6 Health Risks to Avoid at the Gym

You go to the gym to work out -- and that's a good way to maintain or improve your fitness. But you also need to take care of yourself while you're there.

There are plenty of ways you can risk your health at the gym, from infection to injury. Here are six gym health risks -- and ways to avoid those problems.

Risk: Unqualified Staff

Does your personal trainer have a degree and/or certificate? Or did he pay a nominal fee and take a brief online test and presto, he's a fitness instructor? 

"Yes, that can happen," says Sherri McMillan, MSc, a spokeswoman for the IDEA Health and Fitness Association and a personal trainer at Northwest Personal Training & Northwest Women's Fitness Club in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. "There are people out there who call themselves personal fitness trainers and instructors with minimal, outdated, or no qualifications."

Avoiding the Risk

Ask to see certificates and degrees and ensure they are current, McMillan advises. Certifying organizations include the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Specialists may have specific certificates, such as those offered by the Pilates Method Alliance for Pilates instructors. McMillan also recommends asking about recent workshops or conferences your fitness pro has attended to make sure they're staying current in the field.

It's also important to make sure team members are certified in CPR/fitness first aid and automated external defibrillator (AED), a portable electronic device that can treat sudden cardiac arrest. Make sure the gym staff knows where the first aid kit and AED are located, McMillan says.

Risk: Equipment Malfunction

Hundreds of people may use your gym's equipment every day. That can cause wear and tear to the equipment, which could lead to malfunction -- and risks to you. 

Avoiding the Risk

Ask the gym staff how often equipment is assessed and repaired, and speak up if you see something that's broken. "If you notice cables starting to fray or any piece of equipment that doesn't seem to be operating correctly or effectively, stop using it and report the issue to a staff member," McMillan says.

Risk: Improper Exercise Selection and/or Form

Choosing the wrong exercises and/or using improper form is one of the most common hazards in the gym, says Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS, FACSM, president of Inspire Training Systems and a spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine. "Just because an exercise is 'Mr. Olympia's' favorite' does not mean it is a good choice for you. Couple this philosophy with not asking for professional help from a personal trainer, and you are ripe for a mishap that will land you at the neighborhoodorthopaedist."

Avoiding the Risk

"Know your limits," McMillan says. "You know your body better than anyone." If you have special risks or conditions -- such as a bad back, high blood pressure, recent surgery -- tell your trainer so they can tailor your exercise program to your individual needs.