Gyms are a high-risk location for spreading coronavirus to other people or picking it up

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Gyms are a high-risk location for coronavirus to spread, doctor warns – saying ‘big blokes pumping away’ could be ‘super spreaders’

Fitness fanatics have been urged to be extra vigilant when exercising as gyms have been identified as ‘high risk’ locations for coronavirus to spread.

Dr Norman Swan, who is a medically qualified journalist, says gyms are the perfect place for the virus to spread because they are full of sweat.

Dampness is a bad thing for spreading germs. You’ve got these big blokes pumping away and you never know, one of them might be a super spreader,’ he told the ABC.

Fitness fanatics have been urged to be extra vigilant when exercising as gyms have been identified as ‘high risk’ locations for coronavirus to spread (stock image pictured)

‘It doesn’t mean you stop going to the gym, you’ve got to be super careful at the gym. You’ve got to make sure you wipe down (the equipment) before and after use.’

Dr Swan, who graduated in medicine from the University of Aberdeen, in Scotland, said people needed to make sure they were using hand-santiser while they worked out as well.

He urged people to avoid steam rooms because the room would not be hot enough to kill the germs.

‘I wouldn’t go near any humid area to be honest.’

Those who have symptoms, including coughing or sneezing, should avoid heading to the gym until they are well.

However, Dr David Thomas, a professor of medicine and director of the Division of Infection Diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told the New York Times, church-goers were more at risk than gym junkies.

Gym owners have been working to reduce skin-to-skin contact between clients and staff. They were also vigilant in disinfecting equipment, he said.

A map shows coronavirus cases in Australia

Whereas at churches, people are in close proximity and often shake hands.

Dr Norman Swan says gyms are the perfect place for the virus to spread because they are full of sweat (stock image pictured)

The warning comes as the number of cases of coronavirus around the world soared to 114,000 in 107 countries, with more than 4,200 recorded deaths.

More than 1,000 people were tested for coronavirus in Victoria on Tuesday, with the total confirmed cases in the state reaching 21.

There have been more than 8,100 people tested in New South Wales, which is Australia’s worst effected state with 61 cases.

On Tuesday hundreds of people lined streets waiting to be screened for coronavirus as testing centres around Australia.

Some patients said they are so frustrated with the testing process that they have given up and thrown themselves in self-quarantine.