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How Dirty Is Gym Equipment?

Trending News: Typical Free Weights Have 362x More Bacteria Than A Toilet Seat

Why Is This Important?

Because, gross.

Long Story Short

Your local gym is one of the dirtiest places you'll visit today, according to the website FitRated. Free weights are contaminated with up to 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, and a treadmill holds 74 times more bacteria than the average washroom faucet, among other really nasty facts.

Long Story

While the gym is the go-to place to improve your fitness, health and boost your self-esteem, it may be one of the grossest and dirtiest places you're ever going to visit. Truth be told, the griminess of a public washroom doesn't even compare to the filth you'd find in your average gym.

FitRated, a site that reviews fitness equipment, just finished examining germs at the gym by swabbing 27 pieces of gym equipment at three different gyms, to see just how much bacteria is lingering around while you're breaking a sweat. The tested samples were used to determine bacteria levels based on colony-forming units, and the results are quite horrifying.


The bacteria samples show that typical free weights contain up to 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. It's pretty shocking but, at the same time, when was the last time you saw someone washing down the barbells at your gym?

Exercise bikes aren't much better, containing 39 times more bacteria that a plastic reusable cafeteria tray. You would think treadmills are at least somewhat clean because they're supposed to be wiped after each use, but each machine averages 74 times more bacteria than a typical washroom faucet.

The really bad news? 52% of bacteria found on the average treadmill can cause skin infections, and even pneumonia and septicemia.


On top of all this, 70% of bacteria found on all gym equipment analyzed are potentially harmful to humans, and 31% of all bacteria found are largely resistant to antibiotics.

The free weights and exercise bikes that were sampled also turned up Bacillus, which is a potential cause of various conditions, including ear, eye, and respiratory infections.

There are a few ways to improve cleanliness at the gym.

If you can't afford investing in your own gym equipment at home (which is probably the wisest option), make sure to properly disinfect machines both before and after you use them. Also, never walk around barefoot (especially in the locker rooms), don't even think of touching your face while working out and be sure to change out of your gym clothes immediately after a workout.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question: Is that why I always get sick after going back to the gym after a long absence?

Disrupt Your Feed: Never exercise.

Drop This Fact: The average office desk has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet.

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