Nothing is more annoying when you are working out, than when you go to use a bench or machine, and someone has left their stinky sweat all over the equipment! How inconsiderate, rude and disgusting do they think they are, refusing to clean up after themselves? At this particular point, you may either get a towel or a sanitizing-wipe and wipe it down…ya know, bang out your exercises without haggling over some funky bacteria.

Maybe though, you’d rather say…eh, forget about it…simply moving on to a free machine and new exercise set. If the dirty equipment manages to attract another rat whom lacks morals and rag to wipe down his/her sweat, always remember–it’s still FILTHY DIRTY until someone cleans up! Obviously no one wants to workout in another’s bacteria-laden, sweaty mess but, did you ever wonder about the true dangers lurking within that nasty, contaminated gym equipment?

Viruses, bacterias, sickness, AIDS and more, oh dear! Yes, this surely means YOU could potentially catch one of these diseases by exhibiting poor habits on & around the equipment used, AKA the very same surface previously made filthy by Daryl Dirt Ball. Ewww! Gross when you imagine, huh?

Well my friends, YOU can PROTECT yourself with an “invisible shield!” So get this fantastic FitHack, and in 4 minutes (or so) you’ll be 99% less likely to come down with a tainted case of the poops, sweats, or barfs from some workout gear at your local cess pool! Ok, calm now. Good.

Or, you can just…STOP worrying so much since it’s probably excessive! If YOU maintain a strong immune system with healthy dieting and exercise, don’t be scared of catching a virus with such terrible odds! Get this, apparently there exists a substance in human sweat which kills most bacteria, according to one Birgit Schittek hailing from the Department of Dermatology at Eberhard-Karls University in Tubingen, Germany.

This substance is so potent that your sweat often appears as an anti-infection agent. The chemical is called dermcidin and without getting too technical, was tested and mixed with unpleasant skin pathogens such as E. coli. The results were conclusive…dermcidin killed 100% of the bacteria! Great news for those of us who workout in places where people seem to forget to clean the equipment after they’re through. Now, don’t get confused here, even though it seems sweat can kill most bacteria, I would never suggest outright laying in someone else’s sweat, especially in an exercise facility.

On the flip with another piece of good here, is that you shouldn’t worry to much about catching any sort of bacterial infection from accidentally, or purposely even, rubbing about a sweaty puddle masked within the incline bench. But DO know you’re role as a patron of public workout spaces, be polite as possible firstly by cleaning up after yourself, which means each set and exercise machine you touch, wipe down (before too, not just always after if you prefer) and additionally, practice proper gym etiquette, and you’ll be golden for a good long HEALTHY time! But, at least try to know some of the following safe practices for avoiding filthy gym disease!

–Even though our sweat seems to kill off bacteria in the gym, there are still some areas you germ-a-phobe “Mandelic” Mysophobes might wanna’ to avoid.

1]. The hot tub. Turns out, the chlorine in your water isn’t as effective at such high temperatures. If your fitness club doesn’t clean it often and take care of the hot tubs, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

2].That dirty water bottle you continue reusing. Many people use a water bottle or a shaker to drink shakes right after a workout, but don’t clean them properly , and if you guessed…this can quickly become a problem. When the utensil isn’t cleaned properly, all sorts of infectious, disease-causing bacteria starts to form and multiply. So clean those water bottles and shakers out every time! You don’t wanna be that guy or girl…sick from a neutral drink container due to poor cleaning habits.

Basically people, to sum it up, you really don’t have to worry about alien sweat causing sickness or infection. Double-check where you workout…YMCA, private fitness club, whatever. Be sure that you feel employees take good care of their facility and clean the exercise & gym equipment often, keeping you happy enough and hopefully stellar shape. Clean up after yourself and hopefully other members will do the same. The cleaner, safer, ultimately better facility it becomes for all involved!

Don’t sweat it too much now, though, ya’ hear boys and girls?!