When it comes to gym etiquette, there’s plenty of advice about what to wear and what to leave at home.
But according to jewelers, fitness professionals and medical experts, there’s one item you should always remove before hitting the weights: your wedding or engagement ring.
While it might feel unnatural to leave it at home, keeping it on could cause issues like bacteria build-up, injury, or damage to your ring.
The impact to your ring
Makayla Donovan, co-founder of TMC Fine Jewellers, emphasized the importance of removing your ring at the gym, even if it’s sentimental.
“Lifting weights, using resistance equipment, or even doing high-intensity movements can put unnecessary stress on your ring,” she told news.com.au.
“Over time, this can lead to misshaping, scratching, or loosening of stones. It’s just not worth the risk, especially with precious metals like gold, which are softer and prone to bending or marking under pressure.”
Sweat, dirt, and bacteria that build up at the gym can also dull the ring’s finish over time.
“It’s something many people overlook, but grime can easily accumulate and go unnoticed, particularly with rings featuring intricate settings,” she said.
It could affect your workout
Ben Lucas, co-founder of Flow Athletic, agrees and points out that it could have consequences for your workout as well.
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If a ring spins around on your finger, it can become uncomfortable during certain exercises, he explained.
“This sometimes happens when you’re in a plank position, such as plank dumbbell rows or during yoga,” he said.
“You might also cut your hand if you’re unlucky, and get blisters from pinching or circulation issues too.”
The potential health risks
Following this, Dr Zac, a leading GP, warns that wearing your ring at the gym could land you in the ER.
“When you’re lifting weights, gripping bars, or doing high-intensity workouts, your ring acts like a friction device,” he said. “Constant rubbing between your ring and sweaty skin can cause ring rash (also called wedding ring dermatitis).”
This is a type of contact dermatitis often triggered by trapped moisture, friction, and dead skin build-up.
And if you’re not yet convinced, it gets even more alarming.
Studies have shown that rings can harbour up to 730 million bacteria, including dangerous strains like Staphylococcus aureus.
That’s the same bug that causes golden staph infections, some of which are antibiotic-resistant and can be life-threatening.
“If you happen to get a micro-tear in your skin, which is common during workouts, it could be the perfect entry point for infection,” he added.
There’s also the risk of allergic reactions to metals, especially if your ring is made from nickel or low-quality alloys.
And if you’re still unconvinced, Dr Zac suggests Googling ‘ring avulsion injury’ at your own risk.
“It’s when the ring gets caught on gym equipment or a weight and rips off the skin or even degloves the finger,” he warned.
So, what should you do instead?
All the experts recommend leaving your wedding ring at home or in a safe place during your workout.
If sentimentality matters, consider a silicone band, which is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and designed to break away safely under pressure.
If you really can’t bear to take it off, training gloves provide some protection, but the safest option is to leave your rings at home.
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