Dirty Mats. Dirty Feet.

You walk into the studio and remove your shoes. Now what? Your barefeet have touched the floor. We tell ourselves they clean the floor. While this is probably true - to what extent do they clean them and how often? And what about everyone else's feet? Are they clean? Do they have a foot fungus they aren't aware of? We override these concerns and head to class where we sweat, drip, move to the floor, on/off the mat, and all around the equipment. Dirt and germs are lurking. Let's face this fact and now do something about it.

A 2006 article in the New York Times, Communal Yoga Mats: Beware of Germs, discusses communal mats, yoga and the rise of foot health issues. Tidbits include:

"Gyms have long been hothouses for unwanted viruses, fungi and bacteria, a result of shared equipment, excessive sweat and moisture in locker rooms. Many facilities provide disinfectant so clients can wipe down machinery, but they are often less diligent when it comes to exercise mats. It’s common to see staff members clean a stationary bike. It’s rare to see them disinfect a mat."

"Representatives at most of the 10 gyms and studios that a reporter called nationwide said that they aim to clean mats thoroughly once a week."