company ties monthly bonuses for managers Implementing a cleanliness policy and
Table11. Most commonly cited club
to club cleanliness. Protocols may consist of procedure and developing a team approach cleanliness procedures.
several action points, but the most common to club hygiene were popular solutions
one identified in this study is simply to among operators. Operators also considered
What steps do you take when receiving a
complaint from members about the cleanli-
clean up the area cited (see Table 11). hiring an employee or contractor to be
ness of the health club?
In addition to implementing a cleaning responsible for maintaining a clean club.
protocol for staff, operators also communi- Bob Shoulders, owner, Fayetteville Athletic
cate cleanliness standards to members Club in Fayetteville, AR, has a cleaning
Operators
+
through five common means (see Table 12). staff available at all times, as does Melcher,
Clean area 91%
Many use the provision of cleaning products who has a whole department dedicated
to inform members and staff about cleaning. to housekeeping managed by a full-time
Inform member 66%
For example, Melcher stresses, “We focus housekeeping director. However, both
on providing products throughout the club. operators stress that all club staff must
Tell manager 64%
There are hand sanitization stations for work as a team and are expected to help out.
members everywhere and we have disin- Melcher explains, “I don’t work in the café,
Document
complaint
57%
fectant wipes all over the club for members but if I see that the trash is full, I will empty
to use when wiping down machines.” it. We expect everyone, regardless of job
+
Multiple mentions allowed; may add up to more
Club cleanliness is such an integral part description, to pitch in.” Although these
than 100%.
of Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club’s suggestions can be implemented with rela-
operating culture that it is part of their tive ease, no single approach will accomplish home the importance of a clean club and
Employee Participation Program. Cherry Hill’s club cleanliness, and there are several other ensure that staff members are current on
general manager, Kosa, explains that the new considerations operators must bear in mind cleaning procedures.
staff orientation involves basic instructions as they aspire to promote and maintain an
such as “learning how to use the photocopier, impeccable club (see Appendix #2): Conduct frequent inspections. Inspections
introducing yourself to the manager, picking are especially important before and after
up pieces of trash inside and outside the Know and communicate the reasons for club peak times, as staff members can ensure
club, etc. Actively keeping a club clean is an cleanliness. Keeping a club clean starts with the club is clean before the “workout
important part of our club culture.” all owners and staff team members under- rush” and clean up right after the club’s
standing the importance of cleanliness. busiest times. Consistently checking for
Suggestions for Improvement Communicate and revisit cleaning protocols. cleanliness throughout the day will also
When asked what can be done to improve One-time training at point of hire may not help maintain cleanliness during overall
health club cleanliness, managers and be enough to emphasize club cleanliness. hours of operation.
owners had a few common suggestions. Regular training or refreshers will drive
Encourage personal accountability among
staff. Sound staff hygiene practices are just
Table12. Operators communicate cleanliness standards by providing cleaning prod-
as important as consistent club cleanliness
ucts to inform members and staff about cleaning.
protocols. Staff members can serve as
a good example for members. As safety
How does the gym or health club you work for inform members and staff about cleaning?
precautions and personal cleanliness initia-
tives, encourage frequent hand washing
TYPES OF CLEANING INITIATIVES USED FOR MEMBER AWARENESS
and use of instant hand sanitizer.
Operators
+
Encourage members to be advocates for a
Spray bottles and paper towels 76%
clean club. Use signs and newsletters to
tell members about your commitment to
Signs around workout areas 65%
a clean club, and invite them to voice any
concerns about cleanliness so the issue
Disposable wipes near workout areas 60%
can be addressed. Reduce the spread of
Cleaning log detailing by who & when area was cleaned 51%
germs by providing instant hand sanitizer
at strategic locations throughout your
Member newsletter announcements 34%
club. Provide the products necessary
for members to wipe down equipment
+
Multiple mentions allowed; may add up to more than 100%. after use and create attitudinal norms by
encouraging this behavior.
2008 IHRSA’s Guide to Health Club Cleanliness 11
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