Keeping gyms sanitary and users healthy
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were increasingly using gyms to stay fit. According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), memberships grew by 37% from 2008 to 2018 with 6.1 billion visits that year (IHRSA 2018). As we navigate reopening during the pandemic and remaining safe in the future, users and gym owners need to be aware of the importance of keeping the environment healthy and safe.
Prescence of pathogens in gyms
The environment in gyms is ideal for the transmission of bacteria and viruses. The main factors that influence microbial growth in a building are moisture, temperature and nutrient availability. The communal nature of the modern gym—with multiple high touch areas and group spaces—creates a massive potential exposure area for pathogens. In addition, gym-users sweat, and heightened body heat contribute to higher levels of moisture in the air. In these ideal conditions, transmission is easy – it only takes an infected person to sneeze viral particles in the air or wipe their nose on their hand and then touch a communal surface, for disease to start spreading. There is very little knowledge about the presence of pathogens in gyms and consequently every gym needs effective hygienic protocols to combat their spreading.
A recent peer-reviewed study showed high levels of multiple types of human and environmental bacteria in gyms. Worryingly, these bacteria included the potential pathogens: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and Micrococcus. Viruses also can be present on high-touch, communal surfaces, and in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective cleaning and disinfecting routines are important weapons in slowing infection. The presence of these and other microorganisms is likely due to poor personal hygiene habits of users as well as lack of attention to surface cleaning and disinfection routines. (Mukherjee et al 2014)
Keeping safe at the gym
At Everwipe, we understand and advocate for the importance of staying healthy and fit, so we want to be clear, we are not advising staying away from the gym. We want you to be aware of how to safely and effectively take care of yourself, those around you and your environment.
“Fitness is one of the best types of preventative healthcare. That said, it’s crucial to take the precautions necessary to ensure that you’re not exposing yourself to harmful pathogens in your pursuit of fitness. Staying fit is important; staying disease free is critical. – Dr. Jason Slosberg”
Keeping gyms and fitness spaces clean and disinfected is vitally important. Apart from staying home altogether, the most effective way to decrease the risk of exposure to pathogens is practicing basic hygiene and sanitary care while at the gym. Remember the differences between cleaning and disinfection and how they work together to keep high-touch areas safe.
- Cleaning uses soap and water to remove dirt, impurities and germs from surfaces.
- Wipe the area down with a disinfectant wipe and allow the surface to fully dry to account for the “dwell time” necessary to fully kill pathogens. The dwell time could be up to 10 minutes, so always read and follow the instructions carefully.
- Cleaning and disinfecting should be used consecutively to ensure a reliable result.
Imagine someone sneezes on a countertop, leaving a trail of mucus behind. Cleaning the surface would remove the mucus, leaving the surface looking clean, but still leaving behind a trail of germs and potential pathogens. Disinfecting the surface (without cleaning) would disinfect the actual surface and its covering, essentially killing any germs in the mucus, but still leaving behind an unpleasant blob of snot! Cleaning and disinfecting is key for maintaining pleasant and hygienic places to safely workout.
As hygienic protocols are adopted, it is vital to pay specific attention to high touch areas. In the gym, these high-touch areas are not only defined as those places that multiple people touch with their hands, but also those that are in contact with the soles of feet or gym shoes. Weights, benches, cardio machines, water coolers, and door handles are major culprits. These areas provide opportunities for transference of pathogens from the environment to multiple individuals. For example, if a someone uses a leg-press and doesn’t adequately clean and disinfect it, a second person might use the machine, alter the settings, touch the part where the first person had their feet, thereby potentially transferring a pathogen from shoes, to hands to face.
We are all aware of the importance of staying fit and healthy. Awareness of the importance of routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces in gyms will help ensure that a workout in the gym is as safe as possible.
To ensure the highest levels of safety, we recommend using EPA-registered Everwipe Disinfecting Wipes for communal high traffic areas. Our healthcare-grade wipes are trusted by industries nationwide to provide reliable disinfection that complements your protocol. For more information on safety protocols, refer to CDC guidelines. For more cleaning and disinfecting tips, visit Everwipe.com.
Keeping the workplace safe for everyone
