Warm, moist environments are ideal homes for bacteria and germs.

THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING FITNESS FACILITIES

People spend time at your fitness center because they want to be healthier, but health and fitness centers offer bacteria and germs ideal places to thrive – warm, moist places like saunas, shower stalls and locker rooms. So while your members work out, they also may be fighting off a host of bacteria that could cause an unexpected illness.

While many patrons will use disinfectant wipes and sprays on treadmills and cardio machines, other high-touch items – like dumbbells, free weights and balls used in close-contact sports – are often neglected. Computer keyboards, for example, can harbor up to 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat and need to be cleaned. Phones, door handles, drinking fountains and even the magazines that are shared from one person to the next are notorious for hosting germs.