How clean is your gym?
We’re often told that exercise is important for keeping our bodies healthy. But what if the air we breathe when we’re working out is unsafe? For those who do most of their exercise in public gyms, the air may be worse than you think.
During exercise, especially aerobic exercise, we tend to inhale more air through our mouths as we breathe deeply through our lungs. When this occurs, outside air bypasses our nasal passageway, which is designed to trap some contaminants, and instead is sent right through to our respiratory system. This means air containing pollutants or other particulate matter may be entering our bodies unfiltered, leading to symptoms such as coughing.
To better understand air quality in gyms, researchers in Portugal placed air quality monitors in 11 gyms for several hours. What they found was surprising. In the gyms monitored, they discovered concentrations of dust, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide in levels above most accepted standards for indoor air quality. Even more disturbing were results during aerobic classes, where many people work out in small, cramped studios. During these classes, contaminant levels were especially high, with participants breathing out carbon dioxide and stirring airborne dust and other particles with each movement. Although carbon dioxide is not toxic to people, it has been linked to fatigue and mental fogginess, which are not conducive to any kind of gym routine.
Unfortunately, exercising outdoors is not always a better alternative, because of issues like pollution from vehicles, or during summer months, the harmful affects of ozone. For those who prefer to exercise outside, many experts recommend checking your region’s air quality status before heading out for a run.
While it may be hard to control the air quality outside, or at your favorite gym, you can take control of the air in your home with a HEPA air purifier. To learn more, head over to our products page and find out how you can breathe easier at home, even while you’re burning serious calories on the treadmill! And if you manage or own a gym, consider looking into air quality solutions for the health of your clients.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
