Sports medicine expert reveals 5 ways to tell if a gym is clean

Whether it’s to get a beach body or work up a sweat to get better in the sack, many of us will be hitting the gym this summer.

Now, Melanie McNeal—the manager of physical and occupational therapy at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas—is showing how to keep yourself and others healthy in the shared, sweaty, hallowed confines of the gym.

She insists that good gym hygiene starts at home.

McNeal recommends wearing clean clothes every time you work out, as used clothes collect sweat and bacteria that, in addition to smelling bad, can spread germs to other gym residents.

She also suggests a quick spot check of the exercise equipment before you start working out.

If you notice moisture or residue from a cleaning solution, let it air dry and do the trick.

The residue indicates that the cleaner takes longer to kill the bacteria. It takes about two minutes for the solutions to kill gym germs, and McNeal advises waiting that long before using equipment or a weight bench.

When you’re done exercising, McNeal cautions against spraying cleaning solutions directly on the equipment, as excess moisture can damage it.

Instead, take a sanitizing wipe or a wipe wet with the solution and wipe it anywhere your sweat has been blessed or your skin has come into contact.

The same goes for tears.

If you like to shower after a sweat session, McNeal recommends wearing flip-flops to protect your toes. Gym showers are notorious breeding grounds for mold, fungus and other bacteria that can infect your feet, so your best bet is to wear a barrier.

McNeal says, “Good hygiene prevents illnesses like colds, flu and even salmonella, but cleanliness can also indicate that a gym is generally maintained, including the quality of the equipment. If hygiene rules are not respected, you can get sick, make others sick or even cancel your membership.”

When it comes to determining whether your gym prioritizes hygiene, McNeal suggests watching for these five red flags.

• Not having sanitary napkins readily available for members or staff to wipe down equipment after use often means equipment harbors invisible bacteria.
• The lack of signs directing members to clean the equipment after each use suggests that cleanliness is not a priority.
• Gym members who use equipment and do not clean it afterwards may indicate that there is not a culture of cleanliness.
• Dust-laden equipment is a sure sign that the facility neglects cleanliness.
• Machines and equipment that are broken and out of order for long periods may indicate a lack of interest from management to ensure a well-maintained space.

McNeal recommends that exercisers take precautions and set standards for themselves and the venue regardless of the season.

“Expect a clean gym and report concerns to management if you have,” she said. “You should feel free to ask the management about the cleaning schedule and always clean yourself. Leave the equipment as you would like to find it when you approach it.”