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At Total Source Fitness, we live by the motto "GO HARD OR GO HOME"—but staying healthy also means being mindful of the cleanliness around you. Gyms are a breeding ground for bacteria, and a recent investigation revealed which pieces of equipment have the most germs.
So before you tackle your holiday season fitness goals, take a look at some surprising findings about gym equipment bacteria.
What the Numbers Say
An investigation swabbed equipment from three major gym chains, and here’s what they found:
Locker room floors: 39,196 CFUs
Exercise mats: 8,798 CFUs
Yoga balls: 1,068 CFUs
Barbells: 767 CFUs
Dumbbells: 653 CFUs
Elliptical machines: 207 CFUs
A CFU (colony-forming unit) is a measure of how many bacteria or fungi are present on a surface. These numbers represent how many bacterial colonies were found on each item during the investigation.
Which Surfaces Are the Worst?
Locker room floors: The biggest culprit, with more than 39,000 CFUs, the warm, moist environment creates the perfect space for bacteria to grow. Always wear flip-flops in the locker room to avoid exposure to fungi like athlete’s foot.
Exercise mats: The second worst, with almost 9,000 CFUs, mats get a lot of skin and face contact, making them a breeding ground for bacteria like staphylococcus. Consider bringing your own mat to stay safe.
Dumbbells and Barbells: Their textured grips make them harder to clean, allowing bacteria to hide. While these are essential to your workout, be sure to wipe them down thoroughly before and after each use.
Does Wiping Down Equipment Really Help?
Many people wipe down their equipment, but they may not be doing it properly. To truly kill bacteria, disinfectants need time to sit on the surface. Most people wipe them off too quickly, which can actually spread the bacteria rather than kill it.
How to Protect Yourself
Wipe down equipment properly: Let the disinfectant sit for the recommended time.
Bring your own mat: Especially for yoga or floor exercises.
Cover open cuts: Keep wounds covered to avoid infections like staph.
Wear flip-flops in the locker room: Never go barefoot in gym locker rooms or bathrooms.
At Total Source Fitness, our motto isn’t just about going hard in your workout—it's also about taking the extra step to keep yourself and your gym environment clean. "GO HARD OR GO HOME" means giving it your all, and that includes hygiene.
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