People go to the gym to get stronger and healthier, but the very equipment meant to help you reach those goals can also expose you to a surprising number of illness-causing germs.
“The few studies we have agree that some high-touch surfaces in gyms may have more germs than an average public toilet seat,” Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University, told HuffPost. “The bacteria found in gym surfaces can cause problems ranging from mild skin infections to pneumonia to septicemia. For viral particles, in most cases, people may get common cold or flu-like symptoms.”
To help gym-goers keep sickness at bay, we asked experts to break down the germiest areas and items in fitness centers and share their advice for protecting yourself from harmful microbes.
Yoga Mats
“I was involved in a study that looked at surfaces in gyms and found the germiest happen to be the ones that get used the most, like the mats,” said microbiologist Jason Tetro, aka “The Germ Guy.”
He explained that germs thrive based on how often something is touched, the size of the surface area, the pressure applied and the wetness of the skin and surface being touched..
“To reduce infection risks, bring personal items such as yoga mats, towels, and gloves to reduce contact with shared, hard-to-clean surfaces,” said Kelly Reynolds, a professor and chair of the Community, Environment and Policy Department at The University of Arizona’s Zuckerman College of Public Health.
Exercise Balls
The gym’s exercise balls are another hidden hot spot for infectious microbes.
“Exercise balls can harbor disease-causing bacteria and viruses,” Reynolds said. “These materials are often highly textured, making them difficult to disinfect.”
Khubchandani pointed to research highlighting the presence of germs on these balls.
“One study of 16 fitness facilities in Ohio found that more than a third of the surfaces tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus bacterium,” he said. “They found a high prevalence on weight balls.”
Barbells And Dumbbells
“Germs also tend to be on things you might not expect, like the bars of dumbbells and barbells,” Tetro said.
He added that these are high-touch surfaces where people tend to apply a lot of pressure with wet, sweaty hands.
“Free weights, dumbbells, barbells, and cardio machine handles are the germiest surfaces in a gym,” Reynolds said. “One study found cold viruses on more than half of gym equipment.”
Cardio Equipment Grips
The grips on treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes are another common culprit in the spread of germs.
“If they are not properly treated, the grips of the cardio equipment can quickly end up being a vector for transmission,” Tetro warned.
Shower Walls And Floors
Locker rooms may feel like a place for relief and relaxation after a sweaty workout, but they’re another high-risk zone.
“Even shower walls and floors may have mold, fungus and other bacteria, while one may assume that water would wash off germs,” Khubchandani said.
As noted, moisture actually promotes the growth of microbes, so be mindful of the surfaces you come into contact with as you recover from your workout.
“Locker rooms, showers and sauna floors create warm, moist microclimates that foster fungal and bacterial growth,” Reynolds said. “Don’t set gym bags on dirty floors. Wear flip-flops in locker rooms and showers to prevent fungal infection transmission.”
Machine Buttons
As with the grips of treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and other equipment, the buttons on these machines are not as clean as they might look.
“Exercise machine buttons create small touchpoint areas that are frequently contacted, easily contaminated, but rarely cleaned,” Reynolds noted.
Water Fountains
Even hydration stations aren’t immune from disease-spreading microorganisms.
“Water fountains can be easily contaminated between users, and even personal water bottles may become vessels for germ transmission if they are not properly cleaned and sanitized,” Reynolds said. “Keep water bottles clean, especially lids and spouts.”
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Yoga mats might be hiding tons of germs.
How To Prevent The Spread Of Germs At The Gym
It’s to be expected that an environment like the gym would be teeming with germs, but fortunately, there are ways to reduce your personal infection risks.
“Wipe down equipment before and after use with EPA-approved disinfectant wipes or spray containers,” Reynolds advised. “Be sure to keep the surfaces wet for as long as possible to increase the contact time needed to kill germs.”
She recommended choosing to work out at gyms that provide proper cleaning routines and accessible sanitizers.
“You want to be sure that transient species are killed or removed before you touch the surface,” Tetro noted. “The best approach is what I call the 3W approach ― wet, wait, wipe. You add the disinfectant to the surface, you wait for the contact time and then you wipe it off.”
Pay attention to your own potential germs as well to reduce the spread of infection at your fitness center.
“Watch for any signs of infection and flu-like symptoms, cover open wounds, and practice [the] highest level of hygiene,” Khubchandani advised. “Frequently, we are also the victims of the behaviors of others, so clean surfaces before using them.”
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the gym.
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“Avoid touching your face during workouts to prevent hand-to-face transfer of pathogens,” Reynolds said. “Cover open wounds to prevent bacteria like Staph from entering. Stay home when feeling ill to avoid spreading pathogens to others. Don’t share personal items like towels or razors.”
When possible, make use of outdoor areas or work out in the most well-ventilated spots.
“Schedule workouts during less crowded hours to avoid peak contamination periods,” Reynold suggested. “While gyms are not sterile environments, risks are probably no higher than in any public space and can be significantly reduced through consistent hygiene habits.”
