Improving Hygiene in Gyms and Fitness Equipment
Gyms are hotspots for health and wellness — but also for bacteria. With hundreds of people sharing equipment, lockers, mats, and showers each day, fitness facilities face a growing hygiene challenge. Sweat, skin cells, and frequent touchpoints create ideal conditions for microbial growth.
To maintain high standards of hygiene, and reassure health-conscious members, gyms must go beyond traditional cleaning. This is where antimicrobial technology steps in.
What Are the Risks?
Numerous studies have shown that shared fitness equipment harbours more bacteria than toilet seats. Common contaminants include Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, along with fungi that can cause skin infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm. Surfaces such as:
- Dumbbells and kettlebells
- Treadmill and cross-trainer handles
- Resistance machine grips
- Yoga mats
- Locker doors and changing benches
- Touchscreens and check-in kiosks
- Water fountains
...are all major bacterial touchpoints that are rarely cleaned between uses.
The Limitations of Cleaning Alone
While regular disinfection is critical, it only provides short-term protection. Surfaces become re-contaminated as soon as they are touched again. In high-traffic environments like gyms, this creates an almost continuous cycle of cleaning and exposure.
Even the most diligent cleaning schedule can’t fully eliminate the microbial growth between sessions, especially in hard-to-clean textured surfaces or porous materials like rubber and foam.
Biomaster Antimicrobial Protection – The Long-Term Hygiene Solution
Biomaster is a proven silver ion-based antimicrobial additive that can be seamlessly incorporated into gym equipment during manufacturing. It becomes an integral part of the material, offering 24/7 product protection against microbes for the lifetime of the product.
- Continuously active
- Effective against a wide range of microbes
- Doesn’t wear off or leach
- Suitable for plastics, coatings, rubber, textiles, and more
Key Applications for Biomaster in Gym Equipment
- Gym Equipment Handles & Grips
Dumbbells, barbells, and resistance machines can incorporate Biomaster into rubberised grips and plastic coatings to inhibit bacterial build-up. - Exercise Mats and Flooring
Foam or PVC mats treated with Biomaster inhibit microbial growth and reduce odour. - Changing Room Fixtures
Lockers, benches, door handles, and shower accessories benefit from durable antimicrobial product protection to support hygiene in moist environments. - Wearables and Smart Tech
Touchscreens, heart-rate sensors, and smart gym accessories can all be protected using Biomaster to reduce microbial contamination. - Vending and Kiosk Surfaces
High-frequency touchpoints like vending buttons and entry systems can be moulded or coated with antimicrobial technology.
Reassurance for Members, Value for Operators
Incorporating antimicrobial protection is more than a hygiene upgrade, it's a marketing asset. Fitness centres can differentiate themselves by promoting advanced hygiene features, helping to attract members and improve trust post-pandemic.
Manufacturers of gym equipment also benefit from added value and compliance with increasing consumer demand for hygienically focussed products.
Why Choose Addmaster?
With over two decades of experience in antimicrobial innovation, Addmaster supports leading brands worldwide. We offer:
- Tailored antimicrobial solutions for different substrates
- Free regulatory and technical support throughout development
- Free marketing and co-branding assets to promote hygiene benefits
Get in Touch
If you're a gym equipment manufacturer, product designer, or facilities manager looking to improve hygiene in fitness environments, we can help. CONTACT US TODAY to explore how Biomaster antimicrobial technology can add value to your products.
Further Reading
- Examining Gym Cleanliness (FitRated) https://www.fitrated.com/resources/examining-gym-cleanliness
- 7 Leisure Centre Hygiene Issues and What Operators Can Do (Avanti) https://about.avantihygiene.co.uk/leisure-centre-hygiene
- Gym hygiene guide: the dangerous bacteria that lurk in dirty fitness equipment and clothes (The Conversation) https://theconversation.com/gym-hygiene-guide-the-dangerous-bacteria-that-lurk-in-dirty-fitness-equipment-and-clothes-227309
- The Dirtiest, Most Bacteria-Infested Places in the Gym (Business Insider) https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/the-dirtiest-places-in-the-gym
- We Swabbed GoodLife, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness Locations to Find The Germiest Piece of Equipment (CBC News) https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/gyms-germs-1.7079679
- Gym Equipment is Pretty Disgusting, and Here’s How You Can Avoid Those Germs (Self) https://www.self.com/story/gym-equipment-is-pretty-disgusting-and-heres-how-you-can-avoid-those-germs
- Your Gym’s Dirty Little Secrets (ABC News) https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/gyms-dirty-secrets/story?id=17021882
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