Are gymnasium equipment surfaces a source of staphylococcal infections in the community?

To determine the staphylococcal colonization of gymnasium surfaces, we obtained cultures of 5 gym surfaces, before and after routine cleaning in 3 local gyms, 3 separate times. Of 240 cultures, none was positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA). Gym surfaces do not appear to be reservoirs for staphylococci; therefore, surface-to-skin contact in gymnasiums does not likely play a significant role in community transmission of MRSA or MSSA.