What happens if you don’t wipe down gym equipment before use?

If you go to the gym, this one is for you. Even though the gym may be your happy place, always make sure to wipe down your equipment. Here’s why it’s important and what happened to this gym-goer because of dirty equipment.

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An alarming public service announcement

As someone who goes to the gym almost every day, Hillary Nguyen (@xhillarynguyen) was shocked to learn the hard way about the dangers of dirty equipment. Turns out dirty gym equipment gave him ringworm.

“PSA to all my gym girls, if you don’t wipe down every piece of equipment before using it, you’ll want to start,” Nguyen says.

She continues: “Three months ago I found out I had scalp wingworm and it literally made me bald.”

She then shows photos of their scalp three months ago with a circular bald spot near the front of their head.

“The same day I went to the doctor and they did a black light test on me and that’s how they found out it was ringworm. She asked me if I went to the gym and I said pretty much every day, so that’s probably why,” Nguyen says.

The video had 40,000 likes and 491,300 views as of Saturday.

The Daily Dot has previously reported on other reasons why people are wary of the gym, like this woman who claims a man was harassing her.

Can the gym really give you ringworm?

The answer is yes. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), people who go to the gym are vulnerable to a host of skin infections, including ringworm. However, it is treatable. Nguyen explains that after three months of treatment, his scalp improved and details the journey in another video.

Unfortunately, gyms are ideal environments for the growth and transmission of bacteria between people. Bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, humid environments like gym equipment and showers. This is why it is important to follow proper hygiene procedures at the gym.

Tips for spending time in the gym healthily

There are many ways to avoid getting infected when working out in shared spaces. According to the same AADA article, wiping down equipment before and after use is a good place to start. This ensures that you are safe and that the person following you is also covered.

Another tip is to wear loose, moisture-wicking clothing. This will keep your skin dry and prevent you from absorbing germs. Of course, they also recommend washing your gym clothes after use.

In addition to disinfecting your clothes, it is a good measure to disinfect yourself by taking a shower as soon as possible after training and washing your hands as well.

Viewers have their say

Nguyen’s PSA did wonders, with several people saying they had no idea and thanking Nguyen for sharing. Others share similar experiences with ringworm.

“I got gym ringworm on the inside of my elbow (probably at a bar). I thought for a long time it was an itchy bug or spider bite, until it got worse,” one commenter wrote.

“Well, a new fear reactivated. I wipe down all the equipment, but until now I wasn’t aware of the need to avoid ringworm,” said another.

“I disinfect my phone with alcohol wipes and wash my hands right after the gym. I’m so scared of catching something!!! No one wipes stuff in my gym,” someone else commented.

“I got ringworm from my gym mats a while ago, it sucked! Definitely bring wipes and sanitizer if you can because some gyms don’t keep up like they should,” another added.

The Daily Dot reached out to Nguyen for comment via TikTok message and email.

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