Heading Back To The Gym? Here are 9 Pre-Lockdown Hygiene Habits to Avoid

Do you ever think about your gym behavior and wonder what everyone else does? With the majority of the gym's opening back up we thought we would take a look at data from a pre-lockdown survey that shows some of the bad hygiene habits Americans have.  From hygiene habits to how often you work out, at Myprotein US we want to understand America’s gym routines, what’s considered ‘normal’, and how these can be improved post-lockdown.To find out more, we’ve delved into the routines and habits of 2,081 American gym-goers, pre-lockdown, and surveyed their thoughts to understand what you cared about when it came to gym etiquette. Was it normal to re-wear your favorite workout outfit after a sweaty gym session? Should you have been using a towel? And was it ok to train when you felt sick?We’ve answered all of these questions and more to help you find out what was ‘normal’, what was ok and what was just wrong. Whatever your gym habits were, you may recognize yourself in our round-up of the top ‘normal’ pre-lockdown gym habits in America. Scroll down for a list of habits people had and an infographic to see how you compare.

The Most ‘Normal’ Pre-Lockdown Gym Habits In America

1.Reusing your gym clothesLooking good at the gym can be a huge confidence booster and your gym clothes are a big part of that. Not only do they make you look awesome, they accommodate the movements you perform and adapt to your body. That includes keeping up with the sweat you produce during an intense session. Although they’re designed to handle your workout, they still need to be washed between sessions, right?

According to our survey, many seem to disagree, with 51% of Americans admitted that they would re-wear the same workout gear after standard training sessions pre-lockdown. A further 11% said they wear the same gym outfit again after an intense, sweaty session – not the most hygienic move. If you find yourself wearing the same fitness kit, again and again, it might be time to invest in some new gym clothing for the summer. In the post-lockdown world, we would recommend not only clean your gym clothes more often but also clean your workout accessories too.

2. Neglecting cell phones and headphonesFrom watching Netflix on the treadmill to tracking your lifts, cell phones, headphones and earphones are essential in the gym. There are plenty of apps designed to make your regime more effective and listening to music can help you max out your session.But how often do we clean this part of our gym gear? Only 15% of us actually said that we clean our cells and headphones after a session pre-lockdown, and 52% of us admitted to not refreshing our tech after training. To avoid the spread of germs post-lockdown, simply give them a quick wipe down with an antibacterial wipe before you leave the gym.3. Training more than 6 times a weekWe all want amazing results from the gym, and we all want them now. Whatever you do in your session, rest can be just as important as working out to give your body time to heal and recover.It might feel like you’re slacking, but if you don’t take a rest day you could be compromising those hard-earned gains. Your body can easily become fatigued, meaning you won’t be able to do your best next time you head to the gym. Despite this, 29% of us said that they think it’s normal to workout 6 or more times per week.

If you’re going for a new personal best, or simply to boost your fitness, try to limit your gym visits to just 5 times a week. Spread rest days throughout the week to give your body a few well-earned breaks. That way, you’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to smash your workout. If you need more information on how to plan your workout week, check out our top tips for rest days.

4. Rinsing and refilling water bottlesThe water bottle seems to go unloved by gym-goers. Although they might not need as much cleaning as your protein shaker, they still need close attention. We found that pre-lockdown only 35% said they will thoroughly wash their water bottles.Staying hydrated when you exercise is essential – especially during a high-intensity session. Drinking water helps to replace any liquid you’ve lost through sweat. Even if you think it’s just a small weights session, you can become thirstier than you think and, according to our research, one in ten (11%) people don’t even take water bottles into the gym.

If plain water is too basic, why not add some delicious flavor to your drink and use BCAA powder? It’s a great way of staying hydrated, and they can boost your gym performance too.

5. Ignoring your gym towelFace the facts – if you’re really giving it your all in the gym, you’re going to get sweaty.A towel can be a great way to dry off, clean your kit, and create a buffer between yourself and the equipment. If you know it’s going to be a hot endurance workout, cooling towels are designed to help you stay cool even in the toughest training.

Despite the many handy uses of the gym towel, our survey found that 51% of us didn't take a towel to the gym at all pre-lockdown. You can grab yourself a post-lockdown gym towel here.

6. Washing up pre- and post-session

Staying clean and hygienic while you train is a great way to stay fit and healthy. Bacteria from sweat and shared equipment can get around the gym, but a great way to keep it all at bay is to wash your hands. 

Only 42% said that they always wash up around gym sessions, meaning the majority could do with a quick scrub to stay germ-free. In the post-lockdown world, we would recommend washing your hands before and after your workout. Gym owners should help by making washing and sanitizing facilities more accessible for everyday gym-goers.7. Going to the gym while sickMissing a session can feel like you’re letting your progress slip. But if you’re unwell, going to the gym can actually make you feel worse. Fighting off an illness can lower the strength of your immune system and you won’t be doing it any favors by pushing your limits in the gym. Your body needs time and rest to recover. Despite this, 70% of Americans said that they believe it’s normal to head to the gym while sick to carry on with their routine.Don't let this be you, post-lockdown. Not only can it make you feel a whole lot worse, don’t forget that it can affect those working out around you too. By simply taking a couple of days off, you can speed up your recovery process and be back in the gym in no time, without affecting those around you.8. Showering after sessionsAfter an intense session, there’s nothing quite like a stimulating shower to set you up for the rest of the day. Almost half of the respondents (49%) agreed, saying they shower straight after they finish their training. A further 35% stated, having a shower later, but 16% said they wouldn’t ordinarily rinse off after exercise at all.While it’s good to freshen up, a post-session shower can also help to rinse away sweat, keep your skin clear and reduce the chance of blemishes. This is a key tip for after your post-lockdown gym sessions.9. Believing gyms are just as clean as anywhereWith so many people passing through and working out, there are always going to be some germs around. Many gyms do take pride in maintaining their space and kit – 91% of the people we spoke to said their gym had facilities available for cleaning equipment. This might be why we found that 38% considered gyms to be just as hygienic as other public places.Although gyms are home to a number of germs, there are plenty of measures you can take to beat the bacteria post-lockdown. Wash your hands after sessions, wipe down equipment, and launder your clothes on a regular basis.Overall, many of us maintain fitness practices that might look a little odd to others – especially when it comes to hygiene. Check out our infographic below to see how you compare to the US average.