Follow The Ultimate Gym Cleaning With 11 Steps 2023

February 15, 2023 Jay Do

How clean are your fitness facilities? Every personal trainer should ask oneself this question. After the emergence of viruses and the existence of other potentially hazardous germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi), trainers must reconsider their gym cleaning processes in order to preserve their customers' health.

This blog article looks at 11 crucial actions for keeping a clean facility:

A 5-step procedure for cleaning your gym.
3 stages to client education

Good gym cleaning procedures begin here. Let's start with an outline of how germs may grow in the gym.

Germs Love The Gym: Common Environment For Cross Contamination

Personal trainers may be found working with clients in a broad range of settings, including traditional gyms, private studios, and even the comfort of their own homes. There are several people who may have come into contact with the surfaces and equipment in each of these environments.

Extensive levels of germs, including viruses and bacteria, have been detected on gym equipment, floors, and countertops, according to a number of studies (Markley et al., 2012; Mukherjee et al., 2014).

One study indicated that fitness tools were more likely to be contaminated with viruses than with germs. Strength training apparatus was found to be much more polluted than cardio gear (Goldhammer et al., 2006). Multiple people touching the same pieces of gym equipment and surfaces increases the risk of the transmission of disease in a crowded gym.

5 Essential Steps: Gym Cleaning

This cleaning checklist should be used as a guide by your fitness staff while sanitising the gym.

Wash your hands before to cleaning. At least 20 seconds should be spent washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (e.g., 60-70% alcohol)
Utilize PPE when cleaning
To avoid contamination while using wipes, the surface should be cleaned in the same direction as opposed to back and forth.
Multiple wipes may be necessary. Simply spray the surface with a spray when using a spray.
According to the product's instructions, the liquid disinfectant must stay on the surface for a certain period of time.
When completed, discard all PPE and cleaning supplies and wash hands again.

It is normal for many persons to touch the surface of shared portable equipment, such as a foam roller or stability ball, while they are in use. These items may have to be cleaned many times each day.

After cleaning, the professional may wish to cleanse the equipment with soap and clean water to remove any leftover chemical disinfectant that might irritate the skin of a client.

Follow 3 Steps To Educate Client:

You may wish to instruct your customer on how to avoid the transmission of hazardous germs as a fitness expert. The technique may be explained in three simple steps: cover, wipe, and wash.

Utilize a towel to create a barrier between the client and the surface of the equipment by covering it with it throughout the exercise.
Usage a clean cloth or a disinfectant wipe to wipe off the surface of the device after use. This is particularly relevant for persons who may perspire on the apparatus.
3. wash hands after exercise This is an essential strategy to avoid the transmission of disease-causing microorganisms between persons (Larson et al., 2007).

Disinfecting, Sanitizing, and Sterilizing: What's the Difference?

Cleaning may be referred to in a variety of ways. Surprisingly, these words have a pivotal effect in determining the cleanliness of your building. Disinfect, sanitize, and sterilize are the three most important terms here.

DISINFECT

Disinfect is the most crucial term since it represents a cleaning technique that may remove or drastically reduce almost one hundred percent of hazardous bacteria from surfaces and equipment (Wiemken et al., 2016).

SANITIZE

Another synonym for disinfecting. Unlike disinfection, which kills all bacteria on a surface, sanitizing just kills the most dangerous ones (Song et al., 2019).

STERILIZE

The term "sterilize" refers to the comprehensive elimination of all pathogenic microorganisms by means of an elaborate thermal (e.g., dry or wet heat) or non-thermal (e.g., chemical, radiation) procedure (Seavey, 2013). A high degree of cleanliness is required to avoid the transmission of hazardous germs, and sterilization is often used in hospitals.

Is It Better To Disinfect Or Sanitize Gym Equipment?

Most everything you'll find at a gym can be easily sterilised or disinfected since it is non-porous (won't let liquids or air through) (West et al., 2018). Glass, metals, polymers, glazed tiles, and marble are all examples of non-porous surfaces.

In fitness centres, disinfection is the necessity. The CDC and the EPA both provide recommendations for cleaning products that may help with this (Larson et al., 2007).

Personal protection equipment (PPE) is highly recommended by experts for all trainers while doing any kind of cleaning. A standard set of personal protective equipment (PPE) would consist of a gown, helmet, glasses/goggles, face shield, face mask, and gloves (Honda & Iwata, 2016).

Wearing gloves and a mask when cleaning is a bare minimum. Wearing a mask is smart not just for your own health, but also to reduce the spread of illness.

If the substance has a harmful odour or if there is inadequate ventilation, a mask should be used. Those suggestions will be included in the product's instructions.