There is a strain of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA that is now reported to be surfacing in gyms. According to a story in the New York Times, a staph bacterium usually associated with hospitals and nursing homes, has been surfacing in other settings.

If you don’t want to catch this deadly staph infection which cannot be treated by antibiotics then you don’t want to share towels or razors.  You should also avoid skin-to-skin contact when playing sports. Places to be careful around in the gym include the grips of exercise machines and the spouts at drinking fountains.  Buy a bottle of water to drink instead.