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Reopening Your Gym? Here’s What You Need to Know About Keeping It Clean!

Vagaro

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over 4 years ago

Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.

This article includes:

What Fitness Business Owners Need to Know About Disinfection

If you own a fitness facility and are preparing for reopening, you’re probably doing a lot of research to make sure you’re following recommended best practices so that your space is clean and safe for staff and members. In your research, you probably have seen the following terms: hygiene, cleansing, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing. Here’s what you need to know about them:

  • Hygiene – Hygiene is what you do to keep yourself and others healthy, like washing your hands or covering your mouth when you cough.  

  • Cleaning – Cleaning removes dirt you can see, like when you sweep a floor or wash a plate.

  • Sanitizing – Sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens present on a clean surface, like when you wipe down equipment between members.  

  • Disinfecting – Disinfecting eliminates most of the germs that lead to infection, like using an EPA-approved disinfectant to wipe down a clean surface or using an LED light disinfector on surfaces or equipment.  

  • Sterilization - Sterilization kills all the microorganisms on a surface and is generally limited to medical settings, or with tools used in services where the skin might be broken. Sterilization is performed with pressure steamers or autoclaves.

The build-up of sweat, oils, and skin cells on equipment and surfaces makes proper disinfection important in gyms, yoga, pilates studios, other fitness facilities. Before the pandemic, many fitness centers relied on solutions made from vinegar or bleach dilutions to clean equipment and surfaces. These solutions are not as effective as EPA-registered disinfectants and can damage rubber or wood flooring, door handles, and equipment.

Disinfect Fitness Equipment Without Ruining It

It’s important to keep your fitness center sanitary, but disinfecting fitness equipment isn’t like sanitation in other commercial spaces. Let’s look at how to disinfect your equipment without ruining it.

Every commercial disinfectant has its own unique chemical combination. Active chemical agents range from eco-friendly citrus oils, to phenol or alcohol-based cleaners, which can be corrosive to use on fitness machine equipment. Likewise, some chemical agents can cause premature wear to equipment, cracking and drying rubberized fitness tools.

Quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) are the ideal fitness center disinfectant. Quats solutions kill germs, viruses, bacteria, microbes, fungi, and other pathogens without posing a risk to humans or machinery. Many quats require a contact time (time required for efficacy) of up to 10 minutes, but disposable quats wipes often have a contact time of less than 2 minutes.

EPA Approved Disinfectants for Fitness Facilities

There are over 400 EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective in killing pathogens associated with COVID-19.  Even though the products found on List N have not been proven to eliminate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the EPA still predicts these disinfectants will work because they:

  • Demonstrate efficacy (e.g. effectiveness) against a harder-to-kill virus; or

  • Demonstrate efficacy against another type of human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2.

Here are the top disinfectants to use in fitness settings.

Zogics

Zogics products are EPA-approved and specifically made for use on gym and fitness equipment.

Products available:

  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Concentrated Disinfectants
  • Rubber Floor Disinfectant
  • Soft Surface Disinfectant
  • Glass Disinfectant
  • Restroom Disinfectant
  • Laundry Products
  • PPE

Learn More:

Vapor Fresh®

Vapor-Fresh® uses green chemistry and its formulation is both quats-free and EPA-approved with a quicker contact and drying time.

Products available:

  • Natural Sports Cleaning Spray
  • Disinfecting Gym Wipes
  • Laundry Detergent Powder
  • Foot, Shoe & Glove Powder
  • Hand Sanitizer

Learn More:

Steri-Fab®

Steri-Fab® is formulated for industrial and institutional use and is suitable for use on surfaces that other products are not. This product may be used on furniture, lockers, cabinets, drawers, carpeting, and high-risk waiting areas.

Products available:

  • Steri-Fab® Concentrate
  • Steri-Fab® Spray

Learn more:

Barbicide®

Traditionally used in the beauty industry, Barbicide® is equally effective for use on non-porous surfaces in fitness and athletic facilities.

Products available:

  • Barbicide® Concentrate
  • Barbicide® Spray
  • Barbicide® Cleaning Wipes
  • Clippercide® lubrication, anti-rust disinfectant spray
  • Ship-Shape® Laundry Detergent
  • Ship-Shape® Cleansing Spray

Learn More:

Your 5-Step Fitness Center Disinfection Plan

Now that you’re up to speed on the EPA-approved disinfectants, it’s time to create a new sanitation plan. Here are the 5 steps to take to keep your space and equipment safe and sanitary!

1. Before disinfecting surfaces or equipment, follow CDC recommendations for washing hands at least 20 seconds.

2. Wear PPE gear, such as face masks and gloves.

3. When cleaning with disposable disinfectant wipes, wipe in the same direction to avoid spreading germs to where you’ve already cleaned.

4. Follow the correct contact time for disinfectants to work effectively, then allow surfaces and equipment to fully air-dry before they’re used or touched by the next user.

5. After disinfection, dispose of PPE and re-wash hands according to CDC recommendations.

Additional Resources

Now that you know the best EPA-approved disinfectants to use and you’ve got a new sanitation protocol, the next step is preparing staff for reopening. Below, we’ve linked to free and low-cost resources, guides, and certifications that will educate your staff and give members peace of mind when they return.

Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.

Getting ready to re-open after COVID-19 requires careful planning! Making sure your fitness center is fully stocked with EPA-approved disinfectants and having a new sanitation protocol in place are the first steps to a successful, safe reopening! You’ve got the skills – we’ve got the tools to help you start back strong. CenteredImage width=100 height=100 alt='' src='https://media.graphassets.com/AAfPqxiQ1eJGhy6ZL6Rn' />

Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.

This article includes:

What Fitness Business Owners Need to Know About Disinfection

If you own a fitness facility and are preparing for reopening, you’re probably doing a lot of research to make sure you’re following recommended best practices so that your space is clean and safe for staff and members. In your research, you probably have seen the following terms: hygiene, cleansing, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing. Here’s what you need to know about them:

  • Hygiene – Hygiene is what you do to keep yourself and others healthy, like washing your hands or covering your mouth when you cough.  

  • Cleaning – Cleaning removes dirt you can see, like when you sweep a floor or wash a plate.

  • Sanitizing – Sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens present on a clean surface, like when you wipe down equipment between members.  

  • Disinfecting – Disinfecting eliminates most of the germs that lead to infection, like using an EPA-approved disinfectant to wipe down a clean surface or using an LED light disinfector on surfaces or equipment.  

  • Sterilization - Sterilization kills all the microorganisms on a surface and is generally limited to medical settings, or with tools used in services where the skin might be broken. Sterilization is performed with pressure steamers or autoclaves.

The build-up of sweat, oils, and skin cells on equipment and surfaces makes proper disinfection important in gyms, yoga, pilates studios, other fitness facilities. Before the pandemic, many fitness centers relied on solutions made from vinegar or bleach dilutions to clean equipment and surfaces. These solutions are not as effective as EPA-registered disinfectants and can damage rubber or wood flooring, door handles, and equipment.

Disinfect Fitness Equipment Without Ruining It

It’s important to keep your fitness center sanitary, but disinfecting fitness equipment isn’t like sanitation in other commercial spaces. Let’s look at how to disinfect your equipment without ruining it.

Every commercial disinfectant has its own unique chemical combination. Active chemical agents range from eco-friendly citrus oils, to phenol or alcohol-based cleaners, which can be corrosive to use on fitness machine equipment. Likewise, some chemical agents can cause premature wear to equipment, cracking and drying rubberized fitness tools.

Quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) are the ideal fitness center disinfectant. Quats solutions kill germs, viruses, bacteria, microbes, fungi, and other pathogens without posing a risk to humans or machinery. Many quats require a contact time (time required for efficacy) of up to 10 minutes, but disposable quats wipes often have a contact time of less than 2 minutes.

EPA Approved Disinfectants for Fitness Facilities

There are over 400 EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective in killing pathogens associated with COVID-19.  Even though the products found on List N have not been proven to eliminate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the EPA still predicts these disinfectants will work because they:

  • Demonstrate efficacy (e.g. effectiveness) against a harder-to-kill virus; or

  • Demonstrate efficacy against another type of human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2.

Here are the top disinfectants to use in fitness settings.

Zogics

Zogics products are EPA-approved and specifically made for use on gym and fitness equipment.

Products available:

  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Concentrated Disinfectants
  • Rubber Floor Disinfectant
  • Soft Surface Disinfectant
  • Glass Disinfectant
  • Restroom Disinfectant
  • Laundry Products
  • PPE

Learn More:

Vapor Fresh®

Vapor-Fresh® uses green chemistry and its formulation is both quats-free and EPA-approved with a quicker contact and drying time.

Products available:

  • Natural Sports Cleaning Spray
  • Disinfecting Gym Wipes
  • Laundry Detergent Powder
  • Foot, Shoe & Glove Powder
  • Hand Sanitizer

Learn More:

Steri-Fab®

Steri-Fab® is formulated for industrial and institutional use and is suitable for use on surfaces that other products are not. This product may be used on furniture, lockers, cabinets, drawers, carpeting, and high-risk waiting areas.

Products available:

  • Steri-Fab® Concentrate
  • Steri-Fab® Spray

Learn more:

Barbicide®

Traditionally used in the beauty industry, Barbicide® is equally effective for use on non-porous surfaces in fitness and athletic facilities.

Products available:

  • Barbicide® Concentrate
  • Barbicide® Spray
  • Barbicide® Cleaning Wipes
  • Clippercide® lubrication, anti-rust disinfectant spray
  • Ship-Shape® Laundry Detergent
  • Ship-Shape® Cleansing Spray

Learn More:

Your 5-Step Fitness Center Disinfection Plan

Now that you’re up to speed on the EPA-approved disinfectants, it’s time to create a new sanitation plan. Here are the 5 steps to take to keep your space and equipment safe and sanitary!

1. Before disinfecting surfaces or equipment, follow CDC recommendations for washing hands at least 20 seconds.

2. Wear PPE gear, such as face masks and gloves.

3. When cleaning with disposable disinfectant wipes, wipe in the same direction to avoid spreading germs to where you’ve already cleaned.

4. Follow the correct contact time for disinfectants to work effectively, then allow surfaces and equipment to fully air-dry before they’re used or touched by the next user.

5. After disinfection, dispose of PPE and re-wash hands according to CDC recommendations.

Additional Resources

Now that you know the best EPA-approved disinfectants to use and you’ve got a new sanitation protocol, the next step is preparing staff for reopening. Below, we’ve linked to free and low-cost resources, guides, and certifications that will educate your staff and give members peace of mind when they return.

Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.

Getting ready to re-open after COVID-19 requires careful planning! Making sure your fitness center is fully stocked with EPA-approved disinfectants and having a new sanitation protocol in place are the first steps to a successful, safe reopening! You’ve got the skills – we’ve got the tools to help you start back strong.

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