With COVID-19, Gyms Must Take Extra Steps to Keep Their Members Healthy
Gyms have always had to grapple with contaminants building-up on equipment and surfaces. Now, with COVID-19, all these concerns have escalated significantly.
Possibly a study conducted in 2017, can help us better understand what types of contaminants develop on gym equipment and on common areas in a gym. Further, possibly this information can help us determine what steps we need to take to minimize if not eliminate the build-up.
The study was conducted by the University of Tennessee and involved four gyms in Memphis. The machines swabbed, looking for pathogen build-up, included the following:
· Nautilus machines
· Treadmills
· Stationary bikes
· Power striders (a type of cardio machine)
· Elliptical machines (also a kind of cardio machine)
· Dumbbells and other traditional weight training equipment
· Leg press gear.
However, the researchers did not stop there. They also swabbed toilet handles, handrails on stairs, and a few other commonly touched surfaces. And just to make sure the testing procedure was accurate, the amount of surface tested on each surface was the same.
This way, if a more substantial area was swabbed on a treadmill, for instance, it would not skew the results of the entire study.
The researchers reported they found three types of bacteria in predominant amounts in the gyms. These were:
Firmicutes.
This is a type of bacteria that is not necessarily harmful in moderate quantities, but very interestingly, higher levels of Firmicutes have been associated with obesity. When Firmicutes were fed to mice, “the mice gained a significant amount of fat,” according to the researchers. Gym owners and managers working to help their members lose weight, most likely would not want their gyms coated with firmicutes.
This is a type of bacteria that is not necessarily harmful in moderate quantities, but very interestingly, higher levels of Firmicutes have been associated with obesity. When Firmicutes were fed to mice, “the mice gained a significant amount of fat,” according to the researchers. Gym owners and managers working to help their members lose weight, most likely would not want their gyms coated with firmicutes.
Proteobacteria.
This bacterium has been associated with several intestinal problems and infections.
This bacterium has been associated with several intestinal problems and infections.
Actinobacteria.
This bacterium can develop infections, especially around the mouth. What typically happens is that when someone uses a gym machine coated with this bacteria – and then touches their mouth or face – infections develop. Several other forms of bacteria were also found, but in lesser amounts. However, these bacteria tended to cause more severe illnesses and infections if they find their way into the human body.
This bacterium can develop infections, especially around the mouth. What typically happens is that when someone uses a gym machine coated with this bacteria – and then touches their mouth or face – infections develop. Several other forms of bacteria were also found, but in lesser amounts. However, these bacteria tended to cause more severe illnesses and infections if they find their way into the human body.
As to the surfaces most contaminated with bacteria, these were the findings:
· Treadmills
· Nautilus machines
· Leg presses
· Elliptical equipment
The toilet handles in the four gyms were also heavily coated with various forms of bacteria.
Knowing this, how can gym owners and managers ensure their facilities are clean and healthy? What we suggest is an infection control program. Here is what we advise:
•Wash hands before cleaning any equipment or high touch areas. Our hands may have germs and pathogens on them, which can be transferred to other surfaces.
•Use freshly cleaned cloth towels and be prepared to change them regularly.
•Apply a cleaning solution directly to the towel and then wipe the equipment. This helps prevent the cleaning chemicals from becoming airborne, which can be harmful to the user and the indoor environment.
•Once this is completed, we must disinfect the same areas. If done manually, this means we must spray the machines directly with the disinfectant. Allow it to “set” on the surfaces for a few minutes, and then wipe.
•Wash hands frequently during the cleaning operation and at the end of the cleaning procedure.
Another step that can help move the cleaning and disinfecting process along faster and has proven to be greatly beneficial is the use of electrostatic sprayers or misters.
These machines apply a disinfectant over a wide area. The liquid is given an electrical charge so that it attaches to surfaces as it is used. Once on those surfaces, the disinfectant goes to work, killing germs, pathogens, and infectious viruses.
Electrostatic sprayers, we should note, are not new. They were developed in the 1930s. However, because of COVID, they are now one of the best ways we can take to eliminate harmful pathogens from surfaces, not only in gyms, but in schools, office buildings, and other commercial facilities.
We are here to help building managers keep their facilities cleaner, healthier, greener, and safer, in the most cost-effective ways possible. To learn more about Secure Clean, contact us at 888-609-1410
