Join Michele and Tony in their Fight!

Join Michele and Tony in their Fight!
Written by Michele Vieux

I remember seeing a poster on the Underground I was riding in London, claiming a sneeze can travel the length of the car I was in and just then, a man in front of me sneezed without covering his mouth and nose, spraying the entire car in front (and possibly behind) him. In his defense, we were tearing through the tunnels beneath the city and he was holding onto the ceiling strap for dear life with one hand and his briefcase in the other which brings me to another point. If he HAD covered his mouth and nose it probably would have been with the ceiling strap hand, meaning he would have regripped it with snot and germs all over it. Either way, contamination occurs.

Disgusting, eh? Well, unfortunately this is a common occurrence in all public areas – including our gym, especially during this time of year when the cold and flu germs and viruses are running rampant. Don’t be “that guy”; join Tony and me in the fight against the cold and flu!

You may have noticed my note on the back whiteboard and wondered, “Who is Tony?” Well, Tony is a member here at Invictus and we are on the same page in wanting to remind you to wipe down your equipment after use so you don’t spread your germs to everyone (especially us).

Here are some things you can do to help stop the spread of the cold and flu:

1. DO NOT WORKOUT WHEN YOU ARE SICK! Yes, sometimes breaking a sweat can help you flush bad stuff out of your body, but if you decide to go this route, please do it on a leisurely jog outside. Do not bring it into the gym for others to contract. You are not a hero for pushing through and getting in your workout.
2. Wash your hands before and after touching the equipment – the same equipment that has been touched by 300 other people that day. Same goes for handling money, shopping carts, and other items that hundreds of people touch every day. A good washing job means pretty darn warm water + soap + at least 30 seconds of scrubbing + drying with a disposable towel or blowing air.
3. Wash down your equipment. There are sanitary supplies provided for this purpose. If we are out, let one of the staff know so it can be replenished.
4. Wash your hands before and after preparing food, eating, going to the bathroom, putting in your contacts, touching other people’s hands and faces, etc.
5. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (preferably into your elbow/upper arm) but if you go for the hands immediately wash them before touching anything, including the handle on the bathroom door or sink.
6. Wash your water bottle daily. Don’t share water bottles.
7. Drink lots of water and bump up your immune-enhancing supplements like Vitamins C & D and Zinc.
8. Get plenty of rest.

See a common theme? Yep. Hand washing/equipment washing is key. I’m not saying you should go OCD, but be aware of what you touch and what might be on your hands. Together (you, me & Tony) we can win the war – down with germs!