Skip Nav  How to Avoid Germs at the Gym  The cold temps are
moving in and it's that time of year for colds and the flu. To
prevent getting the sniffles, sore throat, and achiness, you've
got to avoid the germs. It's not enough to watch out for germy
places in your home. You've also got to beware of places that
are shared by tons of people, and for FitSugar readers, that
means the gym. Yours may seem neat and clean, but that doesn't
mean it's germ-free. So here are some ways to avoid the
invisible creepy crawlies that can make you sick.    • Spray
down all equipment before you use it with disinfectant spray. It
may be a rule at your gym that you have to clean equipment after
you use it, but who knows if the person before you remembered,
or how thorough they were. Wipe down everything you touch
including handles on weight machines and dumbbells, yoga balls,
and buttons on the displays.   • Purchase your own mat for yoga,
Pilates, or strength training. They're sweat on by many, and
rarely get washed.   • If you'