How to Clean a Weight Room

Regular cleaning can make your weight room a more healthy place.

A weight room is a room that contains an assortment of equipment designed specifically for strength training. Keeping a weight room clean and orderly prevents equipment-related accidents and germ or bacteria transmission from shared equipment. Regularly disinfecting places where bodies and hands come into contact with equipment will help keep users safe, especially during flu season.

Things You'll Need

• Antimicrobial disinfectant spray
• Hand sanitizer gel
• Floor cleanser
• Glass cleaner

Instructions

Daily

1. 

   Spray and wipe equipment with disinfecting spray.

   Spray and wipe each piece of stationary equipment with antimicrobial disinfectant spray, such as Lysol or Clorox, and a paper towel. Cleanse the areas that come into contact with body parts (hand grips, seats, arm rests, leg rests and so on). Spray and wipe down each piece of handheld equipment with disinfectant spray and a paper towel. This includes jump rope handles, exercise balls, dumbbells, weight plates and bars.

2. 

   Provide hand sanitizing gel.

   Supply several containers of sanitizing hand gel around the weight room near the equipment stations and encourage people to use it. Post signs above the containers to call people's attention to it.

3. 

   Keep the floor and mats clean.

   Sweep the floor or vacuum if it is carpeted and wet mop the mats under stationary equipment with water and floor cleanser.

4. 

   Empty all the trash and disinfect the trash bins.

   Wipe down the rims of trash bins with disinfectant spray after you empty them.

5. Remove and wash any used towels or cloths so that they do not provide a breeding ground for mold, mildew, viruses or bacteria.

6. 

   Wipe down knobs and latches.

   Wipe down and disinfect any door knobs or latches.

Weekly

1. 

   Clean all glass surfaces.

   Wipe all glass surfaces, such as windows and mirrors in the weight room, with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

2. 

   Dusting discourages germ growth.

   Dust window and door sills, desktops, all stationary equipment, weights and weight storage racks.

3. 

   Unclog or replace dirty filters.

   Check the air filters and heating ducts for accumulated dust and debris. Clogged filters and ducts do not efficiently recycle air into the room and are breeding grounds for germs.

4. 

   Keep carpets clean.

   Examine any carpeting for signs of excessive dirt or wear. If dirty, shampoo the carpet, and if worn, replace it.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if fitness facilities hire weight room attendants to keep the weight rooms clean and safe, everyone who uses the equipment should still take steps to ensure your own safety.

• Avoid using alcohol-based cleansers for wiping down upholstery on weight equipment. This can dry and weaken the upholstery and cause it to crack.

• Do not use polishing agents or cleansers on the weight equipment or floor mats, as they can cause slippage.

References

• The Free Library: A Weight Room Safety Checklist
• Athletic Business: Facility Planning & Operations: Maintenance & Repair
• L&T Health and Fitness: Corporate Wellness Employment