Gymsters obsessed
with the Wipepod
By Grange Europe | 09 February 2021
As lockdown eases Gymsters around the country can’t wait to get back to the gym but infection control and prevention is expected to be at the heart of any gym business strategy moving forward beyond lockdown restrictions.
The Hygiene Company are the UKs leading producer of portable, surface and wall mounted antibacterial hand and surface wipes dispenser - the WIPEPOD. Availability is proven to increase compliance and the large antibacterial wipes it dispenses are ideal for gyms for not just cleaning but KILLING & REMOVING viruses, germs & bacteria from equipment after use as well as personal use.
From articles and surveys released recently it is essential to have antibacterial wipes, ideally in a dispenser available for hands and surfaces to clean equipment and ensure germs and bacteria are killed and REMOVED from surfaces in a gym. The Hygiene Company would say that it's proven!
Pictured: Wipepod Wipes Dispenser
Gym Hygiene
We are living through unusual times. Whether personally or professionally we have all been expected to adapt and evolve to meet modern day living.
The COVID-19 era has placed a spotlight on key elements of gym and leisure facility management, more so than ever before.
Whilst gym strategies remain focused in other areas of business, ultimately, nothing is more important than the health and safety of members and staff.
Gym cleanliness
Gym facilities must ensure members and staff that their safety is of utmost importance at all times, both during regular operations and in extreme situations.
Gyms are poised and ready for the national lockdown to be over, and to be given the green light to allow members of the public through their doors.
But as gym owners are fully aware that on any given day, gyms are unfortunately at the top of high risk locations for germs.
According to a survey by tap warehouse 10% of gym members never wash their gym clothes, and 44% wear the same sweaty gym gear more than once, with 7% of Brits waiting five or more times before washing their gym kit.
Further research has found that;
Free weights have 362 times more germs than the average toilet seat.
Treadmills have 74 times more bacteria than a tap in a public bathroom.
The exercise bikes have 39 times more bacteria than a tray from a food court.
Across the wide range of safety factors a gym business must consider this study places a necessity on strong gym hygiene practices. These practices are very much the underpinning element to gyms being opened and remaining open for its members.
The expectation on gyms to meet the heightening standards expected prior to a re-opening of public workout facilities is of utmost priority during the coronavirus era. However, beyond the global pandemic consistently cleaning facilities and equipment is the easiest way to maintain them and reduce costly replacements.
Thinking further forward as gym owners evolve their business strategies around hygiene and cleanliness is customer satisfaction. Long term business growth can not be gained without the realisation the customers and members will be demanding high standards in these areas in order to pay their money and return.
Gym cleanliness ranks among the most important factors in member happiness with services as the opposite is associated with high numbers of members who do not renew subscriptions and memberships. According to a survey conducted by IHRSA, they found that if a gym was considered unclean, customer satisfaction ratings fell from 83% to 43% and retention rates fell from 90% to 52%.
Strict Cleaning Schedule
The best way to ensure that your gym is exceeding cleanliness expectations is to establish a strict cleaning schedule that staff and customers follow thoroughly.
This schedule should assign specific tasks that must take place at an exact time throughout the day. But, not only that, the schedule must include the most appropriate cleaning materials available.
Not only does the schedule and effective cleaning materials give your gym structure instead of relying on loose schedules where jobs can be overlooked, but it will ensure cleaning is completed to the highest standards.
Of course, gyms vary in size, but most have a number of different areas for members to use. All of them need to be kept clean, from spaces where people exercise, to other spaces such as changing and locker rooms or leisure spaces.
Interestingly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitising are defined differently.
Cleaning is not necessarily sanitizing
Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Sanitising lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.
With these definitions in mind, it’s easy to see that only cleaning won’t cut it. You’ll have to put steps in place that disinfect and sanitise equipment and other high-touch areas.
This is why The Hygiene Company covers all bases by offering dispensers that offer all of the above in one stand, ensuring all options are covered.
THC cleaning equipment allows the ‘wipes vs. sanitisers’ debate to rage on as they offer both in one simple solution.
Across the range of antibacterial wet wipes, sanitising stations and dispensers and hand foamers we can cover all bases for staff and your gym members.
THC provides innovative solutions within the hygiene products sector; and this is why more and more gym and leisure businesses are turning to us to ensure they are hygienically ready for both previous members and new customers moving forward.
Our hygiene products have been evolving since 1992 so you can rest assured that our services are not reactive to the pandemic, but scientifically catered for it.
More about gym hygiene in an article in Metro shows that now more than ever an effective infection control and prevention plan is essential - and a WIPEPOD can ensure this is easily implemented.
Gymsters part of the cleaning team!
Pictured: The 3 in 1 Cleaning Station