It’s a new year! You know what that means?

TONS of people at the gym.

Do you know what else that means?

TONS of germs at the gym.

When you’re trying to stay fit with cystic fibrosis, germs and the gym do not mix.

Especially when you figure that germs can travel up to 6 feet through the air, courtesy of sneezes and coughs. Plus, they’re persistent little buggers. They can hang around for hours just waiting for you to take a breath so they can settle in your lungs.

Basically, germs are jerks.

And when you’re at the gym, the last thing you want to worry about is if this workout is going to land you in the hospital with a severe lung infection. Your biggest worries at the gym should be about not looking like an idiot in Zumba, or making sure you don’t drop weights on yourself.

So, how can you navigate the germ-y gym?

Here are our 5 favorite tips:

1. Keep It Clean!

Whether it’s your mat, machine (ellipticals, treadmills, stair climbers), or equipment (hand weights, kettleballs, yoga blocks), make sure you wipe it down with an alcohol solution before and after you use it.

2. Know Your Surroundings

Be aware of anyone who’s sneezing or coughing, and keep your distance! Remember, germs can travel up to 6 feet. If you can, try not to use the same equipment they’ve used. Germs are tenacious!

This rule doubly applies if you know of anyone else in your gym or class who also has CF. I’m sure you know the standard protocol: people with CF should keep a 6 foot distance from each other. While it sucks, it’s a good way to keep yourself and your fellow CF-ers from catching something.

3. Practice Good Hygiene

Everyone was taught the importance of washing your hands, and that’s extra important at the gym! Nothing removes germs better than soap and water, but hand sanitizer will work in a pinch. So, remember to always wash your hands after touching anything in the gym…or a least give your hands a good slathering of hand sanitizer after you walk out the door.

4. Speak Up

Don’t hesitate to tell instructors or trainers at the gym that you have CF. Granted, this definitely depends on your comfort level telling others about your diagnosis, and your comfort level with your instructors/trainers. But having another person to look out for you and make sure things are clean is a huge help!

5. Don’t Forget About Vaccines

Make sure you stay up-to-date with all of your vaccines. They’re a great way to help your body build up immunity to potentially serious infections, like the flu. But don’t just stop there! Friends and family should also get their vaccines to make sure they’re not spreading germs, too.

Spread the word (and not the germs) about gym hygiene!