment: free weights carry 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, while treadmill handles harbor 74 times more bacteria than a public washroom tap.
Further studies investigating household washing machines and tumble dryers, which function similarly to gym swimsuit dryers, found that 20% contained E. coli bacteria, known to cause diarrhoea, stomach issues, and cystitis.
“Since sweat, dead skin cells, and saliva transfer from our bodies to swimsuits, and then into dryers, there is a risk of bacterial transmission,” Dr Aarthi explains.
By adopting these simple hygiene practices, you can protect yourself from common but preventable infections this autumn and enjoy your workouts safely.