The Best College Gym Fans for Healthy and Happy Athletes

College gyms can easily become too humid and full of unpleasant odors without proper ventilation. College athletes and students need a facility where they can work out without fear of becoming overheated or breathing in odors that affect their physical performance.

Stagnant air in a college gym also increases the likelihood students will contract an illness from others. College gym fans are the solution to ensuring college gyms provide fresh, healthy, and comfortable air for their athletes.

There are many college gym fans in the market, but which type is best for producing high-quality air with proper ventilation and airflow? Read on as we delve into the best college gym fans for thriving and happy athletes.

Repercussions of unhealthy air in college gyms

When the air in college gyms is not ventilated properly, the condition of the environment is extremely unhealthy. Mold and mildew growth accelerates in a gym due to sweat, showers, saunas, and pools. Bacteria and viruses (including COVID-19) flourish in humid and sticky air. 

College gyms without proper air movement also deal with potentially toxic levels of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and allergens like dust and dirt. Poor air quality can cause immediate health effects, especially for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, and health complications further down the road from repeated exposure to the bad air.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, says to prevent indoor air quality issues in the workplace air contaminants should be removed and room temperature and humidity should be controlled. OSHA recommends the temperature in a workplace be in the range of 68 – 76 degrees and the humidity control in the 20-60% range. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA both recommend increasing ventilation in the workplace as one of the measures to reduce exposure to COVID-19.

All these federal recommendations are even more important to follow in a college gym environment due to the sweat and moisture inevitably being produced from individuals exerting their bodies through physical fitness.

The best college gym fans to increase airflow and ventilation 

The best way to prevent unhealthy, stagnant air in a college gym is through high-volume, low-speed HVLS fans. Commercial HVLS fans produce a constant airflow that makes a gym feel cooler and more comfortable. HVLS fans are also extremely affordable and increase your energy savings when paired with your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

HVLS fans use their large blades to move big volumes of air at low speeds. The fans circulate out contaminants and airborne particulates while creating a cooling effect on the human skin. 

HVLS fans mix the warm air at the ceiling with the cooler air at the floor level. This lowers the “feel-like” temperature by 6-9 degrees.

The strong air movement reduces moisture build-up and decreases the likelihood of airborne pathogens infecting athletes. The drier conditions mean equipment will have a longer life span and college students are less likely to deal with slip hazards. Read more about the benefits of HVLS fans for all industries.

How to get the best college gym fans at your facility