It's mid-October and there's a chill in the air. Days are shorter. Frost blankets car windshields, leaves blanket the sidewalks, and most of us pull out the blankets that we packed away for the summer.

If you're a hardy soul, this is about when time you pull out your high-performance fleece, gloves, and snowshoes to keep exercising outside.

For you're a weather wimp, like me, it means you're headed back to the gym.

I usually return to my spin classes right about now, which means that a few times a week, I sweat like crazy in very cramped quarters with 30 other people who are also committed to sweating like crazy.

Good workouts usually mean that everyone is red-faced and soaked with sweat. Because of the fans, I'm pretty sure that it flies all over the room. It's not exactly sanitary.

That's why reading an article about how germs are spread at the gym made me a little nervous. Especially as we move into cold and flu season.

I'm pretty good about following most of the recommendations. Comprehensive lists are posted at About.com and ABC News. These include:

• Wiping down the machines and equipment with antiseptic cloths.
• Taking your own yoga mat and towel
  
• Showering with flip flops.

But in the spin room, I'm pretty sure that all bets are off. Realistically, there's no way to avoid contact with other people's perspiration.

I'm just going to tell myself that working out is ultimately healthier. And I'm going to try very hard not to let the thought of germy conditions become an excuse to skip class.