Gym-goers can take a deep breath after a recent study suggests the aggressive cleaning policies frequently practiced at gyms may not be necessary to prevent high levels of bacteria.
According to a UF study published in the American Journal of Infection Control on Thursday, researchers found no trace of the bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, in 240 samples taken from three different community gyms.
Samples were taken from high-traffic areas and from places people were more likely to touch.
MRSA outbreaks caused much concern in previous years, especially due to increased gym traffic, said.
Isabel Anasco, an epidemiologist with the Alachua County Health Department, said that health officials have learned from mistakes and now take precautions and institute policies preventing the spread of MRSA.
“We don’t see outbreaks like we used to anymore,” Anasco said. “The current sanitizers at the gyms will get rid of the bacteria that people carry around naturally. We now have very good guidelines and we maintain them.”
The study suggests bacteria that live on skin may not be able to survive on other surfaces like the floor or the equipment at the gym.
Drew Elliott, a fitness consultant at Bailey’s Powerhouse Gym, said he and the rest of the staff are adamant about wiping down equipment, especially in places prone to have more bacteria build up from sweat like ellipticals and treadmills.
He said although new research may say that heavy cleaning isn’t necessary, he would rather play it safe.
Jennifer Boyd, a UF senior, said she will still stick to her plan of wiping down machines at Southwest Recreation Center when she goes for a workout.
“I will probably still clean the machines after I use them, just out of courtesy,” she said.
