Why clean air is so valuable to your Gym and your members.

People go to the gym to get healthier. But the air they breathe while they train is rarely something gym owners think about, and research suggests it deserves more attention than it gets.

Here is what studies of fitness centres have found, and why a clean air conditioning system is one of the simplest ways to look after the air your members are breathing.

Members breathe much more air than you do at the front desk

At rest, we breathe a modest amount of air. During hard exercise, we breathe far faster and deeper. That is great for fitness, but it also means anything in the air gets inhaled in larger amounts.

A month-long study of a gym in Slovenia put numbers on this. At the exercise intensity measured, breathing was about three times faster than at rest, and the dust level created by the exercise was about double the outdoor level. Put together, the researchers estimated that someone training in the gym would inhale about six times the PM10 (inhalable dust particle) dose they would get sitting outside.^[1]

The type of workout matters too. A Portuguese study measured 63 fitness classes and found that aerobic classes produced about double the breathing volume and PM10 levels of holistic classes such as yoga or pilates. For the PM10 dose actually inhaled, the gap was more than four times.^[2] A separate study of four health clubs also found that cardio classes led to higher inhaled doses than other types of exercise.^[3]

If your gym runs spin, HIIT, boxing or group cardio, your members are in the highest exposure group.

Many gyms are sealed, air conditioned spaces

Researchers who assessed 11 fitness centres in Lisbon noted that most had closed heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, with windows that could not be opened for fresh air. The researcher behind the study pointed to a combination of intense activity, many people in the space, insufficient ventilation and relatively small rooms, and called for better assessment of what gym users are breathing in.^[4]

In a space like that, the air conditioning system does a lot of the work of keeping the air comfortable and moving. It is also a part of the building that is easy to forget, because it is up on a wall or tucked away in the ceiling.

What happens inside a dirty air conditioner

An air conditioning system has coils and a drain tray that stay damp as the unit runs, and dust collects on them over time. Industry guidance describes this as a place where microbes, including fungi and bacteria, can build up. Filters help, but they are not perfect, particularly with very small particles. Cleaning those components also helps the system run more efficiently, which is a practical benefit on top of air quality.^[5]

According to an Airtasker guide, the Australian Building Codes Board identifies damp or unclean HVAC components as a major source of indoor air contaminants such as mould, bacteria, pollen and dust mites.^[6] Australian air conditioning service providers also point to musty smells, reduced airflow and higher power use as common signs that a unit is due for a professional clean.^[7]

A gym unit typically runs for long hours, in a space with lots of moisture from sweat and a steady stream of people. That is a demanding environment for any air conditioner.

Signs your gym’s system needs attention

Members rarely tell you the air is off. They just stop coming back. Watch for these early warning signs:

• If it has been 12 months since the last time the unit(s) were cleaned
• A musty or stale smell when the system starts up
• The room feels sticky or humid even when the AC is running
• Uneven cooling, with hot spots near the weights or cardio area
• Weak airflow from vents or noisy operation
• Water leaking or dripping from indoor units
• Members mentioning the gym feels stuffy or smells

What a proper clean actually involves

A quick wipe of the filters is not enough. Breezehouse technicians work deep inside the system, using premium products and treatment methods suited to busy commercial spaces.

What this means for gym owners

A regular professional clean of your split system or ducted air conditioning is a straightforward way to:

• Reduce dust, mould and allergens circulating through a space where people are breathing hard
• Improve airflow and comfort during peak classes
• Help the system run more efficiently, which can ease strain on the equipment
• Remove musty odours that members notice, even if they never mention them
• Show members you take the health side of fitness seriously

How often should a gym get serviced?

As a general rule, the busier the space, the more often it benefits from a service. Many gyms are best served by a clean before the hot season starts, and a follow-up if you notice smells, humidity or reduced airflow. If your gym runs long hours or has several systems, we can talk through a schedule that suits how you operate.

We service split and ducted systems across Brisbane, Logan, the Redlands, Ipswich and the Gold Coast and we work with all the major brands.

Book a gym air conditioning clean

Breezehouse cleans split system and ducted air conditioning. Call us on 0485 016 740 to book your gym in, or send an enquiry below.

Learn more about split system air conditioning servicing and ducted air conditioner cleaning.