There can be no denying that exercise equipment, especially that used in a commercial gym, can take a lot of abuse. Sweat, dust and general wear and tear will not only make the equipment look bad, it can also cause some irreparable damage. Properly cleaning and caring for your expensive exercise apparatus can help to extend its lifespan and keep it in optimal condition.
We have outlined some of the basic cleaning steps that must be taken to ensure that your equipment is kept clean and well maintained:
- Wipe down the equipment with a hand towel. This will remove any sweat or dust that may have accumulated throughout the day. This basic sort of cleaning should be performed after each use, at the end of each day when the gym has closed and first thing in the morning.
- Spray the surface of the apparatus with an all-purpose disinfectant. You can use this on benches, metal poles, hand railings and so on, just do not spray the actual weights. Use a hand towel to remove the disinfectant from the surface after a few seconds.
- Hold a hand towel under cold water and wring it out so that the cloth is only damp. Wipe down the actual weights to ensure that they are clean and dry them with another (dry) hand towel. This sort of equipment is often neglected, making them overly dirty.
- Exercise mats should be wiped down with disinfectant spray after each use and either thoroughly air-dried or rubbed with a dry towel. Once a week, the mats should be washed in a tub or washing machine using a mild detergent to ensure cleanliness.
If the exercise equipment you are hoping to clean is electric, such as a treadmill or bike, it is of the utmost importance that it has been unplugged first. This will prevent the risk of electric shock and lower the chances of the disinfectant or water damaging the wiring. It is also important that you thoroughly dry the equipment before plugging it back in.
There are a number of reasons why cleaning and maintaining your exercise equipment is important. Forgetting to remove sweat, for example, can pass on rashes and other infections. Not cleaning or improperly drying weights, on the other hand, can lead to rust and general corrosion. Ensure that gym patrons and staff are all informed about the proper cleaning procedures.