Your Gym Habit is Harming Your Health: The Harsh Truth Behind Cleaning Gym Equipment

 

Picture this: You’ve been going to the gym consistently for a few months and seeing great results. You’re shedding pounds and loving your look. But what if we told you your daily gym habit, a resolution for health, was permanently harming your body in irreversible ways?

Unfortunately, this may be the ugly truth due to the harmful chemicals gyms use to disinfect machines. On this episode of MarketScale Building Management Podcast, President and CEO of Ionogen John Shanahan gives his take on the risks associated with these common gym chemicals.

Shanahan explained how these toxic chemicals, known as “quaternary disinfectants,” are “endocrine disruptors.” This means hormones, be they testosterone or estrogen, are thrown out of whack, and livers and kidneys are thrown into overdrive.

The saddest part of the equation? Quaternary disinfectants don’t even kill anything. To work, they must remain on the machine, in a damp state, for three to five minutes. So how do facility managers safely sanitize gym machines? Shanahan explained the straightforward solution – hypochlorous acid.

A sister to bleach, hypochlorous acid is 80 times more effective than bleach, non-toxic, non-poisonous, and collapses into the water. Hypochlorous acid is already found naturally inside our bodies, produced by our white blood cells. Shanahan endorsed it completely, saying it is “..colorless, tasteless and odorless…When sprayed on machines, it is an instant kill to pathogens on the machine.” Sadly, it’s not widely adopted among gymnasiums, but gym-goers can be the change, asking staff to use this method of disinfectant.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Building Management Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @BuildingMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More
ham radios
Hamvention 2025: ICOM Ham Radios Inspire Beginners and Veteran Operators Alike
July 9, 2025

Dayton Hamvention 2025 drew amateur radio hobbyists of all experience levels who shared stories and personal milestones. ICOM ham radios took center stage in many of these testimonials, featuring longtime fans to new licensees discovering the hobby through family and school. Attendees praised the reliability, sound quality, and ease of use of models like…

Read More
global radio enthusiasts
Dayton Hamvention 2025: Global Radio Enthusiasts Rely on Icom Radios for Versatility and Reliable Performance
July 9, 2025

Radio operators from around the world gathered at Dayton Hamvention 2025 to share firsthand stories of connection, experimentation, and gear that stands the test of time. As digital modes, satellite operation, and mobile setups continue to grow in popularity, global radio enthusiasts reaffirmed Icom as a trusted choice across all experience levels.. A diverse…

Read More
amateur radio operators
Dayton Hamvention 2025: Amateur Radio Operators Trust Icom for Performance and Reliability
July 9, 2025

At Dayton Hamvention 2025, amateur radio operators expressed strong support for Icom equipment. Many of them have had years of experience using a range of Icom radios, from portable handhelds to high-powered base stations. Users praised the brand’s reliability, sound quality, and straightforward operation across various setups, including RVs and travel scenarios. D-STAR technology…

Read More