How To Avoid MRSA at the Gym

To be honest, Geezer has never worried about contacting MRSA–methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the gym, mainly because he has always confused the acronym with MSRA, the Massachusetts Squash Racquets Association, where he has been a member for years. For those who do worry about health club transmitted infection from the potentially fatal bacteria, however, the Washington Post offers some disturbing warnings and some emboldening advice.
First, the warning: About 5 percent to 10 percent of people are infected with thee MRSA superbug, which can survive for hours, even days, on the surface of gym
equipment and other inanimate objects.
Now the advice: Use clothing or a towel as a barrier between your skin and shared
equipment, such as weight-training machines, wrestling or yoga mats,
and sauna and locker room benches. Insist your gym have antiseptic
wipes readily available to clean equipment before and after each use.
Cover any open wounds or sores with a bandage before working out. Keep
the area clean. Never share personal items such as towels, clothing,
swim wear, combs, soap, shampoo or shaving gear. Inquire how high-touch
areas and equipment are being cleaned, how often and what type of
cleanser is being used. If the gym provides towels, customers need to
know if the gym washes and dries them in temperatures high enough to
kill MRSA.

Read more in the Washington Post.