All of your go-to gym equipment is dirtier than a toilet, apparently.
A new study by FitRated has revealed just how filthy our gyms are – and all the equipment your using? Well, it’s covered with germs.
After gathering bacteria samples from 27 different pieces of equipment at three separate gyms, FitRated found that your average free weight contains 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. They also found that exercise bikes have 39 times more bacteria than a plastic, reusable cafeteria tray, and a treadmill is 74 times dirtier than a water faucet.
Considering the number of people who go to the gym every day, it doesn’t really come as any surprise that the equipment isn’t spotless. But 362 times more dirtier than a toilet? That’s just gross.
And it’s not just the bacteria we need to worry about, either – it’s the type.
The study found that half of the bacteria found on free weights at the gym are harmful to humans and can be resistant to antibiotics. While over 52 per cent of the bacteria on treadmills can cause skin infections, pneumonia and septicimia – and 42 per cent of the bacteria on exercise bikes do the same.
Overal, 72 per cent of the bacteria found on the studied equipment were harmful to humans.
So, how do you avoid it?
FitRated said in their study (although let’s hope most of us already do this):
Be sure to disinfect machines both before and after you use them, never walk around barefoot, don’t touch your face, and always wash your hands and change out of your gym clothes immediately after a workout.
Maybe think twice before renewing your gym membership this year and invest in some home exercise equipment instead.
