Planet Fitness promotes a culture of cleanliness, encouraging its members to practice proper hygiene etiquette by wiping down the equipment after each use. Locations usually have easily accessible spray bottles and paper towel dispensers. However, the popular gym chain is being called out by one of its members in Myrtle Beach, California. She discovered rashes all over her body after using the tanning bed.
In a TikTok slideshow with over 132,000 views, TikTok creator Michaela (@videodumpmk) posts the aftermath from a recent visit to Planet Fitness. “Thank you, Planet Fitness for this strange and painful rash???” she writes in the text overlay, blasting the fitness facility.
She reveals a glimpse of the rash on her body. A large, light pink, scaly patch is on one of her shoulder blades, and another is on the back of her arm. Then, the second slide features the extent of the rash. It covers the center of her back and extends to underneath her shirt.
What Caused This?
Many viewers accused Michaela of not cleaning the tanning bed properly, which they believed created the rash.
“Repeat after me: we clean before and after using anything at ANY gym not just Planet Fitness. Not saying it’s your fault, but that’s why it’s always good to practice cleanliness,” the top comment with 1,380 likes remarked.
“Idk about yours but mine provides cleaning bottles to clean before and after you use the equipment. If yours doesn’t i would highly consider bringing your own,” a second commented.
But a third blamed Planet Fitness, saying, “I feel like cleansers aren’t being diluted appropriately and they think stronger means cleaner. Causes dermatitis or skin burns.”
Michaela addressed some of the critical reactions in her comments section. “Figured I would let everyone know I CLEANED THE MACHINE I PROMISE LMAO. I’ve been tanning here for forever and never had this happen, always double clean the machines, this time something just went wrong I suppose. All cleared up now!” she said.
Meanwhile, others simply cracked jokes about this being the reason why they avoid going to the gym.
“My couch would never do this to me,” one commenter quipped.
“This is why I don’t work out,” a second joked.
How Can You Contract Rashes At Gym Tanning Beds?
According to Healthline, having dry skin or overexposure to the tanning bed’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause heat rashes. Since Michaela claimed this hasn’t happened before, the cleaning materials used on the tanning bed may be the culprit. Improper product dilution can lead to skin inflammation called dermatitis. Essentially, the skin can absorb chemicals, causing a flaky, itchy, and angry reaction.
Typically, these rashes clear up within a couple of days.
VeryWellHealth recommends seeking medical attention if the rash’s appearance or pain doesn’t decrease, the redness increases, or if you develop a fever. These are signs of a skin infection.
BroBible reached out to Michaela via TikTok comment and direct message. BroBible also reached out to Planet Fitness via press email.