In last week's post about cold and flu season, we realized that we omitted discussing Pilates and yoga classes.

Hot yoga (Bikram yoga) is a particularly conducive breeding ground for viruses, but even classes held in cooler rooms (Astanga yoga, Hatha yoga, and Pilates) can get you get sick. We think the benefits of these fitness activities outweigh the risks of catching a cold or a flu (check with your doctor to be sure), but a little prudence can go a long way.

In particular, we strongly advocate that everyone buy their own mat. Both yoga and Pilates can require people to lie on mat and given the number of people that are likely to use a gym's mat….well you get the picture. Plus, the cost of a mat is less than a doctor's visit and medication. Toss in missed time from work, days of feeling terrible, and trash cans filled with Kleenex, and suddenly owing your own mat makes a lot of economic sense.

We personally own Wai Lana's Yoga & Pilates Mat and swear by it. It's more than sticky enough to do balancing poses and soft enough to protect our knees from the wood floors. It is also thicker than most mats commonly provided at gyms and studios. As an added bonus, we've gotten lots of compliments on the appearance of our mat (we own an orange one).

In addition to owning a mat, buying straps, blocks, and/or a Pilates Ball not the large BalanceBall, but the smaller ball used for ab work). All of these are pretty inexpensive.

Finally, bring your own blanket to class. It's just more sanitary. Any blanket that you have a preference for will do the job.

Keep in mind that none of these tips will guarantee that you won't catch a cold or the flu, but these small steps will help reduce your risk. During cold and flu season, a little prudence can go a long way.