Exercising: How often do you need to clean your yoga mat?

It is completely understandable if you feel a bit of "cleaning fatigue" these days. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, aggressively scrubbing down every piece of exercise equipment was the norm. Today, many of us are far less attentive to pathogens, even in crowded fitness centers.

However, letting your guard down completely could be a mistake. To help break down the science of gym germs and how to protect yourself, here is a 5-part blog series based on the latest expert advice.

Part 1: The Invisible Gym Partner: Are You Working Out in a "Microbial Cloud"?

Remember the days of meticulously wiping down every dumbbell and treadmill? As we've moved past the peak of the pandemic, that level of vigilance has dropped. But experts warn that our relaxed attitude might be leaving us exposed to some truly stubborn germs.

According to a 2018 study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, nearly 75% of swab samples taken from fitness equipment—such as dumbbells, treadmills, and exercise mats—tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus. This is a common type of bacteria responsible for the majority of skin and soft tissue infections.

Why are gyms such a hotspot for bacteria? It comes down to human biology. Jason Tetro, host of the “Super Awesome Science Show” podcast, explains that every person carries a "microbial cloud."

“Trillions of microbes are shed from us like dead skin cells," Tetro notes. "They can be shed in the range of 1 million an hour. If microbes were visible, we’d all look like Pigpen [from the 'Peanuts' comic strip].” So, the next time you step onto a crowded gym floor, remember that you're sharing the space with billions of invisible, shedding microbes.