Modern gyms are hubs of activity as gym members flock to take advantage of the wide array of amenities on offer. From cardio machines to weight rooms and group exercise studios, patrons leave their mark across high-touch surfaces and shared gym equipment between each workout. To uphold the highest standards of hygiene amid such heavy usage, facilities increasingly rely on professional gym cleaning services capable of tackling even the most challenging messes.
As a premier name in commercial gym cleaning services, Rubbermaid delivers comprehensive solutions designed specifically for active environments. Whether deep cleaning locker rooms, disinfecting gym mats or maintaining spotless gym floors, our cleaning solutions utilise innovative tools and techniques to remove contaminants and leave spaces restored to a pristine, health-promoting state. With tailored approaches for every area, Rubbermaid ensures that every cleaning task is handled efficiently and effectively.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best cleaning protocol for shared gym spaces to help you ensure clean and hygienic fitness environments.
Why Gym Cleaning Is Important
Gyms are hotspots riddled with germs from sweat and humidity and frequently touched surfaces like exercise machines and lockers. Effective cleaning of fitness facilities safeguards members' health, prevents the spread of bacteria and cultivates an inviting ambience.
Why cleaning matters:
Wellness & safety: Reduces the risks of infections such as athlete's foot and respiratory issues that can derail exercise plans.
Member confidence: A clean fitness centre instils trust and motivates return visits to support goals.
Equipment longevity: Regular disinfection protects pricey gym equipment from damage and accelerated wear over time.
Professional image: A clean, well-kept fitness facility bolsters its reputation among the community.
Prioritising cleaning in gyms is critical for generating a risk-free, pleasant environment conducive to exercise and consistency, thereby helping patrons stay committed to their fitness journeys and loyal to the brand.
Areas To Focus On In A Fitness Centre
Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. But ironically, gyms can also be an extremely common place to encounter infections or spread germs. This is due to a number of considerations, with sweat and bacteria in high-touch spaces at the top of the list.
Gym staff need to identify these high-touch, shared areas of the facility and have set gym cleaning procedures in place to keep everything safe for their members.
Bathrooms
Like any restroom area, a clean gym bathroom will be a space that is frequently cleaned and disinfected. However, a fitness facility will need to take extra precautions and proper cleaning steps due to the nature of its facilities. Employees should tend to bathrooms throughout the day.
Here are a few best practices to implement in the daily cleaning of gym bathrooms:
Clean and disinfect toilets at least once a day using a microfibre system.
Clean and disinfect shower stalls at least once per day.
Sweep the gym floor to remove dirt and debris.
Wipe down sinks, countertops, soap dispensers, door handles and taps.
Mop floors with a disinfectant spray or solution.
Remove rubbish daily.
Spot clean as needed with cleaner.
Locker rooms
Similarly to bathrooms, locker rooms need special attention in gym facilities. Common areas like locker rooms can become a place for gym members to linger before and after workouts, increasing the risk of sweat and germ build-up. Because this is a high-touch area, locker rooms should be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day.
However, it’s wise for a gym owner to make note of slow and busy times of the day and throughout the week. Having a general idea of when there are large amounts of members coming in and out helps cleanliness in two ways. First, it gives employees a good idea of when extra sanitisation is needed. When traffic through locker rooms is high, it’s helpful to have an extra round of gym cleaning, while knowing when locker rooms are used the least offers a good time for deeper cleaning.
Here are a few locker room considerations for gym owners to keep in mind when creating cleaning guidelines:
When are locker rooms and showers used the most?
Are carpet cleaning and disinfectant needed?
What is one or two set times that locker rooms can be deep cleaned?
If the gym offers towels, how often do they need to be emptied and cleaned?
What are the most frequently used areas of the locker room that need extra attention throughout the day?
Mats and soft surface cleaning
In general, all gym equipment should be cleaned and sanitised regularly throughout the day. This can be done by designated cleaning staff, gym employees or trainers as part of their shift duties. In addition to that, the studio should make it easy and accessible for members to disinfect and clean their own fitness equipment as well, specifically with workout mats and other soft surfaces.
Places where clients lie down, sit or stretch encounter higher amounts of sweat, germs and bacteria. They also happen to be the surfaces that hold onto large amounts of moisture or body fluids. Gym facility owners should make cleaning products, such as microfibre cloths and cleaning solution sprays accessible near benches, mats, stretching areas and anywhere members tend to sit for exercises.
Tips and Techniques for Effective Gym Cleaning
Maintaining a fitness centre free from hazards and damage calls for both constant work and clever methods, particularly in busy locations. Use these tips to ensure cleanliness and create an inviting environment for your members.
Focus on high-touch areas: After every use, give high-touch locations like door knobs, weight machines, and cardio equipment first priority for cleaning to help to reduce the germs' dissemination.
Correctly sanitise gym equipment: Sanitise efficiently with EPA-approved disinfectants using suitable dwell periods. Steer clear of strong chemicals that could harm surfaces, like bleach.
Create custom cleaning plans: Plan consistent schedules and a gym cleaning checklist for both peak and non-peak times. While low-traffic hours allow for deeper chores, high-traffic times may call for regular cleaning.
Apply appropriate tools: Give your staff non-toxic cleaning products, microfibre towels and efficient tools, including vacuums, for gym floor maintenance.
Daily equipment cleaning: At least once a day, wipe down all of the exercise equipment to preserve hygiene and increase its lifetime.
Apart from maintaining cleanliness, a well-organised cleaning schedule guarantees the flawless operation of your gym facility, leaving a good impression on every member.
Product Highlights for Gym Cleaning
Maintaining a clean and safe gym environment necessitates effective sanitation tools. Rubbermaid offers cutting-edge, long-lasting, streamlined cleaning options tailored to high-traffic fitness facilities. Consider how our products can refine your gym cleaning workflow:
Pulse Mops
The HYGENTM PULSE Microfibre Spray Mop Kit eliminates the bucket, simplifying floor cleaning with an ergonomic design that dispenses cleaning solutions on demand. Ideal for tackling dirt and sweat on gym floors, it guarantees thorough cleaning while saving time.
Durable Microfibre Cloths and Mops
The HYGEN Microfibre System has been shown to remove 99.9% of bacteria, delivering exceptional performance on high-contact surfaces like exercise machines and benches.
Autofoam Dispensers
Touchless Dispensers ensure superior hand cleanliness with touch-free dispensers for sanitiser and hand soap. Suitable for entrances, locker rooms, and exercise zones.
T-Cell Passive Air Care System
The passive, battery-free TCell Dispensers keep your gym fresh with a quiet air care solution. It provides continuous fragrance for up to 60 days, maintaining a pleasant environment in common areas.
Rubbermaid Commercial Cleaning Products
Each gym will have different needs depending on its size, equipment and facility accommodations. While cleaning at the end of the day is crucial, cleaning guidelines should also note that sanitising as needed is equally as important.
Rubbermaid Commercial Cleaning products offer cleaning supplies and equipment that can withstand the high demands of the fitness industry, supplying your cleaning team with just what they need. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and products.
