5 Rules for Keeping Yourself And The Gym Clean

Right now, more than ever keeping yourself and anything you touch (especially in public) clean is vital. The entire world is shutting down due to the coronavirus. This includes the place where germs can spread like wildfire...your local gym. Take a deep breath...That won’t be the case forever. Which is why this article is crucial for our future gym goers. The ways we practice cleanliness now, should continue going forward following the quarantine. 

Whether you’re in your home or at the gym I have put together some strategic choices you should make in an effort to stop the spread of viral and bacterial infections. When the time comes, many people won’t play by the same rules. It’s the perfect time to politely teach them if the opportunity is there. Maybe send them this article. 

Rule #1 Wipe Before and After
This is a no brainer and everyone should be doing it at the gym already. With regard to your home, we suggest wiping your surfaces down at least once a day. Especially if you have to leave the house for any reason. Even if you’re a clean freak, don’t sweat a lot, and think you have perfect hygiene, you’re not exempt from wiping your equipment down.

Don’t be like the jerk who loads up the leg press with every 45lb plate and doesn't put the weight back when finishing his workout. Going forward, you’re worse than that guy if you don’t clean off your equipment. If your gym is out of cleaning supply, that isn’t an excuse either. Go and notify the staff. Remember, you’re not just doing this for other people, it’s to protect yourself and set an example. 

Rule #2 Rock The Gloves
Time to make gym gloves cool again. This is an added layer of protection and should be used if you have to go restock your groceries or go out in public for any reason. Nobody can make fun of you for rocking gloves now at the gym. I know, some of you already do. But it used to be cool to earn your calloused hands. Now it’s cool to have clean hands. 

In addition, if you have any handled equipment that you can bring to the gym, now is the time to do it. If you’re going grocery shopping, bring your own bags or boxes. Not only will you be cleaner, but you’re also helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. 

Rule #3 Reduce Your Radius 
For the gym, (once we can go back) maybe hold off letting someone “work in” and pump the breaks on doing supersets and giant sets. Choose the machine you are going to use. Wipe it down before you begin and plant yourself there until you’re finished with the workout. It isn’t rude to tell someone they can’t “work in”. 

This also means where you go and how often. If you can buy a couple of weeks worth of food online and have it dropped off at your door or do a store pick up, then take advantage of it. If not, go into stores as few times as possible. Do as much of your shopping as possible in one stop. Not everyone is taking this virus as seriously as you. Once the quarantine is lifted, keep this rule as part of your routine. Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re being paranoid either. If they do, just send them the link to this article. 

Rule #4 Stay Off The Floor 
The floor tracks in more germs than any surface in the gym or in public. This includes the mats used for crunches, stretching, etc. If you need to workout on the floor, clean it as best you can and then bring your own mat to use. Be conscious of this in the locker room too. Don’t walk around barefoot and get in and out fast. At home, take your shoes off and clean your floors at least once a week. You will track in germs from outside, so this is an important step a lot of you might try and neglect. 

Rule #5 Don’t Quit
Build these habits into your routine over the duration of your quarantine and the next few months. They will feel like second nature before you know it. Also, don’t let this keep you from training. We offer a lot of great At-Home workouts too. Staying home more often and getting a workout in will help reduce Rule #3. Get resourceful with how you train, or maybe find some odd times to go to the gym. Do your workouts and shopping during days/times of the week when less people are out and about.

Share this article with your friends to help spread the good news. Let us know what you think and if we missed any good tips to keep clean. 

By: Rich Wilkins

Chief Content Officer

MAN Sports