Regular cleaning and maintenance of your gym should be a central part of your company’s health and safety practices. Read our guide to learn more today.
Gym Hygiene & Health
Gym equipment can be a breeding ground for numerous viruses, funguses, and infectious diseases. Study after study has revealed that the cleanliness of a gym can affect the health of both its staff and its customers. It’s important to maintain good hygiene in order to kill off illness-causing germs and bacteria. In 2017, Fitrated conducted an in-depth study of gym equipment germ levels and found that:
- Free weights had 362 times more germs than the average toilet seat.
- Treadmills were found to have 74 times more bacteria than a public bathroom faucet.
- Exercise bikes had 39 times more bacteria than a cafeteria tray.
Therefore, it is in the best interest of everyone for the gym to maintain a regular cleaning schedule and to encourage hygienic practices among its customers.
Customers Prefer Clean Gyms
“Cleanliness is the hallmark of perfect standards and the best quality inspector is the conscience.” – J.R.D. Tata, Entrepreneur
It is no surprise to hear that 56% of gym members expect their gym to be free of germs. The cleanliness of the gym can have a direct impact on customer satisfaction levels. In fact, one study has shown that gyms that are perceived to be dirty have lower customer satisfaction levels and retention rates. As such, even a slight increase in your cleaning and maintenance budget can boost the happiness of your clientele.
What Can Gyms Do to Boost their Hygiene Levels?
Gyms are busy places, so what can you do to ensure that your staff give cleaning and maintenance the attention they deserve? Use training to instill a sense of pride and proactiveness into your employees. Be sure to hold regular training sessions in which you establish standards and communicate the value of good hygiene. Schedule daily and weekly cleaning tasks. It’s also a good idea to have plenty of signage around your gym and in the changing rooms to encourage good hygiene habits among customers.
How Can Gym-Goers Ensure A Clean & Safe Workout?
As gyms are shared spaces, gym-goers also have a responsibility to keep up good hygiene habits. We all know that it’s only considerate to wipe down equipment after use, but it may also be a good idea to wash your hands before and after each session. In the changing rooms, consider wearing flip flops in the shower and be sure to clean up after yourself.
Learn More
If you’re not sure where to start on gym hygiene, then you should certainly browse through the below infographic which comes courtesy of the team at The Cleaning Services Group. This infographic provides a lot of helpful information, such as:
- An overview of germs at the gym
- A summary of the business benefits of keeping a clean gym
- 10 personal hygiene tips for gym-goers
- A checklist for gym owners.
Scroll down to the infographic to learn more today.
