Flu season is officially here, and while most of us are focused on boosting immunity with healthy diets and exercise, we often overlook the hidden culprits sabotaging our health.

If you’re a regular gym-goer, you might unknowingly be exposing yourself to a host of germs and bacteria lurking in your fitness space.

While hitting the gym is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, research shows that gyms can also be breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and viruses that can wreak havoc on your immune system, especially during flu season.

The hidden health hazards in your gym

Most people are shocked when they learn what's actually making them ill at the gym,” says Sol Scheinmann, the founder of Pilates Matters. “As a fitness professional, I've identified several overlooked culprits that contribute to illness among regular gym-goers.”

Below, Scheinmann shares eight commonly ignored items and habits that might be compromising your health during workouts.

1. Your unwashed water bottle

That trusty reusable water bottle you carry everywhere might be more harmful than you think. Studies have found that reusable bottles can harbour over 300,000 colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria per square centimetre, more germs than a toilet seat!

Bacteria thrive in moist environments, and if you’re refilling your bottle without washing it properly, you’re essentially drinking from a bacteria playground.

Combine this with the temporary suppression of your immune system after an intense workout, and you have a recipe for illness.

2. Dirty earbuds

Your workout playlist might keep you motivated, but your earbuds could be introducing harmful bacteria directly into your ear canal. Sweat, earwax, and oils create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, leading to infections like swimmers’ ear.

3. The gym bag you never clean

Gym bags are often damp, dark, and filled with sweaty clothes, all ideal conditions for bacteria and fungi to thrive. These germs can transfer to your clean workout gear and even cause skin infections.

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Is your gym routine a germ magnet? Stay fit and flu-free this season