Why You Should Always Remove Your Wedding Ring Before Working Out

Fitness studio visitors often wear smartwatches and trendy sneakers, but experts say there's one item you should always take off before exercising: your wedding ring or engagement ring. Neil Ditta from Angelic Diamonds warns that wearing rings during sports can trap sweat, dirt, and bacteria, leading to skin irritations, infections, and even serious injuries. Gyms are already hotspots for germs, and a recent survey found that 66% of ring owners never clean their jewelry, exacerbating the problem. Rings can get scratched, bent, or dulled by contact with weights and equipment. Even diamonds can chip, especially during high-intensity workouts like CrossFit or HIIT. Exercise can also cause fingers to swell, making rings painfully tight or difficult to remove. In extreme cases, a ring can get caught on a piece of equipment and cause a severe injury affecting the skin, tendons, or bones. Given the additional risk of losing the ring due to sweaty hands and vigorous movements, experts advise taking off the ring before hitting the gym.