How to Properly Clean Gym Equipment After Every Use - 5 Steps

Imagine walking into a gym, enthusiastic to train, but you only spot sweat stains on the benches and the equipment you attempt to use. This gives you a clear message that cleanliness is not a priority for this gym, and you may move out and look for a new one to continue.

Proper cleaning is essential for a healthy gym environment and every place we spend time. We will help you learn how to properly clean your gym equipment after use to attract new members and maintain a healthy environment.

Why is Cleaning Gym Equipment Important?

Lack of cleanliness in the gym can affect its members and cause sickness. As a result, the gym's reputation can be harmed, and the business may face a loss. Now let's take a look at some information regarding the gym cleanliness and how harmful they are:

• Treadmills, free weights, and exercise bikes are among the most contaminated surfaces, often harboring bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

• A study by Fitrated shows that free weights have 362 times more bacteria than a toilet(source: Guardian.ng).

• An exercise bike has 38 times more bacteria than a cafeteria tray, and a treadmill has 73 times more bacteria than a water faucet(source: womenshealthmag.com).

• Staph infection, fungal pathogens, enterococcus, and E. coli can be carried from yoga mats, dumbbells, and benches.

Therefore, it demonstrates that thoroughly cleaning gym equipment after use is strongly advised and enhances business.

Types of Gym Equipment to Clean

Different gym equipment is available, but the specific gym determines how much it keeps. Let's talk about the most essential equipment that needs cleaning after everyday use.

• Cardio Machines: Frequent use of cardio machines can help strengthen the heart, boost lung capacity, and improve cardiovascular health. Cardio machines are essential and widely used equipment in the gym, so they must be cleaned after daily use. There are several cardio machines, such as:

• Elliptical trainers

• Cross trainer

• Stepper 

• Recumbent bike

• Airdyne

• Spine bike, curve treadmill

• Bitski trainer

• etc

• Strength Equipment: Consistency in using strength equipment elevates muscle building, improves bone density and metabolism, and enhances overall health and fitness. However, for these benefits, a healthy environment is essential, and you need to clean the strength equipment, which includes:

• Dumbbell 

• Resistance belt

• Treadmill

• Barbell

• Power rack

• Leg Curl Machine

• Leg Press Machine

• Mat and Yoga Equipment: Mats and yoga equipment enhance comfort, protect joints, and ensure hygiene, among other benefits. Mats and yoga equipment include: 

• Yoga straps

• Exercise Mat

• Yoga blocks

• Foam roller

• Resistance band

• Yoga Mat

• Blankets

• Cork Yoga Brick

• Floor Mat

• Other Equipment: These are a few additional advanced equipment listed:

• Battle rope 

• Skipper rope

• Rowing machine 

• Cable machine 

5 Steps to Cleaning Gym Equipment After Use

You will encounter an unsanitary environment if you see sweat stains on seats, handles, pads, and everywhere else. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a clean gym to attract more members and increase revenue. 

Statistics say that “globally, 2.3 out of every 100 people go to the gym daily, whereas in the USA, 21 out of every 100” (source: Gymdesk). This represents a significant number, and they attend the gym to achieve fitness and improve their health.  Now, explore the steps for cleaning the gym after each use:

Step 1: Gather Cleaning Supplies

To begin cleaning, gather all necessary materials and cleaning equipment, such as 

• sanitizer or wipes

• microfiber cloths

• disinfectants

• cleaning solutions

Ensure you have the appropriate cleaning solutions. Using regular cleaners or detergents can cause the color of your gym equipment to fade. 

Additionally, glass cleaners may not adequately disinfect your gym equipment, so choose the cleaning solutions that are best suited for it.

Step 2: Clean Cardio Machines

Cardio machines are typically heavy and large. Users often get sweaty while using them, making them dirty. To clean the cardio machines, first unplug them. Then, avoid using wet cloths or fibers on the digital board; always use dry, soft cloths, as wet cloths can damage the digital screen. 

Then, thoroughly clean each piece of cardio equipment with damp clothes to disinfect it. Focus on the areas that are touched most frequently, and don't forget to wipe down the sides of each piece of equipment. Need extra effort on the most contaminated cardio machines (clean these extra!).

• Treadmill

• Elliptical

• Exercise Bike

• Rowing Machine

Germ Hotspots of those machines

• Handrails, speed buttons

• Moving handles, foot pedals

• Seat, resistance knob

• Handle, seat rail

Why do they get germy?

• Heavy sweat drips and constant touching

• Friction and sweat buildup

• Direct skin contact and sweat absorption

• Repeated gripping and shared usage

Step 3: Clean Strength Training Equipment

Cleaning strength equipment is essential for hygiene, preventing germs, and prolonging the lifespan of gear. Strength equipment is frequently touched and often gets sweat stains and dirt. Let's see the step-by-step cleaning process. 

• Wipe them using a damp microfiber cloth to remove sweat stains and dirt.

• Use soft soap and water spray to disinfect the metal and rubber-coated weight.

• For rust prevention, you can use a dry cloth and occasionally apply a light coat of oil.

• Use a soft brush for a textured grip to remove grime.

• Wipe down handles, seats, and pads to disinfect germs with a sprayed cloth.

• Check moving parts and lubricate if needed.

If you are a gym owner, ensure someone wipes down every piece of equipment after daily use and performs rust prevention weekly. Also, you should hire a professional team or company to dry clean your gym once a year. 

Step 4: Clean Mat and Yoga Equipment

Yoga mats are often used more frequently and get sweaty, as everyone sweats on them during use. Therefore, cleaning yoga mats is essential after each use. 

Typically, yoga mats have an open-cell structure, so soaking them in water for cleaning may cause them to absorb more water and bacteria. If your gym is in a warmer location, deep cleaning is mandatory at least once a month.

Deep cleaning of an open-cell structured yoga mat:

• Allow the mat to soak in warm water with one tablespoon of soap for 1 gallon of water.

• Submerge the mat in the water for five minutes, then scrub it with a cloth. Rinse the mat with clean water to remove any soap residue.

• Now, shake the mat and dry it until it is entirely moisture-free.

Deep cleaning of a closed-cell structured yoga mat:

• Lay down your mat on a flat surface 

• Mix warm water and a drop of soap, and be careful not to mix too much soap

• Soak the rag in soapy water and then scrub the mat from top to bottom, prioritizing the dirty spot with a circular motion.

• Wipe the mat with a clean cloth, then dry for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Dry and Sanitize

Dry and sanitize your gym equipment with an EPA-registered disinfectant spray or wipe in high-touch areas such as handles, seats, and surfaces.

Focus on high-touch areas. Examples include dumbbell handles, barbell grips, machine seats, adjustment knobs, treadmill consoles, resistance bands, and cable attachments.

• Sprays: Apply enough to coat the surface evenly, then allow it to air dry (refer to product instructions for dwell time, typically 3–5 minutes).

• Wipes: Scrub thoroughly to eliminate grime, then dispose of after use (don’t reuse wipes on different machines).

• Drying: Let the equipment air dry completely before use to ensure the disinfectant works effectively.

Use a clean, dry towel to wipe mats or upholstery to prevent slipping.

Additional Tips

• Provide disposable gloves for staff handling used equipment.

• Place trash bins nearby for used wipes/towels.

• Post signage reminding users to sanitize equipment post-workout.  

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Options

Eco-friendly cleaning means the cleaning materials and solutions are not deleterious to the environment; it is called green cleaning. There are a few options for green cleaning. Let's discuss how green is expected to be:

• No toxic 

• Biodegradable 

• Hypochlorite, phosphate, ammonia, bleach-free

• Bulk packaging

• Reusable 

What to use for eco-friendly cleaning

• Diluted dish soap water

• EPA-registered disinfectants 

• Baking soda (sprinkle on surface to absorb odor)

• Vinegar 

• Tea tree oil or lavender oil 

Conclusion

Properly cleaning gym equipment after every use is mandatory to keep the gym's environment healthy. Whether you're a gym owner or a cleaning service provider, use an eco-friendly cleaning solution. While toxic solutions may make your job easier, they will harm nature and may indirectly harm human life in the long run. 

Remember, if you are new to the gymnasium business or searching for a reliable cleaning partner, you can consider collective cleaning services because they are the industry leader, and hiring them ensures a spotless gym. Keeping your gym clean is essential, as it actively impacts the profit. 

FAQs

Can I use vinegar to clean gym equipment?

Yes, this is eco-friendly and recommended, but it's not strong enough to disinfect all surfaces.

Do I need special cleaners for electronic gym equipment?

Yes, the digital display and control panel are sensitive parts of gym equipment, but you can go with general cleaning for non-electronic equipment. 

What happens if gym equipment isn’t cleaned properly?

Sweat stains, dart spots, and stinks will impact the gym environment, and it may make members quit your gym.

Is hand sanitizer okay for cleaning equipment?

Yes, it can be used, but it is not an ideal solution for all gym equipment.

How Often Should You Clean Gym Equipment?

All equipment, especially highly touched surfaces, should be cleaned after daily use, and deep cleaning once a week or month is ideal.