Toxic Exercise Gear?

Many of us are worried about our health, so we take steps to improve it. We drink more water, we buy special equipment, and we take steps to get more exercise. But there are hidden dangers lurking even in supposedly healthy items!

Some people have started eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, which is a good thing in itself. But they don’t take the time to shop for organic produce or wash their vegetables properly. This means that although their eating better quality food overall, they might actually be increasing the toxins they’re putting into their bodies.

More people are starting to drink water. That’s great, since sodas and other sugary drinks are very bad for you, and can contain chemicals that can cause all sorts of health issues. But if they’re storing their water in polycarbonate plastic bottles, they could be ingesting BPA, a dangerous chemical.

Others are buying used exercise equipment from garage sales, thrift stores, and through classified ads and auction websites. But many people do not think to look for product safety recalls before buying.

Exercise equipment is often the subject of recalls because it is used in such an active way. If one particular part on a piece of machinery is defective, the entire machine could break and cause serious injury.

Always be sure to check for recalls before you buy a used piece of exercise equipment. Before you take steps to improve your health, always check to be sure you’re taking appropriate steps. You don’t want to unknowingly do something that could make your health worse in the long run.

Fitness equipment is something a lot of people buy because they want to improve their health, but they fail to realize that sometimes it can actually be dangerous.

You should always thoroughly research anything you buy, so you can be sure you’re getting something that isn’t likely to hurt you.

Let’s look at a few ways you can protect yourself:

• Check reviews before you buy. Many websites have reviews for all sorts of products, and you should always check these sites for user reviews before you make a purchase. Users will be able to tell you if the construction is shoddy, or if there are hidden dangers in the product. If a particular product has no reviews, it may be too new. Check older models that are similar, because they may be made in a very similar way.
• Ask your doctor or fitness trainer for recommendations. Most doctors or fitness trainers would be happy to recommend safe, effective equipment to you. And their opinions will be less biased that someone in a store who might be working on commission.
• Check for recalls. If you’re buying used equipment it’s especially important to check for safety recalls. Older equipment may have been recalled due to defects in the parts or other reasons, so you should always do a search for the product name online to see if there have been any known recalls. Don’t buy a product unless you know its model number so you can check for this.
• Online searches will also be able to tell you if products have been linked to any toxins, injuries, or other problems. If you don’t have the Internet to research, you can visit an Internet café or public library. Most libraries now have free computer access with the Internet. Some health items like Nalgene water bottles have come under fire recently for containing bisphenol-a (bpa), which is harmful when leached into drinking water. There are always alternatives to potentially harmful fitness products so it pays to do a little homework.

We seem to hear about toxins every day on the news, in newspapers, and in magazines. Our bodies are riddled with toxins that we ingest via an endless variety of products, but you don't expect to find it in your fitness equipment!

Sodas, produce that’s been sprayed with chemicals, toxins in the water, medications, and many other products contain harmful chemicals that build up in our bodies and cause diseases.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a toxic chemical that is found in polycarbonate plastics. This is the type of plastic that is used to make many types of water bottles, including a lot of sports water bottles. It can cause miscarriages, birth defects, low sperm count, and even effects that are similar to the effects seen in the early stages of certain types of cancer!

It’s important to buy a BPA-free water bottle, no matter what type of sport you’re participating in. BPA is a dangerous chemical, and many government agencies in several countries have put it on watch lists, stating that it is cause for concern and should be studied further.

Bottles such as Camelbak's new BetterBottle and the Titan Water Bottle are made from Tritan plastic, which is 100% BPA-free and medical grade. Tritan has been found to be completely free of toxins and safe even for use by the medical community. If you want a water bottle that is completely free of toxins but still has the convenience and squeeze-ability of plastic, these are a great choice.

They’re very easy to use; the Titan comes with a built-in carabiner and one could be purchased for the Camelbak. They’re also very durable, and dishwasher safe. If you’re worried about toxic chemicals leaching into your water, you should definitely think about one of these bottles.