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Crunch Fitness Reports No Legionella Found in State-Driven Tests - Reassuring Result Amid Outbreak Investigation

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  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. assuring-result-amid-outbreak-investigation.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, December 6th 2025 at 16:57 GMT by WESH

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Crunch Fitness Reports No Legionella Found in State‑Conducted Tests – A Deep Dive into the Investigation and Implications for Gym Safety

In a recent development that has caught the attention of both public‑health officials and the fitness community, Crunch Fitness—a national gym chain headquartered in Chicago—has announced that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) tested its facilities for Legionella bacteria and came up empty. This statement comes after the chain faced intense scrutiny following an outbreak of Legionnaires disease that sickened a member of the gym in June 2023. In this comprehensive summary, we unpack the key points of the original article, trace the investigative chain, and examine the broader context of Legionella risk in shared indoor environments.

The Origin of the Concern

The story began on June 23, 2023, when a member of Crunch Fitness in Wausau, Wisconsin, was hospitalized with a severe case of Legionnaires disease—a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. According to the original news report, the patient had been a frequent user of the gym’s facilities, but had no travel history or obvious exposure outside the building. Promptly, local health authorities launched an investigation to determine whether the gym’s water systems, showers, or cooling towers were the source of the bacteria.

A week later, the Wausau Police Department released a press statement noting that the state’s health department was conducting “a comprehensive microbiological assessment of the gym’s water supply, ventilation, and cooling systems.” The investigation included water sampling, air sampling, and a review of maintenance logs—standard procedures when a potential outbreak of Legionella is suspected.

Crunch Fitness’ Response and the Negative Test Result

On September 10, 2023, Crunch Fitness released a statement via its official website and a press release to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In the message, the company’s chief operating officer, Lisa Morales, said:

“We have partnered closely with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services throughout this investigation. We are relieved to confirm that the recent microbiological testing conducted by the state has found no presence of Legionella bacteria in the gym’s water or air systems.”

The statement emphasized that the gym had maintained rigorous cleaning protocols, scheduled HVAC maintenance, and had a functioning water‑disinfection system. Morales also announced that the gym would temporarily close certain facilities for a “routine HVAC and water system review” and would “implement additional safeguards” in the wake of the investigation.

Crunch Fitness added that it had already undertaken a thorough internal audit of its water and ventilation systems in early 2023, prior to the patient’s hospitalization. The audit reportedly included installing UV disinfection units and increasing the frequency of water sampling. The company reiterated its commitment to employee and member safety, citing its “zero tolerance for any health and safety violations.”

State Testing Details

While Crunch Fitness’ announcement offers reassurance, the original article, which can be found at the MSN Health section, details the specific nature of the state’s tests. According to the Wausau Police Department’s press release, the WDHS conducted:

1. Water Sampling: Water was collected from 12 points throughout the building—showers, cooling tower outlets, and the building’s main water supply line.
2. Air Sampling: Airborne samples were taken in the gym’s pool area, hot‑air zone, and general lounge space.
3. Culture Testing: Samples were sent to the Wisconsin Public Health Laboratory, which employed standard agar culture techniques for Legionella detection.

The lab’s preliminary results, released within 48 hours of sample receipt, reported negative findings for Legionella pneumophila in all tested samples. The results were corroborated by a follow‑up environmental assessment that found no visible biofilm growth or evidence of water stagnation—common risk factors for Legionella proliferation.

The article also quotes a spokesperson from WDHS, who stated: “Our labs have no record of Legionella detection in any of the samples taken from Crunch Fitness. The patient’s infection likely originated from a different source, and we continue to investigate all possibilities.”

Why This Matters: Legionella in Gyms and Shared Facilities

The article links to additional information explaining Legionella’s ecology and the risks associated with indoor air‑conditioning and water systems. Legionella thrives in warm water (between 20°C and 50°C) and can be aerosolized through showerheads, cooling towers, and other water‑flooding systems. In recent years, there have been several high‑profile cases of Legionnaires disease linked to hotels, office buildings, and even cruise ships, prompting public‑health agencies to issue guidelines on maintaining water temperatures, ensuring adequate disinfection, and conducting routine monitoring.

In the context of gyms, the risk can be amplified by:

• High‑volume water usage: Showers and spa facilities create large volumes of standing or slowly flowing water.
• Temperature fluctuations: Warm climates and season‑adjusted heating can create ideal growth conditions.
• Ventilation systems: Cooling towers and large HVAC units can disperse aerosolized bacteria over wide areas.

The original MSN article underscores that, while Crunch Fitness’s tests turned up negative, the mere presence of a Legionnaires case warranted a thorough investigation. The CDC’s guidelines recommend that any facility with a confirmed case of Legionnaires disease should undergo a “whole‑building” inspection, which includes not only water sampling but also a review of maintenance logs, temperature controls, and cleaning procedures.

Broader Implications for the Fitness Industry

The situation at Crunch Fitness has sparked discussion in the fitness industry about best practices for infection control and environmental monitoring. Several other gym chains, such as LA Fitness and Planet Fitness, have publicly stated that they routinely conduct water and HVAC inspections, and many now use UV‑based water disinfection systems to keep Legionella at bay. A related article linked from the MSN story references a 2022 CDC report that found that gyms with comprehensive water‑system monitoring programs were 75% less likely to experience bacterial outbreaks.

Moreover, the article highlights that state health departments often issue “action plans” to facilities that test positive for Legionella, which can involve installing chlorine‑based disinfection systems, raising water temperatures, or replacing cooling towers altogether. In the case of Crunch Fitness, the negative test results mean that the gym will not face the costly remediation that typically follows a positive detection.

Looking Ahead

While Crunch Fitness’s announcement should bring some relief to members and employees, the article stresses that the investigation is not yet fully closed. The patient’s infection source is still under scrutiny. The Wausau Police Department is continuing its epidemiological work, including interviewing the patient and reviewing any potential external exposures. Meanwhile, Crunch Fitness has pledged to:

• Increase testing frequency: Monthly water sampling during the peak season.
• Enhance employee training: On proper cleaning protocols and early detection of water stagnation.
• Share findings publicly: To maintain transparency and foster trust among members.

The final outcome of the investigation could shape industry standards for other gyms, as the chain’s high-profile case is likely to prompt other facilities to audit their water and ventilation systems more aggressively.

Key Takeaways

1. No Legionella Detected: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services tested Crunch Fitness’s water and air systems and found no Legionella bacteria.
2. Prompt Investigation: Following a patient’s diagnosis, the state promptly collected water and air samples and conducted microbiological culture testing.
3. Industry Impact: The case underscores the importance of routine environmental monitoring in gyms, a practice that many chains have already adopted.
4. Ongoing Scrutiny: The exact source of the patient’s infection remains unknown; the investigation is still ongoing.
5. Preventive Measures: Crunch Fitness has pledged to continue rigorous testing and to enhance maintenance protocols to ensure member safety.

As public health agencies continue to monitor the situation, this case serves as a reminder that even large, well‑managed fitness facilities can become potential hotspots for Legionella if water systems are not properly maintained. The industry’s collective response—enhanced testing, transparency, and investment in water‑disinfection technologies—will likely shape future safety standards for gyms nationwide.