Sweat beads drip off the glistening arms of a student as he slowly lifts the biceps machine. When he finishes, he walks off, leaving his sweat for the next user.
The Recreational Sports Complex stopped providing patrons with small blue sweat towels Monday after a report that towel service was damaging the air-conditioning system, said Elaine Purdy, Rec Center director.
The building system’s audit reported washing the large number of towels produced an excessive amount of lint, clogging the air conditioning.
Equipment desk workers said they washed about two large commercial-sized loads per hour during peak times. Now, they wash a load about once every three hours.
The Rec would have to move the laundry equipment to a separate building to continue the service, but this is not an option, Purdy said.
Paper towels also are not an option because they are too expensive, she said.
Purdy asked other SEC schools about towel policies before removing LSU’s service. She found other schools, as well as many private clubs, require patrons to bring their own towels.
“It was a nice service,” Purdy said, “but we looked at what we could do, and it’s not possible.”
      The student Rec fee increased by $15 last spring, but the additional revenue will be used for an additional building, three sports fields and more equipment, Purdy said.
During the transition period, Rec student workers will provide towels for patrons who forget their own. The Rec will continue providing disinfectant spray for patrons to use with their own towels, she said.
Some of the old towels will be used by workers to clean the Rec, and others will be placed in storage, said Equipment desk workers.
Workers and custodians also will clean the equipment more often, especially after the busiest hours. The main weight room will have a supervisor to spot people, pick up weights and remind patrons to wipe equipment after use, she said.
Purdy recommends patrons wipe the equipment before they use it and wipe it again when they finish if they are sweaty. That way, patrons can ensure the equipment they use is clean.
While many people visit the Rec to improve heath, unsanitary equipment can make workouts counterproductive. The Healthy Home Advisory Services, a group of doctors in India, said washing sweat off with a hand towel at the gym is crucial because sweat left on equipment spreads germs.
The doctors began a campaign in India two years ago encouraging gym users to carry a hand towel when they work out.
Students who use the Rec are not thrilled about bringing their own towels.
“I’m going to forget to bring [a towel] from home,” said Lania Fryou, an interior design junior. “We’re paying for them, so we might as well have them.”
Fryou said she had difficulty finding clean towels before, but she still appreciated the service when she got a towel.
Edward Dauterive, a biology sophomore, said he used a towel at every visit and noticed most other patrons used them too.
“I normally come straight from class, and a towel is the last thing I have with me,” he said.