Talk about getting down and dirty.
The start of the new year means more people are heading to the gym and picking up weights — and increasing their risk of picking up and spreading germs.
The results aren’t pretty. New research found pesky little bacteria lurking under fingernails long after the end of a workout.
Fingernail swabs from four individuals who had completed an hour-long workout showed bacteria levels up to 10 times dirtier than the average toilet seat, according to a lab study from the sports betting site Stake.
The results revealed a plethora of germs, including staphylococcus, enterococcus, bacillus and E. coli, which can cause skin infections, rashes and more.
These likely stem from using the same equipment and sweaty mats as hundreds of other gym-goers.
Even if your fingernails look clean after training, they could still be harboring more than 15,000 colony-forming units per swab — levels that exceed an airplane tray table.
No need to cancel your gym membership, though. Personal trainer Lee Mitchell shared the top five mistakes that lead to those microscopic health hazards.
Leaving equipment dirty
You’ve just finished a sweaty set on an exercise bench. Before you move on to your next exercise, give the bench and any other equipment you used a quick cleanup.
Not only do the microscopic microbes left behind thrive in warm, sweaty environments, but they can also linger on surfaces for hours.
Mitchell told The Post you should “always disinfect equipment before and after use with sprays and wipes.”
After cleaning the equipment, wait about two minutes for the cleanser to properly kill bacteria, Melanie McNeal, physical and occupational therapy manager at the Baylor College of Medicine, previously told The Post.
Touching your face
While it’s tempting to wipe away sweat from your face or eyes during a tough session, resist the urge.
This is also true if you’re trying to avoid a cold after someone sneezes or coughs on you, as this can spread germs faster by exposing them to your ears, eyes, nose and mouth.
“Each touch can transfer germs directly from your hands to sensitive areas,” Mitchell said. “Keep a clean towel handy.”
Sharing personal items
We’ve been told it’s nice to share, but sharing germs isn’t very nice since sweat, skin cells and microbes can linger on shared items.
“Lending or borrowing towels, gloves or water bottles is a fast track for germs to move between people,” Mitchell said.
Use your own gear and don’t loan it out to protect yourself and everyone around you.
Keeping nails long
Apologies to those who love long nails.
Leaving fingernails long provides a perfect hiding spot for bacteria, yeast and even traces of E. coli — especially when in warm gym environments that foster sweat and humidity.
Trimming your nails and cleaning under the cuticles regularly with a small brush can stop germs from growing and spreading.
Not washing your hands
Another key tip to kill germs and prevent colds or infections is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t have immediate access to a sink? Carry hand sanitizer to keep hands clean on the go, Mitchell advises.
And if you do a full wash after your workout, wear flip-flops, as gym showers are notorious breeding grounds for mold, fungi and other bacteria that can infect feet.
