Indoor shoe policy
Street shoes off. Clean shoes on.
Everyone at TLC changes into clean, indoor-only training shoes before stepping onto our training floors. You put your hands and face on this floor, so let's keep it clean.
Tap the video for sound.
The rule
Indoor-only footwear, every time.
- Who
- All members and guests, including drop-ins, day passes and trial weeks.
- What to wear
- Clean training shoes that you only wear indoors.
- Barefoot
- Encouraged. Training barefoot is always welcome.
- Not allowed
- Any shoes you've worn outside, even if they look clean. Shoes worn outdoors are not permitted in training areas.
- When to change
- Before you step onto the training floor.
- Your street shoes
- Leave them in a day-use locker while you train.
- Forgot your pair?
- Train barefoot for that session, and bring your indoor pair next time.
Read the full indoor shoe policy in our membership terms.
Why we do it
Where have your shoes been today?
421,000
Units of bacteria on a shoe
A University of Arizona study found about 421,000 units of bacteria on the outside of the average shoe, and up to 96% of shoes carried coliform bacteria, the kind found in human and animal waste.1
Face down
You train on this floor
Planks, push-ups, burpees and stretching put your hands and face right where shoes walk. Clean shoes keep that floor clean for everyone.
Longer life
Better floors and equipment
Street grit and oil wear down rubber floors and mats. Indoor shoes keep the space looking and feeling the way you found it.
Shoe policy questions.
Anything else? Message us on WhatsApp.
What is TLC's indoor shoe policy?
All members and guests must change into clean, indoor-only training shoes before entering the training floor. Shoes worn outdoors are not permitted in training areas.
Do I need special shoes?
No. Any clean training shoes work, as long as you only wear them indoors.
Can I wear the shoes I came in if they look clean?
No. If you've worn them outside, they count as street shoes, even if they look clean. Bring a separate pair and change when you arrive.
Can I train barefoot?
Yes, and we encourage it. Training barefoot is welcome on our training floors. Just don't walk in from outside barefoot.
What if I forget my indoor shoes?
Train barefoot for that session, and please bring your indoor pair next time. Street shoes stay off the training floor.
Where do I leave my street shoes?
Use one of our day-use lockers while you train.
Does the policy apply to drop-ins and first-timers?
Yes. It applies to everyone on the training floor, including drop-ins, day passes and A Week of Complete.
Sources
- Gerba C (University of Arizona) with The Rockport Company, study of bacteria on footwear, as reported by Genesis HealthCare System. Article
Pack your indoor pair.
New to TLC? Bring a clean pair to your first session and we'll show you around.