Healthy and Hygienic Home Workouts

It’s no secret that gyms are germ hotspots. We conducted some bacterial surface culture analyses into germs harbored on shared gym equipment and those lurking in the locker room. And the results aren’t pretty. Escaping the hotbed of germs is just one of many reasons people choose to work out at home. Your home gym is open at all hours, allowing you to work out in your own time when no one is watching. But just because you’re exercising at home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. Sofia Norton, a registered dietitian at Kiss My Keto notes that generally, viruses can linger on hard surfaces for up to three days and soft surfaces for one day. But this all depends on the type of bacteria or virus. As Boster Biological Technology’s CJ Xia suggests, although some could disappear after an hour, others may remain for weeks or even months. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to ensure your home workout area remains hygienic. Check out the advice below, and our roundup of the best workout videos and equipment to kickstart your healthy home gym routine.

How to Keep Your Home Workout Space Hygienic

Prepare Your Workout Space: Whether you use a treadmill or a yoga mat to work out, try to dedicate one spot (or room) in your home for your equipment and/or workout area. This can help to reduce the spread of germs to the rest of your home. Avoiding carpeted areas is another safe bet—says health and wellness expert Stephanie Lane—as carpets are trickier to disinfect than hard surfaces. If this is unavoidable, try personal trainer Amy Elisabeth’s tip: exercise on a mat indoors or work out in your garden.

Pre-Workout: Always put on clean workout gear. You don’t want the germs from your last workout session to follow you. Use a laundry sanitizer when cleaning your workout clothes to get rid of any bacteria that detergents leave behind. And as always, wash your hands before your workout. Good old fashioned soap and water is a solid bet here. If you want to, wipe down your equipment even before you start. This includes your chest strap or other wearables. You can do this with any antibacterial wipes or spray. If you’re using an alcohol solution, Lane suggests that you use one that’s over 70% alcohol. Run out of cleaning supplies? Make a solution from your pantry staples with vinegar, water and essential oils. We suggest using tea tree, peppermint or lemon oil for their natural disinfecting properties. 

During Workout: Try to stay in your dedicated workout space. Just as you should always wear clean workout clothes, you should always use a clean workout towel (or t-shirt!) too. During your session, place it in a spot that you have already disinfected.

Post-Workout: Wipe down all your workout equipment after each use (see the pre-workout step above for tips on this). If possible, also wipe the floor area you have been working out on. Amy Elisabeth also suggests that every so often you thoroughly wash the mat and any other equipment in soap and water and allow them to air dry. Damp workout gear is a sanctuary for bacteria growth. No one wants that, or moldy equipment.

Home Workouts: Best Workout Videos & Equipment

It’s easy to start building your own home gym, no matter how big or small your space is. Our reviews of treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, home gyms, max trainers, treadclimbers and more can help you find the right equipment for your space and budget – so you can get fit at home without worrying about other people’s germs.

HOME WORKOUT VIDEOS 

These days, you can get world-class personal training from your smartphone. Whether you want to stream a Daily Burn HIIT routine to your home TV, or dance your way to fitness with Cize, there’s a huge variety of at-home workouts to choose from. Most of these don’t even need any equipment. However, as suggested above, we recommend that you use a mat to make it easier to clean your workout area. It’s also beneficial to use a fitness tracker to monitor your progress, or add some workout gear like dumbbells or exercise sliders to bring your workouts to the next level. Check out our top at-home workouts to get started today.

ELLIPTICALS

Looking for a low-impact workout? An elliptical machine could be your perfect match. These days, ellipticals are made in all sizes and at every price point, so it’s easy to find one for your specific home gym space and budget. Check out our list of the best ellipticals on the market, from bargain-bin models to get you through the next few months, to elite machines designed for advanced trainees.

BIKES

Home exercise bikes are becoming more popular each year. From comfy recumbent models that are easy on the knees, to sleek indoor cycles for getting your spin on, there’s a huge variety to choose from. Check out our best rated exercise bikes of the year to compare models and find the bike that’s right for your training routine and home gym space. Expect the full range, including recumbent exercise bikes, upright stationary bikes, and indoor cycle trainers. 

TREADMILLS

Treadmills have been a tried-and-tested category of home gym equipment for years. Whether you want to gently walk your way to fitness or ramp up your exercise routine with intense incline training, the treadmill is a trusty machine that will get you there. Discover our top treadmills for 2020 to find the right model for your fitness goals and budget.

HOME GYMS

Looking to build strength at home over the coming months? These days you can opt for a traditional resistance training machine or for one that fuses cardio, strength training and interactive fitness. Check out our top rated home gyms to make sure you buy the right equipment for your training needs and home gym space.

By investing in the best home gym equipment, you’ll be able to work out in the comfort of your own home without sacrificing your fitness routine or progress. Following these simple tips and tricks, you can reduce the spread of germs in your home to keep yourself and the rest of your household safe.