Our city gyms are where people come together, not just to work out, but to build community. The last thing anyone needs is a shower that’s more of a threat than the workout itself.
Legionella, the bacteria that loves a gross, poorly maintained shower almost as much as it loves lukewarm water. And it’s a particular concern for our city’s gyms, where busy shower facilities and older water systems make the perfect conditions for Legionella to flourish. Those slightly slimy tiles and that dodgy drain are basically a Legionella Airbnb.
Why Should Local Gyms Care About Legionella?
The reality is that local gyms are at the heart of our community. Whether it’s an independent fitness centre around the corner or that new swanky place that everyone’s talking about, the health of the people who use these facilities affects us all. Legionella is a bacteria that likes to chill in water. Think of it as that one lazy gym-goer who never actually works out, just lounges around, taking up space. Except instead of just clogging up the leg press, Legionella is busy breeding in those warm, stagnant showers. If you don’t keep your showers in check, that bacteria can pack its bags, hitch a ride on the steam, and, you know, cause Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella in gym showers
Showerheads. A glorious invention. They help rinse off all the sweat, tears, and questionable life choices after a brutal HIIT class. But here’s the bad news—if you’re not careful, they can also become the perfect breeding ground for Legionella and all sorts of other nasty things. Imagine every showerhead as a mini swamp—warm, damp, and sometimes with that suspicious gunk that no one really wants to touch.
In our city’s gyms, where hundreds of people cycle through showers daily, these fixtures can quickly become health hazards if not maintained properly. If you don’t maintain them, your showers are basically hosting an all-you-can-eat buffet for bacteria, complete with some lovely limescale decorations. Instead of being a refreshing post-workout rinse, they become something more like a horror show—a place where even the bacteria are doing bicep curls (metaphorically, of course).
The Not-So-Secret Recipe for a Legionella-Free Zone
Want to keep your gym bacteria-free and your showers less disgusting? Here’s how:
- Temperature Matters: Make it too hot for Legionella to stick around. They love temperatures between 20-45°C, so make sure your hot water is above 60°C. We’re talking hot enough to turn that slimy shower floor into a place Legionella wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
- Keep it Moving: Stagnant water is like a cesspool of opportunity for Legionella. Think of those seldom-used showers like that one treadmill in the back that no one uses because it’s always mysteriously sticky. Flush those showers regularly to keep the water fresh and discourage bacteria. If they’re sitting unused for too long, they’re basically becoming the bacteria equivalent of a dirty locker room sock—something nobody wants.
- Descale Those Showerheads: Legionella loves a bit of limescale to cling onto. All that crusty build-up? It’s like prime real estate for these bacteria. Descale and disinfect every few months. Picture it like giving your showerheads a good, deep clean—so that what comes out is actually water, not some gross, bacteria-infused mist that could be straight out of a horror film.
- Risk Assessment Time: Nobody loves paperwork, but it’s better than the alternative—a grimy, bacteria-ridden shower that could turn your gym-goers into victims. A Legionella risk assessment is basically like doing a deep clean but for your conscience. It’s your way of making sure there aren’t any hidden nasties lurking in your water system, ready to surprise your members like that forgotten protein shaker in the locker.
How to Avoid Legionella in gym showers?
Avoiding Legionella as a gym-goer largely comes down to being mindful of the facilities you’re using and taking some practical precautions. Here are a few tips to help you reduce the risk:
1. Be Picky About the Showers You Use
- Check for Cleanliness: Before stepping into the shower, take a good look around. If the shower area looks poorly maintained, with visible mould, grime, or slime, it’s a good idea to avoid it. Legionella loves gross, neglected places, so a clean shower is less likely to harbour bacteria.
- Avoid Seldom-Used Showers: If there are multiple showers in the gym and some seem less frequently used, avoid those. Water stagnation is a key factor in Legionella growth, and those dusty, forgotten shower stalls are prime candidates.
2. Run the Shower First
- Let it Run Hot: Before hopping in, let the hot water run for a minute or two. This can help flush out any water that’s been sitting in the pipes, which might contain bacteria. The hotter the water, the less chance Legionella has of surviving.
- Avoid Cold Sprays First: Legionella tends to thrive in stagnant, lukewarm water. Letting the shower run hot can make sure any potentially contaminated, stagnant water is flushed through before you’re exposed to it.
3. Close Your Mouth!
- Avoid Breathing in the Steam: Legionella is dangerous when it gets into your lungs via tiny water droplets or steam. When the shower first starts, turn away and keep your mouth closed to avoid inhaling any initial spray.
- Try Not to Swallow Water: It’s best to avoid swallowing any shower water, as unlikely as that might seem—especially when rinsing your face or hair.
4. Skip the Gym Shower If You’re Vulnerable
- High-Risk Individuals Should Be Extra Careful: If you’re in a high-risk group (e.g., older adults, smokers, or anyone with a weakened immune system), consider avoiding gym showers altogether. If you can, head home for a shower where you have more control over cleanliness and maintenance.
5. Choose Gyms with Good Maintenance Practices
- Ask About Their Safety Measures: The best way to avoid Legionella is to work out at a gym that takes it seriously. Look for gyms that are clean and well-maintained, and don’t be afraid to ask how often they clean the showers, descale the showerheads, or flush stagnant water. A responsible gym will have measures in place to prevent Legionella growth.
- Notice Temperature Control: Good gyms will keep their hot water hot—ideally above 60°C. If the shower never seems to get that hot or if the water seems tepid, that could indicate they’re not managing temperature control properly.
6. Keep Your Own Hygiene in Check
- Clean Your Own Gear: Legionella in gym showers isn’t the only issue—it can sometimes be found in mist or water that comes from any poorly maintained water source. Make sure you clean water bottles and any gear that might come into contact with water, like reusable shower shoes, to prevent any bacteria from growing.
Be Safe!
Our city gyms are meant to be a place where people come together to work out, improve their health, and feel part of the community. But that sense of well-being can easily be compromised by something as small as a bacteria. By ensuring showers are properly maintained and that gym-goers take simple precautions, we can keep our local gyms safe for everyone. So, whether you’re a gym owner or a regular member, let’s work together to fight the grossness and keep out legionella in gym showers
