Get enough breathless people doing burpees in the same room and you could create abnormal levels of air pollution in the gym, according to a new study out next month in Building and Environment. Researchers from Portugal monitored the air quality in 11 Lisbon gyms and found heightened concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and airborne dust. They measured levels of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone; airborne particulates such as dust; and various chemicals released by carpeting, cleaning products, furniture or paint, including formaldehyde. What they found will make you want to hold your breath during your next weight set, no matter what your trainer says: high levels of pollutants that exceeded all the safety standards for indoor air quality.
– You might want to start your next workout at the gym with a sniff test. A new study suggests that gyms have high levels of air pollutants such as formaldehyde, airborne dust, and carbon dioxide, reports the New York Times. In fact, levels for those three substances generally exceeded accepted standards for air quality. The samples were taken at gyms in Portugal, but the gyms were similar to those commonly found in the US. Researchers found particularly high levels of carbon dioxide during aerobics classes, thanks to all that huffing and puffing. But the need for better ventilation seemed clear in all areas, especially considering the physiology involved with a workout. "When we exercise, we take in more air with each breath and most of that air goes through the mouth, bypassing the natural filtration system" of the nostrils, says the lead researcher. "The pollutants go deeper into the lungs compared to resting situations." So what to do? The researchers stress that people shouldn't stop going to gyms, notes a blog post at Shape. But they might want to sniff their gym's air, and if it has a stale or chemical odor, ask the manager about ventilation or the most recent air-quality test. Beyond that, exercisers could make a point to go at less-crowded times, suggests Men's Fitness. (Exercise might be bad for your teeth, too.)