Germs in Gyms: Is Your Workout Actually Making You Sick?

Germs in Gyms: Is Your Workout Actually Making You Sick?

Many people, surprisingly, have made it to March and are still honoring their New Year’s resolution to work out. They are devoted to a healthy lifestyle, but truthfully, there are germs all over the gym, often in overlooked spots that threaten to make them sick.

“Nobody ever cleans the dumbbells and the dumbbell racks, for example,” said Bradley Kemp, CEO of Anago Cleaning Systems’ Phoenix franchise, which cleans over a dozen gyms. “Feel free to use them but make sure to use hand sanitizer, try not to touch your face during your workout, and wash your hands with warm water and soap immediately after the workout.”

The spray bottles in the gym? Some cleaning agents don’t kill germs on equipment for 5-10 minutes.  Alcohol-based sprays will kill germs in as little as 10 seconds, so treadmills and most equipment tend to be cleaner, but it’s important to be vigilant, especially in the winter months.

Gym rats should know the hot spots, protect yourself, and ask the manager “Who cleans this gym?” Anago Cleaning Systems keeps gym rats healthy in hundreds of gyms internationally.