IAQ concerns inside a home aren’t limited only to specific spaces. Any activity occurring anywhere within the conditioned envelope of the house impacts the entire indoor environment. Home gyms, for example, are typically dedicated rooms utilized only or mainly for workouts. Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues in the gym affect those utilizing it. Since air circulates throughout the house, however, these issues may also impact other occupants elsewhere.
Here are a few common IAQ concerns that may begin in a home gym.
Excess Humidity
Workouts mean sweating. As humidity levels naturally rise within an enclosed gym room, indoor air quality may decline. Excess relative humidity—levels generally exceeding 60%—can trigger toxic mold contamination in the room. High humidity also supports bacteria growth and resultant odors. Inducted into the central HVAC system through return air vents, air pollutants may be spread from the gym throughout all household living spaces.
Temperature Control
The temperature in an enclosed gym room usually rises due to body heat from exercise. As participants become less comfortable, HVAC thermostat adjustments may be made to compensate for the heat. However, these changes necessarily impact all other rooms in the entire house, and may affect overall household comfort as well as increase cooling costs.
Insufficient Ventilation
An important aspect of proper indoor air quality is maintaining the correct balance of oxygen and CO2. Vigorous exercise in a gym room consumes oxygen and releases lots of carbon dioxide. Low oxygen levels along with excessive CO2 in the air can make participants tire easily and reduce the benefits of the workout. Deep, heavy breathing associated with exercise also exacerbates the health effects of inhaling airborne particulates that may present in the gym such as dust, mold spores and lint as well as common household vapors like VOCs (volatile organic compounds.)
Make sure your healthy lifestyle isn’t compromised by IAQ concerns. Ask the pros at Paitson Bros. for more ways to ensure good air quality in your home gym. We’ve served Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley since 1922.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 812-645-6859.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922