The things everyone handles.
Grips, benches and other shared surfaces deserve attention. CDC identifies skin contact and contaminated surfaces as routes for MRSA spread, and recommends hand hygiene before and after using shared weight equipment. [5]
YOUR OWN HOME GYM
Skip the
gym germs.
Shared equipment. Shared air. When your immune system needs extra consideration, your workout environment matters.
A personal training space lets you choose who uses it, how it is cleaned and when you train.
AI ILLUSTRATIONFor the days when extra care is part of life.
If you or your partner has had a transplant, a busy gym may bring concerns that go beyond the workout. NHS Blood and Transplant explains that anti-rejection medicines after a kidney transplant reduce the body's ability to fight infection. [1]
Movement can still be part of life. NHS guidance encourages activity after kidney transplant, with recovery and progression guided by your transplant team. Ask your own team which setting, exercises and precautions fit your situation. [2]
BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN SEE
A closer look at shared spaces.
Equipment can look clean and still carry microbes. Research helps explain why hygiene matters, but it cannot tell you the condition of every gym.
38.2%
of sampled surfaces tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus in one study.
What the study actually found.
Researchers detected S. aureus, a bacterium that can cause infections, in 110 of 288 surface samples. The survey included gyms, community centres and hospital-associated fitness facilities. [3]
This was a local snapshot of bacterial presence, not the quantity of germs or anyone's chance of infection. Results vary: an earlier study found no S. aureus in 240 cultures from three gyms. [4]
Read the original researchA SMALL INVESTIGATION, IN CONTEXT
How dirty is gym equipment?
In 2016, a laboratory investigation commissioned by equipment review site FitRated sampled 27 pieces of equipment across three US gyms. ABC News reported these bacterial count comparisons. [7]
| Equipment tested | Reported bacterial count comparison |
|---|---|
| Dumbbells / free weights | 362×the count reported for an average toilet seat |
| Treadmills | 74×the count reported for a public bathroom tap |
| Exercise bikes | 39×the count reported for a cafeteria tray |
These figures concern overall bacterial counts, not specifically faecal bacteria. This small commissioned investigation does not establish conditions in every gym or how likely someone is to become ill.
Cleaning is only part of it.
Respiratory viruses can also spread through shared air, especially in crowded indoor spaces with poor airflow. Ventilation and air cleaning matter wherever you exercise, including at home. [6]
BRING THE WORKOUT HOME
Know your space.
Know who shares it.
Your equipment. Your cleaning routine. No need to work around the gym's busiest hour.
Training alone at home removes public equipment sharing and other gym users from that session. For a couple building a routine together, it also means choosing a space you both know.
Home is not germ-free. Household contacts, ventilation and cleaning still matter. These are practical differences in the setting, not a measured reduction in infection risk.
Explore your setup with us
| Your routine | A shared gym | Your home setup |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses the equipment | Shared with other members | You choose who has access |
| Cleaning between sessions | Depends on staff and other users | You set and follow the routine |
| People around you | Occupancy changes through the day | You choose whether to train alone |
| When you train | Opening times and busy periods | A session that fits your day |
MAKE EXTRA CARE A ROUTINE
A little preparation.
A space you know.
Keep hands and touchpoints in mind.
Wash your hands, use your own towel and cover cuts as advised. Clean equipment using its manufacturer's instructions and compatible products. [5]
Think about the air, too.
Bring in fresh air when practical and consider suitable air cleaning. A home workout still shares air with anyone else in the room. [6]
Let your care team guide the workout.
Discuss the exercises, resistance, supervision and infection precautions that fit your treatment or recovery. Equipment demonstrations do not replace an individual exercise plan. [2]
GET TO KNOW GYM MONSTER 3
Make room for
your routine.
Resistance you can adjust
See how the digital resistance controls work, and discuss appropriate loads with your clinician.
Exercise guidance on screen
Explore movement demonstrations and the equipment features that could fit your agreed plan.
A platform that folds away
Plan for the open platform, accessories and movement space, then fold the platform between sessions.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Before you begin.
Is home training safer after a transplant?
It gives you control over equipment sharing and who is present. The research here does not establish a percentage reduction in infections from exercising at home. Your transplant team should advise on suitability and precautions for your circumstances.
Does everyone with a transplant need to avoid gyms?
No single rule fits everyone. Your stage of recovery, medicines and individual health matter. Ask your transplant team about public gyms, home exercise and any support you need.
Are the magnified microbes a real laboratory image?
No. The image is an AI-created illustration to help visualise microbes on a shared surface. Its colours, scale and density are illustrative. The published research is linked separately below.
Does Speediance prevent infection?
No. Speediance is exercise equipment. A personal setup can change who shares your training space, but does not prevent infection or replace hygiene, medical advice or treatment.
Can I see the equipment without visiting a showroom?
You can explore the equipment in a live online demonstration. See the current demo options and ask our team to explain the controls and space requirements.
READ THE EVIDENCE
Sources, with context.
Research, public-health guidance and reporting. Checked 19 October 2026. The transplant guidance below is specific to kidney transplantation; your own care team can advise on other conditions.
- NHS Blood and Transplant: Infections and kidney transplants.
- NHS Blood and Transplant: Staying healthy after a kidney transplant.
- Dalman et al. (2019). Characterizing the molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus across and within fitness facility types. BMC Infectious Diseases.
- Ryan et al. (2011). Are gymnasium equipment surfaces a source of staphylococcal infections in the community? American Journal of Infection Control.
- CDC (2025): Athletes: MRSA Prevention and Control.
- CDC (2025): Taking Steps for Cleaner Air for Respiratory Virus Prevention.
- ABC Health & Wellbeing (26 April 2016): Gym germs: Is your fitness centre making you sick? Reporting on a small laboratory investigation commissioned by FitRated.
A WORKOUT SPACE THAT IS YOURS
Start with a closer look.
See the controls. Talk through your space.
Explore a home setup at your own pace.