Your consumers join your gym to keep their health bustling and bodies vigorous. However, if your facility is a haven to germs, your members might end up getting affected by various skin diseases and infections, which could cost them their health. Therefore, it is quite important you pay close attention to the cleanliness of your gym so that your customers can maintain their fitness goals. A spick and span gym is also a gateway to increased memberships and skyrocketing sales.
Gym equipment is loaded with viruses and bacteria. The most common amongst these are influenza, staphylococcus and E.coli. Research indicates that 63% of gym equipment is covered with rhinovirus, the virus that causes flu.
Fitness centers are excellent breeding grounds for viruses that cause skin diseases such as human papillomavirus and athlete’s foot. Studies also indicate that diseases such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a bacterial infection which can pose death risk, are spread mainly because of unhygienic gym facilities. MRSA is said to infect gym goers through cuts, abrasions and skin contact. Germs multiply within a few hours and since gym goers frequently touch their face to wipe of sweat, which lets these germs travel through the nose and mouth into the body, making them sick.
The common culprits that serve as a breeding ground for these diseases are unclean gym equipment and locker rooms. To make matters worse, most of times gyms do not have proper cleaning equipment so that gym members can wipe these products themselves. No one pays money to workout in an unhygienic environment or get sick every time they head out for the gym. In order to ensure a healthy workout session for your gym members and to keep your brand from gaining bad reputation, you need regular cleaning policy. This would not only improve your member retention but will also improve your brand image, reflecting it as a positive and caring business for others. Here are few tips that can help you get started with taking care of your gym hygiene.
Assess Your Gym Centre
Step in to your customer shoes and assess what kind of gym experience you are offering your customer. Think what would a first-time visitor see in your gym? Will he be ok to walk barefoot on your gym floor? Will he be eager to use the equipment? Does the gym send a message of a clean, hygienic environment?
You may not be able to critically examine your gym. Since you own it, you may find it an ideal place to exercise. However, it is imperative that you seek suggestions from friends and colleagues so that you can get honest reviews. You can also question your customers about the cleanliness standards in your gym. It's always good to use the feedback to make the necessary changes.
Chalk Out A Cleaning Policy
Begin by creating a checklist of all the products by assigning a different cleaning day to each gym item. Make sure that you clearly communicate the rules and that your cleaning staff performs the duty promptly. Some areas are quite susceptible to germs and therefore, need more attention. Areas like these should be cleaned daily.
- Free Weights: One of the most used gym items, free weights are loaded with viruses and germs. They are often neglected when it comes to cleaning, and hence they harbor diseases which are passed on from member to another.
- Locker Room: Locker room is another hotspot for germs. Most of locker room viruses linger on the floor. Usually shoes of members contain traces of faecal matter, which get transferred to the gym floor causing diseases such as hepatitis A and stomach flu. Other common viruses that thrive on gym floor are fungi, MRSA, streptococcus and staphylococcus. A single bruise in your skin and it can welcome germs into your body, causing infection. Advice all gym members to use flip flops in the locker room and get it wiped with a good anti-bacterial floor scrub after peak hours.
- Exercise Mats: In most gyms exercise mats are rarely washed or cleaned. What is worst that they are often reused without getting sanitized for every class. This makes them burgeon with germs. Ensure your gym has enough mats for two or three classes. This would allow time for drying during the training. Once the class is over, clean the mats with alcohol disinfectants to kill off the germs.
- Cardio Machines: Cardio machines are also very frequently used in gyms. Though they are often wiped down, they still have traces of germs such as fungi, yeast and rhinovirus especially on the seat.
- Gym Showers: Your gym members take shower to get rid of the stench and other dirt particles that get stuck upon them during a workout session. However, due to the presence of germs and fungi, they may be getting more harm done to themselves than good. A common ailment that is spread due to germs present in the shower is athlete’s foot. The best way to keep showers away from germs is to clean the material. The material washed regularly will be less dirty during cleanings. Since germs and bacteria have the tendency to survive these wet and humid floors, its best to wipe the cleaning material with alcohol sanitizing solutions throughout the day. When the facility is closed or doesn’t have any visitors, you can clean the equipment with bactericide detergent. Spray the solution on the floor and then wipe it rigorously. Wiping is an integral part of cleaning and helps completely finish off germs. Change towels when you wipe different surfaces so that you floor is not affected by cross contamination. Take time to thoroughly clean the floor, shower and rooms with specific cleaning material.
Get Your Members Involved Too
It is impossible to clean your equipment after every use, especially during peak hours. To ensure a spick and span gym get your members involved in the cleaning process too. You can place disposable towels, cleaning supplies and sanitizing solutions within easy access especially near the exit so that members can sanitize their hands before they leave the gym. Encourage your staff and trainers to sanitize their hands when dealing with gym members.
Many gyms encourage their members to adopt cleaning habits post workout. Signs such as equipment cleaning helps member use the machinery responsibly, wiping it after use.
Encouraging hand sanitization can make a huge difference, considerably improving the hygiene of your gym and its members.
