Some studies are showing that around 300 - 500 people are attending a gym daily depending on facility’s capacity. This means a huge number of people are using the fitness equipment every day and it does not get cleaned after every use. This may lead to growths of bacteria, viruses or fungi which are able to cause a variety of different skin infections.

In 2021, the fitness equipment review site FITRATED conducted a study of 27 pieces of fitness equipment from three different gyms, taking a surface sample from each to test for bacterial content. From each of the three gyms tested, three treadmills, three exercise bikes, and three free weights were swabbed for samples.

The study found that free weights contain more than 362 times the amount of bacteria than toilet seats, and treadmills contain 74 times more bacteria than a water faucet.

For Protection against Bacterial & Fungal Infections:

Before using a gym machine during your workouts, you can lay your towel down for added protection. This will prevent your body from coming into contact with the gym equipment directly and the towel will therefore act as an extra barrier to prevent bacterial or fungal infection.

With most common towels it can be a problem to remember which side you have used on the gym equipment, floor, the beach or any other ground and which side is the clean side to use for your body.

That is why we at Bahia Noir have created double sided coloured or pattern coded designs for visual representation and easy remembering the clean side to use on your face or body.