Whether to maintain good health, achieve their fitness goals, or make the most of their gym membership, going to a gym or fitness center has become part of many people’s routines. As such, fitness centers must maintain a clean and well-organized environment to ensure their clientele’s safety, comfort, and satisfaction.
Your most practical and convenient option is to hire a professional gym cleaning service. If your staff prefers to handle cleaning tasks themselves, here’s a guide to the good and bad cleaning practices your gym staff will need to manage daily.
Do’s of Fitness Center Cleaning
1. Hire a Professional Gym Cleaning Service
Cleanliness is a critical part of your fitness center’s success. Unkempt equipment, bathrooms, and nasty odors can make your members uncomfortable and less likely to return or renew their membership.
General staff may not have the expertise and knowledge required to effectively clean and sanitize gym equipment. By hiring a professional gym cleaning service, you are investing in the health and satisfaction of your clients, ensuring that your gym remains a safe and enjoyable place for all members.
2. Develop a Cleaning Plan
Ensure no spot is neglected by establishing a strategic cleaning regime. Create a schedule that covers all areas of your facility, including equipment, locker rooms, and reception areas. Additionally, consider the frequency of each task. For instance, high-touch areas like door handles should be disinfected more frequently, while dusting display cases can be done once or twice daily.
Beyond that, a well-thought-out plan will also outline the specific tasks required, such as wiping down machines, sanitizing surfaces, vacuuming, mopping, and more. A comprehensive cleaning plan is an essential tool in ensuring effective facility maintenance.
3. Prioritize High-Touch Surfaces
While cleaning and sanitizing all areas of your fitness center is essential, high-touch surfaces should be prioritized. Aside from door handles, benches in the locker rooms, and other fixtures, this can also include free weights and exercise equipment.
High-touch surfaces should be a priority on your cleaning list. These surfaces are highly susceptible to harboring harmful bacteria and viruses, and frequent sanitation or disinfection reduces the risk of transmitting diseases.
4. Use Proper Disinfection Techniques
Sanitizing kills bacteria, but disinfection kills both bacteria and viruses. Whether you’re looking for professional gym cleaning service providers or acquiring cleaning supplies for your team, it’s important to note the difference between these two.
Disinfection goes beyond simple cleaning as it involves using appropriate chemicals and techniques that eliminate potentially harmful pathogens. Ensure that your gym is being cleaned with disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and that your cleaners follow proper guidelines for using these products.
5. Encourage Member Participation
More people are now conscious of cleanliness and the risk of transmissible pathogens. Many gyms today have a designated cleaner in charge of cleaning exercise equipment after every use to ensure that the next person isn’t bothered by the lingering smell or sweat.
However, some members want to be sure of the cleanliness of the equipment, so they wipe down the equipment themselves. If possible, install stations with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes throughout your gym. Gym members can use these before using the equipment. This practice promotes cleanliness in your gym while improving customer satisfaction.
Don’ts of Fitness Center Cleaning
1. Don’t Neglect Locker Rooms
Aside from the main fitness center area and shower rooms, locker rooms are breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This makes gym members susceptible to transmissible illnesses or infections. This is why locker rooms are a critical area of focus for your gym cleaning measures.
Ensure that shower areas are disinfected regularly and provide adequate ventilation to prevent mold and mildew build-up. Additionally, ensure that floors are cleaned and dried properly, as wet surfaces can lead to slips and falls.
2. Don’t Forget About Ventilation Systems
A well-ventilated fitness center is essential for maintaining the health and comfort of your clientele. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, increased allergen exposure, and the spread of airborne pathogens. Ensure your gym’s vents are regularly cleaned and schedule preventative maintenance at least once every few years.
3. Don’t Overlook Small Details
It’s easy to overlook minor details, especially when cleaning a large fitness center that’s open 24/7 or has plenty of members coming and going. Details such as dust and debris in corners or behind equipment can be overlooked. However, these seemingly minor issues can accumulate over time, contributing to a decline in overall cleanliness and negatively impacting the atmosphere of your facility.
Having a plan or list can help ensure you address these small details. Consider creating a checklist to ensure that nothing is missed.
4. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Proper Training
The right cleaning products are crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy fitness center. However, these may be less effective if your team doesn’t know the proper usage. Ensure that your gym cleaning team is well-trained in properly using chemicals and cleaning agents and the correct methods for cleaning different types of equipment and surfaces.
This will not only result in a cleaner facility but can also help to prevent damage to equipment and surfaces caused by improper cleaning techniques.
5. Don’t Compromise The Frequency Of Cleaning
While it might be tempting to cut costs by reducing the frequency of gym cleaning services, doing so can lead to accumulating dirt, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. This can result in a drop in membership satisfaction because of the potential spread of illness and infection within your fitness center.
Remember, the health and satisfaction of your clients are of utmost importance. Ensure tasks are done at an appropriate frequency. Investing in gym cleaning services is an investment in their well-being.
Find Effective Cleaning Solutions With JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting
A clean and hygienic fitness center is crucial for the health and satisfaction of your clients. By following these do’s and don’ts, you can ensure that your facility is well-maintained, providing a safe and enjoyable space for all who use it.
Achieve cleaner commercial spaces with JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting by your side. Get in touch with JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting today to ensure your fitness center or gym impresses all your members and improves your bottom line.