Humans have trillions of microbes on and in their bodies and shed them constantly. Luckily, most of these microbes don’t make us sick, says Andy Brader, microbiology instructor at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences.

Problems arise when bacteria get into areas where they shouldn’t be. For example, strep and staph live on our skin. If they get under the skin, through a cut, they can cause infection, which can become serious.

Also, there are issues with fungal pathogens like athlete’s foot and ringworm, which love damp environments.

And germs from our gastrointestinal tract can cause problems like diarrhea when they’re exposed to a new area of the body.

Germs come from us, so any place with a lot of traffic, including gyms, will have a lot of microbes, Brader says. Busy, wet spaces like a locker room, shower or sauna, are a breeding ground for germs. That includes gym equipment and mats.

This doesn’t mean you need to be a germaphobe. Brader shared these tips to protect yourself during and after a workout:

1. Try to avoid sharing items that don’t need to be shared, like mats.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Wipe down equipment before and after use. When using a cleaner, the more time a cleaner is on the surface, the better.
4. Shower as soon as you can after using the gym. Use shower footwear if using the shower in the gym.
5. Don’t keep dirty clothes in your gym bag. Air out equipment that you used that day.

In terms of yoga – yoga mats in a busy studio or gym can be breeding grounds for germs. “Sliding a yoga mat into a bag would transfer bacteria and fungus to the bag” states Andy Brader, microbiologist. And many people do not clean their mats as thoroughly as they should. Therefore, every time you put the yoga mat in the bag, you expose it to the same germs.
Note: Lancaster Newspapers Online article, Staff Writer Erin Negley, September 9, 2018 http://bit.ly/ThePureBag

Follow these tips and check out ThePureBag® Yoga Bags that provide a level of protection against microorganisms and germs at the gym. Don’t let germs stop you from exercising! See our selection of yoga bags and yoga accessories on our website and invest in your health!

Being an instructor or owner of a yoga studio is wonderful – you get to hold classes for people who are as passionate about yoga and living a healthy lifestyle as you. However, part of living a healthy lifestyle is protecting yourself from germs and bacteria, and the heat and sweat in every yoga class can put that healthy lifestyle in jeopardy. By enforcing these five policies in your yoga studio, you will be able to minimize the spread of germs:

1. Take off your shoes. While yoga is most commonly performed without shoes on, take it a step further and don’t allow shoes onto the wood surface where the class is held. Shoes can drag in dirt, fecal matter, and other germs that will latch onto a person’s skin and make him or her sick.
2. Bring your own mat. We’ve talked about this one before. Once germs and bacteria make their way into a mat, they can survive there for weeks to months. Combine that with the sweaty yoga studio environment, and yoga mats could be hazardous to your health. Make sure you ask students to always bring their own mats and store them in a durable yoga bag.
3. Zero sickness policy. Many people try to soldier on when they are sick, which is commendable. But when it comes to a group setting like yoga class, it’s best to stay at home. Make sure you spread the word that your studio has a zero sickness policy to prevent the spread of germs to other students.
4. Sanitize hands. Even if you do your best to make your studio a germ-free zone, there will still be a chance for catching germs. Put hand sanitizer near the entrance and exit of the classroom as well as in the bathrooms. Also, ensure there’s always antibacterial soap in all the bathrooms to eliminate the risk of getting sick. 
5. Add cleaning to class time. Rather than saying namaste and packing up to go home, add cleaning to the end of your class. Ask people to wipe down their mats and the area they occupied during the class. Carving out that time will make more people take the necessary precautions for fighting back against germs.

By being more cognizant about germs, you can make your yoga studio a safe haven to keep your students healthy. For added protection, buy yourself a germ-resistant, durable yoga bag from our shop! We’ve always got germ protection on the brain, so we created our line of products with you in mind. Check them out here.

We’re looking forward to collaborating with our friends at Athleta! Visit us at Athleta Newtown Monday, January 14 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. | 43 South State Street, Newtown, PA 18940

Meet Jessica, ThePureBag™ Marketing Director and learn how ThePureBag™ hypo-microbial style products help protect your gear + your personal space from germs and other gross stuff!  Stop by to see Nature and Zen Metal Collections and sign up for multiple give-ways!

Revolution Power Yoga @revolutionpoweryoga

Friday, December 14 at 8 am to 12:30

101 Fawcett Rd, Avon, CO 81620

Meet Jessica, ThePureBag™ Marketing Director and learn how ThePureBag™ hypo-microbial style products help protect your gear + your personal space from germs and other gross stuff!  Stop by to see Nature and Zen Metal Collections and sign up for multiple give-ways!

Pura Vida Spa and Fitness @puravidafitnessandspa

Wednesday, December 5 from

2955 East 1st Ave., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80206

We’re looking forward to collaborating with our friends at Athleta!
Visit us at Athleta Center City next Sat, Dec 8 from 12 noon to 4 pm
1724 Walnut Street I Philadelphia, PA 19103

ThePureBag was feature don CBS Philly’s Fall Active Fashion Wear segment on Thursday, October 11!

Watch the full clip below.

Keep an eye out for ThePureBag on CBS Philly’s Fall Active Fashion Wear segment on Thursday, October 11 at 12:00 p.m.!