For many people a trip to the gym is part of daily life but with fears surrounding the spread of coronavirus escalating, it has become yet another source of concern.
Medical experts and popular gym chains have been speaking about the risks and steps being taken to protect customers.
Speaking on the ABC's Coronacast - a podcast dedicated to answering questions about the coronavirus - Dr Norman Swan, a physician and journalist, identified gyms as "high risk" locations for the disease to spread.
When asked how likely someone is to contract coronavirus in a gym, Swan said: "You have to say it is spreading and to say it is not [spreading] is burying your head in the sand.
"One of the high prevalence areas from some of the Chinese data are gyms."
The medical expert continued by explaining that gyms are the perfect place for the virus to spread because they are often humid.
"Dampness is a bad thing for spreading germs so you want to swab those surfaces down," he said.
Norman added that while there is no evidence of coronavirus being spread through sweat, transmission can occur if someone with the virus coughs or sneezes onto their hands and then touches surfaces, such as gym equipment.
Because of this, he suggested that hygiene standards must be increased during workouts.
"You've got to make sure you wipe down (the equipment) before and after use," Norman said, "Don't take any chances in the gym."
Alternatively, people who are still concerned could consider exercising outdoors.
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