Gyms and other similar training facilities have a responsibility to keep their premises and equipment clean, hygienic and germ-free. A recent guide published by the International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association found that customer satisfaction ratings and membership retention largely depend on the cleanliness of the facility.
It is imperative that a gym or sports club maintain high-quality cleaning regimes to protect members from any health risks. IWESCO offers professional contract cleaning and disinfection services. These offerings can be conducted on a routine basis or as a one-off service for your gym or sports club. We can guarantee the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene for your facility, which will keep your members happy and healthy while they train.
How to ensure the hygiene of your gym
A clean gym is a healthy gym. The areas of highest risk include the showers, toilets and the actual equipment itself. Not only are the weights, bars and gym mats handled regularly throughout the day, they are also covered in sweat and bacteria. This makes the equipment a potential breeding ground for viruses, fungi and infectious diseases. Many of these microbes can survive on these surfaces for up to 24-hours.
One scientific study reported that weights and bars at a gym can contain up to 362 times more germs than the average toilet seat. This study also revealed that the most common forms of bacteria and microbe include influenza, salmonella, athlete’s foot, plantar warts and rhinovirus.
In a recent survey, more than half of all gym members said that they expect their training facilities to be hygienic and free from germs. If a gym is perceived to be unclean, both the customer satisfaction rating and the retention rate of clients can fall by 40%. This shows that members are unhappy and far less likely to pay the monthly subscription fees if the facility is unhygienic.
Budget for cleaning and maintenance
These facilities should spend a percentage of their monthly budget on cleaning and maintenance. This makes a gym more attractive and can boost monthly profits as a result of higher customer retention rates. While the onus for cleanliness falls on the gym owners and management, there are ways to encourage members to play their part in keeping the facility clean.
Signage and audio announcements can remind members to train with a clean towel and to wipe down equipment after use. Ask members to wear flip-flops in the showers and to avoid training if they feel ill. A pre-sign up tour of the gym is a good opportunity to tell potential clients about the cleanliness regime and the high standards of hygiene at the facility. This will encourage them to join the gym and make them mindful of the hygiene rules.
Cleaning checklist for gym owners and management
Daily hygiene tasks:
Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces or equipment that comes into contact with bare skin.
Clean and disinfect the changing rooms, showers and toilets.
Wipe down all yoga mats with disinfectant.
Return all used equipment to its proper place and wipe it down with disinfectant.
Empty all dustbins.
Mop the gym floors with disinfectant.
Check that all wet wipe dispensers are stocked and full at the end of the day.
Weekly cleanliness tasks:
Clean all windows and mirrors.
Vacuum and clean carpeted areas or upholstered furniture.
Clean and lubricate all moving components of the equipment.
Inspect all equipment for damage or wear and tear.
Clean all water dispensers.
Inspect lockers and ensure that they are clean both inside and out.
Tasks as required:
Remove any tripping hazards and objects in walkways.
Clean the walls.
Replace lightbulbs.
Remove and repair broken equipment.
Monitor the temperature levels and adjust the air conditioning.
Ensure that there is adequate ventilation by opening or closing windows.
Clean rust from equipment.
These helpful tips will ensure that your gym or sports club remains clean, hygienic and up to member standards. The success of your facility rests in the happiness of members, which is directly affected by cleanliness and safety. Avoid illness outbreaks and guarantee a germ-free gym by following these guidelines. Contact us for more information on our professional cleaning services that can be tailored to meet your needs.
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IWESCO offers specialised cleaning and waste control services to industrial and commercial customers in South Africa. These services are aimed at minimising our customers’ impact on the environment. Our services also include pest control, garden maintenance, fogging and disinfecting. Our staff are highly trained to offer the most professional services. IWESCO is a Level 2 B-BBEE supplier with ISO 14001 certification for environmental management.
We are a one-stop shop for all your contract cleaning and waste control needs and have a national footprint. Our head office is located in Tshwane but we can provide services to any industrial and commercial client in the major metropolitan areas around South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mbombela and more.
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