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I am a germaphobe, especially now that I have children.
When grocery shopping, I use a cart protector 
My neighborhood has a fitness center that is rarely, if ever, cleaned. Occasionally I see someone wipe down a machine, but that is definitely not the norm. So when I get to the gym, I am freaked out at the thought of what germs might be on the Stepmill handles or the free weights I will be using.
Apparently my worry is completely justified. The results of a study done by ABC’s Primetime revealed that a gym is a breeding ground for many viruses that I don’t ever want to pick up!
In the experiment, Primetime swabbed various pieces of gym equipment to see just what is there. They found:
“staphylococcus, streptococcus viridans, diptheroids and e-coli — the most common bacteria in human feces. On one exercise bike, “Primetime” found candida — the germ that causes yeast infections.”
Gross right? Read on:
“But Tierno said the bacteria found in human feces, e-coli, was worst on the shower floor. “Germs do survive in the shower … on the walls and on the floor,” he said. “I found them in hoards. Unbelievable quantity.”
Hoards? I do not want to be exposed to HOARDS of germs!
That is why I jumped at the chance to try out GymSoap.
GymSoap is an anti-fungal, antibacterial body wash for athletes. It helps prevent anything you might pickup while working out in a gym or sports facility.
The active ingredient is Triclosan, combined with tea tree oil. The combination of the two is powerful enough to kill germs, while still being gentle on the skin.
GymSoap is just what I needed to calm my post workout germ worries. You can order some here. They even have a great guarantee–try it out for 15 days and if you don’t like it, they will buy your bottle back!
Try it out gang and let me know what you think. Let’s keep those hoards of germs at bay!
Now, have you been active today?
Written on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Filed under product reviews.
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June 30th, 2008 at 5:05 am
I am with you, the anti-bacterial soap is used often
in our family. At the gym there are anti-bacterial wipes that are used before and after workouts. While at the gym I go as far to avoid touching my face until I have showered…I am kinda weird that way!
The Swimming Olympic Trials are all this week on NBC…Go Dara!
Mark Salinas’s last blog post..Fitness At All Ages
June 30th, 2008 at 5:58 am
All of a sudden, a workout DVD done at home sounds just perfect.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:19 am
I LOVE the gymsoap but I also rarely get to the gym now with my Toddler….my hubby? ADDICTED.
he’s an every day gym’er AND a skeptic
so it must be good…
MizFit’s last blog post..Monday (sort of blurry) Facetime
June 30th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Feeling strangely happy that we can’t afford a gym membership- ha! They do kinda gross me out though, the group sweating and touching of things. And I am not even one who is phased by germs.
Hannah’s last blog post..Registered
June 30th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Thanks for the info. I always forget about the nasty stuff you can catch at the gym.
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June 30th, 2008 at 8:48 am
You know, hubby and I wipe down the machines at the gym when we are done using them but duh we should probably be wiping them down BEFORE we use them and I use the gym showers but always wear flip flops.
Great info and definitely a wake up call to be more cautious.
Thanks
Angie’s last blog post..Exercise challenge update for 6/23-6/29 2008
June 30th, 2008 at 8:51 am
wow, I’ve worked out at some dirty nasty gyms, and I’m not really surprised at how filthy they can be…
June 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Kind of sad that we work out to be healthier and yet the places we work out are brimming with filth! Usually I just hold my breath, mutter “it’s good for my immune system” and try not to think about getting a YEAST infection from a bike seat. (wear underpants people!!)
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June 30th, 2008 at 10:16 am
It is sad that you lack such basic microbiology. Using triclosan 24/7 only gives you resistant strains of bacteria, while it most effectively kills the non pathogenic ones. For reference, check the bacterial flora anywhere on your skin after a good shower session, you will be amazed. Yes, even after washing yourself with triclosan, you are invested with bacteria. Get used to it, it is normal, fear of this sort is obsessive and misinformed.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I can’t help but laugh because while I have been home laid up I’ve been err watching tons of talk shows and Tyra had this on about germphobes.. I was amazed at some of the stuff found.. I keep antibacterial wipes and lysol wipes in my purse LOL I might look into this for when I return to the gym!
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June 30th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I am also a total germaphobe… and proud of it, especially after reading the results of ABC’s study. Ewww!
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June 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Totally agree with DJ, not only is triclosan contributing to more and more instances of drug-resistant bacteria, but it is also a major pollutant. There is a difference between basic hygiene (wearing shower shoes and washing hands after using the bathroom) and freaking out unnecessarily (anti-bacterial wipes on everything). All of you over-reacting to germs are just making the problem worse.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Okay, I just got back the gym a little while ago and I haven’t showered yet and now I am so grossed out. Going to hop in the shower, right now!
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June 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I always wipe down the Pilates reformers after I teach a class. And so do all the other instructors. But there are still shared mats, weights, and all types of equipment that doesn’t get cleaned. Yuck! I carry baby wipes with me everywhere.
I agree that we tend to overdo it on the anti-bacterial front, but a basic level of cleanliness is a good thing.
(Living with 2 young kids, you get used to a certain amount of mess and germs, lol!)
June 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
DJ and Bethany, I am definitely not a microbiologist, but I do know that germs are rampant in the gyms because they rarely get cleaned and many people do NOT wash their hands after using the bathroom. If triclosan can prevent me and others from getting any viruses that are lurking at the gym, then I think it is warranted.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Alissa from GymSoap here…
Thanks for the positive feedback received today. We really appreciate it. Since creating GymSoap, we have heard many testimonials from people who have used it to help prevent ringworm and athletes foot. Many users tell us that an outbreak occurs at their gym or school fitness center and they have attributed daily use of GymSoap to staying fungus free.
I personally used to get distracted when I would see sweat marks on the cardio machines I was about to jump on. Handwashing and showering with GymSoap has helped me stay focus on what I am at the gym for: to feel healthier and get toned!
June 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hey, all! Great article. Really opened my eyes. I will, however, not allow anything with triclosan into the house. It’s a toxin, depending upon what it reacts with. Look it up on Wikipedia.org. Looking for some other alternatives, because I don’t want the germs, either.
Have a great day!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dear workoutmommy,
You are very right in noting that many people lack basic hygene, ie. not washing hands after bathroom visits. You are advised not to touch any body areas that are open, especially those that are moist (mouth, nose eyes) before you wash your hands. By which you need to physically clean your hands, detergent helps in doing so. However, only in medical settings more thorough antibacterial cleaning is needed. The issue here, is that is will prove very hard to really prove that the use of such a strong antibacterial agent as triclosan actually makes you less likely to catch a ‘germ’.
Tip: Next time when you are in the gym, just score how many times you actually touch your eye-nose-mouth area while you are working out. This is your most immediate ‘germ’ risk. Use of antibacterials - warranted or not? I think it is not. Just remember that we carry over 3 kilos of bacteria with us, 24/7, most of them in our gut and on our skin. The air is also infested with bacteria, this you can, however, overcome by wearing a mask. (Which i neglect to do).
Does this help?
June 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I’m mostly a what-doesn’t-kill-you-makes-you-stronger type person so germs don’t generally bother me all that much. But it can be kind of gross about all that bacteria.
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June 30th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
deanna, I checked out wikipedia and it definitely can be toxic if mixed with the chlorine in water. Interesting though is this info:
Triclosan is used in many common household products including Clearasil Daily Face Wash, Dentyl mouthwash, Dawn, the Colgate Total range, Crest Cavity Protection, Softsoap, Dial, Right Guard deodorant, Sensodyne Total Care, Old Spice and Mentadent.
It seems to be in a lot of everyday stuff….
June 30th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Nasty! I’m more of a exercise-at-home person now, but when I do go to the gym, I will wipe down the equipment before I even use it sometimes (if I remember!) Then I make sure I wash my hands when it’s time to leave the gym! (And yes, don’t touch your face!!!)
If I use the shower at the gym, I wear flip-flops! That’s a must! I inwardly cringe when I see others walking around the shower/bathroom in bare feet - more ick!!!
I honestly prefer just regular, good ol’ fashioned soap, nothing fancy. I just need soap to loosen the germs and make them easier to wash off my hands. That’s the goal anyway - get them off my body and down the drain!
Good reminder on maintaining hygiene, especially at the gym!
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June 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
DJ: I definitely touch my facial area way too many times, so I know I am exposing myself to all sorts of stuff. The next time I am there though, I will make a point to remember this so I can hopefully stop myself before doing it.
See my comment above, triclosan is included in many everyday products.
Is your advice to skip the antibacterial soaps and just use regular ones? If so, any recommendations? Thanks!
July 1st, 2008 at 3:13 am
Hello again! Yes, we use just everyday soap. I like the Method brand, because it’s low on the chemical factor. I’m on a tight budget, so I can’t afford all the products in their line. I think all the comments here about our hygiene habits actually do more to protect us than our use of any one product.
But, think about it. A person who uses antibacterial soap is probably a person who washes hands and surfaces frequently. The danger of triclosan, and other chemicals, is in the build-up over time. If you don’t use the triclosan often, I’m sure it’s not an issue. We read so much about the hidden risks of our chemical-filled world.
Look at aluminum - it’s in our deodorants, in our cookware and bakeware, tin foil for wrapping and cooking food. Once again, I’m not a fanatic, but it’s the buildup over time that concerns me. I use stainless steel cookware, natural deodorant (except in the summer when I need more help!), and don’t use tin foil for wrapping all our leftovers. Just to minimize our exposure.
I have three boys. My kids and I don’t get sick any more than anyone else at school. I’m satisfied that I’ve not exposed us to any more risk by not using antibacterial soap.
We did have a run of strep one winter - I just couldnt’ get rid of it. My pediatrician recommended using triclosan soap - I did. It’s listed on the label as a drug - I treat it as such.
Great comments! I’m glad I found your site!
Deanna
July 1st, 2008 at 4:03 am
Just any soap, it does not make that much of a difference. You only need to use antibacterials for special reasons, like staph infections or the likes. As a side note; antibacterials do not work against viruses, just bacteria.
BTW, the fact that ‘they’ found ecoli and the likes somewhere does not tell you a lot. Detection tools nowadays are so good that i guarantee you can even find them on your own supposedly clean toothbrush. Just as you can find cocaine on 99%+ of all dollar notes. Don’t worry too much over it, just make sure that before anything comes near your face, it is clean.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am
Just saying hello.
checking in
Miz.
MizFit’s last blog post..Tues Tip. Rocco style.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:12 am
This is an interesting post. As you may know, I call myself the Bag Lady because I designed and created the CartSmart Bag - hangs over the handle of your shopping bag to help protect your hands from the germs found there (then, of course, you use it to bring your groceries home, reducing the use of plastic bags).
I am a bit of a germaphobe, obviously, but I try not to go overboard with it, because, as DJ has been pointing out, all our anti-bacterial products have only served to make the bacteria more resistant.
In certain settings, it pays to be a little more vigilant about washing your hands frequently, and I would certainly be paying attention to touching my face whilst working out in a gym (thank God I’m so cheap and lazy!!
)
But we also need to be aware of the chemical overload that is occurring nowadays. Vinegar works just as well as some of the more potent chemicals available when it comes to cleaning, and is less harsh on the environment.
(just my two cents worth!)
the Bag Lady’s last blog post..Treasure, Methinks
July 1st, 2008 at 9:29 am
Curiously enough, you are almost right with your vinegar remark. Acid stress, even weak organic acids kill bacteria in a dose dependent fashion (say > 99%). Triclosan and its gang kills more (>99.5%) but in either case, the just cleaned surfaces are not germ free…
July 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
ewwww….germs!
Is that a Bag Lady Cart bag? whoo hooo!
I always wipe down the treadmill and any gym equipment I use with the spray bottle provided there…just have to hope everyone does the same! May try that soap though..
Missicat’s last blog post..A Tale of A Dress
July 1st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
BTW - the CartSmart bag hangs over the handle of the shopping CART, not bag…must not have had enough coffee earlier… (Or perhaps should put my contact lenses in BEFORE I try to type…)
DJ - I’ll put up with .5% more germs rather than use harsher chemicals! And you are right again - nothing is totally germ-free. Not even surgical suites. *shudder*
the Bag Lady’s last blog post..Treasure, Methinks
July 1st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Yuck! I workout at home, but still! Great post. I haven’t been here in awhile… looking forward to catching back up - smiles!
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July 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 am
Remedies that really work are ionizing radiation or hard UV, which is also used for sterilizing water in some regions. This UV, however, is so hard that it will give you ’sunburn’ < 20 seconds of exposure.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.
After becoming “mom,” I became a germophobe as well.
And I’m constantly wiping down equipment at the gym.
But the shower?! It hurts my head to think about. I thought my flip flops would help protect me. Guess not, eh?
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