Appendix #2
Club Cleanliness: IHRSA’s Tips & Tactics To Help Your Members Remain Healthy
Keeping your club clean and protecting your members against illness is a year-round endeavor. However, staying healthy
during cold and flu season is sometimes tougher when everyone around you is coughing and sniffling. Research from
University of Arizona microbiologist, Dr. Charles Gerba, found a person infected with a cold or flu can leave a trail of viruses
on every surface he or she touches at home, in the club, in the office and elsewhere. Dr. Gerba found that some cold and
flu viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours. Maintaining a clean and healthy facility is a benefit to members and
employees alike.
Revisit the club’s existing cleaning and maintenance plan with all key staff and contractors.
* Make sure staff are trained and implementing current plan(s).
* Revisit the plan to determine what changes, if any, may be required.
* Make sure equipment and locker rooms receive interim inspections and cleanings immediately before and
after your prime-time traffic periods.
* Encourage staff to wash hands regularly with hot water and soap. Provide protective gloves for staff and
employees, especially cleaning staff.
* Revisit local health codes and regulations to confirm your facility is in compliance.
Keep disinfecting wipes and/or spray available in fitness center.
* Make sure spray bottles filled with a disinfecting solution, towels and/or disposable disinfecting wipes are
available to members upon request to wipe down surfaces and equipment.
* Post signage and reminders asking members to clean equipment after use.
* Assign staff to periodically inspect/clean equipment and surfaces in locker rooms throughout the day.
Make your club’s laundry cleaner (if you provide towel and/or laundry service).
* Reduce the risk of spreading disease-causing bacteria and viruses by using bleach when washing club towels.
* Use the hottest water possible and hottest heat setting on dryers for all laundry.
* Avoid overfilling washers. Overloaded washers are less effective.
* Avoid allowing used towels to pile up for extended periods of time; research has shown that some types of
bacteria can survive and thrive in the laundry.
Educate your members.
* Remind members that regular exercise improves one’s immune system.
* Encourage members to report cleanliness concerns to senior staff, and have a system in place for responding
promptly to members.
* Encourage members to wash hands regularly with hot water and soap.
* Interview a local physician, and collect information from online resources such as www.cdc.gov, then share
some common tips for protecting oneself in member newsletters or special mailings.
2008 IHRSA’s Guide to Health Club Cleanliness 13
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