Those who go the Student Recreation Center to exercise will now have to bring a towel when wearing tank tops, camisoles or sports bras if they wish to use the equipment.

Sarah Daugherty, the center’s program director, said the staff is trying to ensure those who workout will not get an infection.

“We want to make sure we don’t have skin contact with the pads and benches in order to avoid spreading anything like (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) or Staph,” Daugherty said.

The Rec staff will be turning people away who are wearing these clothes without a towel starting Tuesday.

Daugherty said those using equipment that does not have padding can go to the Rec without having to bring a towel.

“The apparel has actually been a guideline since we opened our doors 23 years ago,” Daugherty said.

She said she thinks a lot of people are unaware of this because of the lack of illustration and enforcement of these rules. She added they are trying to make sure outbreaks of these skin-related infections do not hit Eastern or the students.

Along with the guidelines in place, the Rec also has paper towels and cleaner for students to wipe down the equipment after they use it.

Colton Ray, a junior kinesiology and sport studies major, said he thinks the Rec is fairly clean. He added even though the paper towels are not available at each station all the time, one of the stations always has them.

Priscilla Heredia, a sophomore psychology major, said as long as students are cleaning after themselves, the Rec should be clean.

Daugherty said she understands the inconvenience, but she thinks it is important to avoid these infections.

Jarad Jarmon can be reached at 581-2812 or jsjarmon@eiu.edu.