Sure, you probably go to the gym to lift weights or run on the treadmill (if the latter, check out the best treadmill workouts to try). But have you ever considered how uncomfortable gym equipment can be? One study looked into this and found some pretty gruesome results. However, this study was done before the coronavirus pandemic, so hopefully the equipment at your local gym has been more thoroughly sterilized.

This study by FitRated.com analyzed bacterial samples of 27 common types of gym equipment at three different gyms to determine which exercise equipment you might use was the most unsanitary. The most unsanitary were exercise bikes, treadmills, and free weights.

The researchers found that treadmills had the highest amount of bacteria - a score of 1,333,432 colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch. This is 74 times the bacteria count of a public water tap in the park. (If this puts you off, here's the best treadmill you can install in your home.)

Next up was the exercise bike, with a total score of 1,333,418 CFU. This is 39 times the bacteria on a plastic reusable cafeteria tray. This is 362 times the 3,200 CFU on the average toilet seat. (This results in a toilet seat having 362 times more bacteria than the 3,200 CFU of the average toilet seat. （) "If these results make you want to do your exercises at home, here's an exercise bike and adjustable dumbbells for more hygienic exercises.

A little dirt is okay, right? However, researchers found that all three types of gym equipment have "gram-positive cocci," which can cause skin infections. There are also gram-negative rods, which can cause a variety of infections and sometimes resist antibiotics. The exercise bike and free weight samples also contained bacilli that can cause ear, eye, and respiratory infections.

Of course, we are not trying to discourage people from going to the gym. Rather, this study sheds light on what we already know: the gym is a breeding ground for bacteria. To stay safe at the gym, the study's researchers recommend the following:

Wash your hands after touching equipment. Simple enough, right? But don't forget to wash your hands before you touch your face in the gym.

Disinfect equipment before and after use. Gyms should have disinfecting equipment available, and this is one of the best ways to stay safe.

Never walk barefoot. This is important for many safety reasons, but also to protect your feet from harmful viruses.

Change gym clothes immediately after a workout. It may sound simple, but if you go to the gym at noon and stay in your gym clothes until you get home in the evening, leaving your sweaty clothes on is not good for your skin, especially if they are covered in harmful bacteria.