The Germiest Places at the Gym and How to Protect Yourself

Gyms contain numerous high-touch surfaces that, experts say, can harbor bacteria and viruses capable of causing skin infections, respiratory illness and other conditions — sometimes in greater numbers than an average public toilet seat.

Researchers and public-health specialists interviewed for a HuffPost report identified yoga mats, exercise balls, free weights and the grips and buttons on cardio machines among the germiest spots in fitness facilities. They urged gym-goers to adopt cleaning and personal-hygiene practices to limit exposure.

"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. He said bacteria found on gym surfaces can cause problems ranging from mild skin infections to pneumonia and septicemia, and that viral particles are most likely to produce cold- or flu-like symptoms.

Microbiologist Jason Tetro, who publishes as "The Germ Guy," said the germiest surfaces are those used most frequently and under conditions that favor transfer: wet skin, direct pressure and large contact area. "The mats," he said, "happen to be the ones that get used the most." Kelly Reynolds, professor and chair of the Community, Environment and Policy Department at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health, recommended bringing personal items such as yoga mats, towels and gloves to avoid contact with shared, hard-to-clean surfaces.

Multiple studies cited by experts point to widespread contamination. One study of 16 fitness facilities in Ohio found more than a third of tested surfaces positive for Staphylococcus aureus, with a high prevalence on weight balls. Another study detected cold viruses on more than half of gym equipment tested. Experts said free weights, barbells and cardio machine handles are particularly prone to contamination because users often grip them with sweaty hands and apply pressure that transfers microbes.

Locker rooms and shower areas also create conditions that promote microbial growth. "Even shower walls and floors may have mold, fungus and other bacteria," Khubchandani said. Reynolds added that warm, moist microclimates in locker rooms, showers and saunas foster fungal and bacterial growth and advised wearing flip-flops and avoiding setting gym bags on dirty floors to prevent fungal transmission.

Hydration stations and water-fountain spouts can be contaminated between users, and personal water bottles can become vectors if lids and spouts are not cleaned, Reynolds said. Small touchpoints such as machine buttons are frequently contacted and often overlooked during cleaning, increasing the potential for transmission.

To reduce personal risk, experts recommended several proven steps. Wiping down equipment before and after use with EPA-approved disinfectant wipes or sprays is important, Reynolds said, and users should follow labeled contact times by making sure surfaces stay wet long enough to kill microbes. Tetro described a "3W" approach — wet, wait, wipe — in which a disinfectant is applied, allowed to sit for the required contact time, then wiped away.

Personal-hygiene measures include thorough handwashing before and after workouts, avoiding face touching during exercise to reduce hand-to-face transfer, and covering open wounds to prevent bacteria such as Staphylococcus from entering. Reynolds advised not sharing personal items like towels or razors and to stay home when ill to avoid spreading pathogens to others.

In addition to individual actions, experts encouraged gym patrons to choose facilities with clear and consistent cleaning routines and accessible sanitizers, work out in well-ventilated or outdoor areas when possible, and schedule workouts during less-crowded hours to limit exposure to high-touch surfaces.

While the presence of microbes in gyms is to be expected, specialists said consistent hygiene habits and routine cleaning can significantly reduce infection risk. "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," Reynolds said.

Public-health officials continue to monitor the role of environmental surfaces in spreading infectious agents. For now, experts say a combination of facility cleaning, personal equipment, proper disinfectant use and basic hygiene remains the most reliable strategy to limit transmission in fitness settings.