Think about all the germy hands and sweaty bodies that have come in contact with each piece of gym equipment. Realizing this, we decided to place our sticker in the gym at the Campus Club Student Apartments on the corner of 56th St. and Fletcher Ave. Many people use this gym equipment everyday and some of them seldom use the sanitizing wipes located right next to gym rules. Honestly, how many people do you really think actually look at the gym rules sign?
This represents public health because sanitizing wipes in the gym will help reduce communicable infections since bacteria and viruses can spread in multiple ways. This particular gym is shared by hundreds of residents and you can’t control who uses it. You also can’t monitor every individual and require the residents to use the wipes even though it's a common courtesy to wipe the machine down after using it. There is usually no one there to enforce the use of the wipes either. Residents should know that wiping down the equipment before you use a machine will help protect themselves from the possible pathogens that have been left behind by the previous user.
In addition, wiping down the machine after you use it is a good way of setting an example of what others should be doing. The more people who do it, the more it will become a common practice. If no one does it then other people may think it’s not a big deal. This is important because in times of an epidemic, such as the swine flu, it will help reduce the chance of people becoming infected. Many residents use this gym, but may not be following good sanitation practices! Hopefully this sticker will allow people to stop and think about the purpose of the sanitizing wipes and use one.
This represents public health because sanitizing wipes in the gym will help reduce communicable infections since bacteria and viruses can spread in multiple ways. This particular gym is shared by hundreds of residents and you can’t control who uses it. You also can’t monitor every individual and require the residents to use the wipes even though it's a common courtesy to wipe the machine down after using it. There is usually no one there to enforce the use of the wipes either. Residents should know that wiping down the equipment before you use a machine will help protect themselves from the possible pathogens that have been left behind by the previous user.
In addition, wiping down the machine after you use it is a good way of setting an example of what others should be doing. The more people who do it, the more it will become a common practice. If no one does it then other people may think it’s not a big deal. This is important because in times of an epidemic, such as the swine flu, it will help reduce the chance of people becoming infected. Many residents use this gym, but may not be following good sanitation practices! Hopefully this sticker will allow people to stop and think about the purpose of the sanitizing wipes and use one.
Group members: Ali DeBono, Sarah McPhee, Shelly Desale
Being an active member at a gym I find it disgusting when people do not use the sanitizing wipes that are provided. Seeing people hold onto the rails of a treadmill after not being wiped down, just imagining how much bacteria is being transferred, makes me beleive that more should be done to ensure they are used. Wanting to be a nurse, sanitation is definiately a priority for me and those I come into contact with. Also, I praise this gym for even having these available because some gyms do not even provide them or the container is always empty! People should use the sanitizer wipes for their own safety and for the health of others who wish to use the equipment as well because it promotes public health and is just sanitary.
ReplyDeleteThe use of sanitary wipes at any gym facility is of the utmost importance. Not to mention the "blood, sweat, and tears" so-to-speak that are left on each and every machine, but also the germs from the users if they are sick or do not wash their hands that are left on these machines without further thought. I wish that more people would use the sanitary wipes at the gym as a courtesy to everyone else. I will most definitely think more about what is actually on these machines the next time I go to the gym!
ReplyDeleteI go to the gym on regular bases, and I am sorry to say that every time I go I see at least one person who doesn’t wipe the machine after his/her work out. I get really shocked by this, people who are aware of the workout benefits, should be aware of the importance of sanitary wipes. People should use the sanitary wipes before and after they use the machine. It is a known fact that keeping clean hands is the most important step of preventing sickness. We should put signs around to remind people, even if they don’t feel sick they still might be carriers and might get someone else sick.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should put sanitary wipes, like a napkin box, on every single machine by the cup holder. Then people don’t have to walk up to the spray by the wall, and they have no reason to skip this most important step in preventing illness.
You guys chose a great place to put that sticker. Just like everyone here I also go to the gym on a regular and I notice alot of people sweating on the machines and not wiping them off. Also those same people do not wash their hands when they come out of the bathroom. So wipes helps prevent sickness that could be transferred by just a simple touch. For those people who don't wipe should start wiping and those who make excuses, just think that your sickness could be avoided by a simple wipe.
ReplyDeleteI have just started working out at the REC center and noticed these wipe stations scattered throughout the workout equipment. I find these sanitary wipes crucial at preventing the spread of bacteria and germs. Prevention is a primary health measure used to ensure public health safety. I love these wipes and use them after each workout set and I see others at the gym using them as well. The use of these sanitary wipes is an excellent way to prevent the spread of germs and I give kudos to USF for putting them in the REC center.
ReplyDeleteThe practice of wiping down gym equipment has been drilled in my head. A friend of mine graduated with an Exercise Science degree and now works in a gym full time. People not sanitizing the equipment after using it is one of her biggest pet peeves. It's common courtesy to others who come and use the same equipment after you. People go to the gym to improve their physical health, not to come in contact with germs that could potentially harm their physical health. I think sanitizing at the gym is very important for public health.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great place to place your sticker! I work in a gym actually and cleanliness is one major rules we try to enforce. Every time I teach and train I try and get members to clean up before and after themselves not only just on the machines, but on their hands as well. We have signs posted everywhere and still people don’t seem to want to take a second to sanitize for people who will use the machine next or even for themselves. The gym is one of the worst places to catch a disease or virus and if people just knew to clean the chances could be reduced tremendously! This is definitely a public health issue! Nice blog guys!
ReplyDeleteI go to the USF Gym almost everyday and I try to make it a habit to use the sanitation wipes once I'm done working out. If you really think about all of the germs in there especially after working out, it's disgusting. Since so many people use the gym each and everyday, it would be easy for anyone to contract germs and get sick. This is a great place to put the Public Health sticker to remind people to stay healthy and keep the gym as germ free as possible.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys did a post about this subject. As a frequent gym-goer, I have been to so many gyms that have sanitation wipes readily available and others that do not have anything at all. It is true, that seeing other people use the wipes has an effect on everyone. At my other gym I would always use the wipes because everyone did, but recently I have been to gyms that do not have wipes or some that are not in plain view. I have to admit, I sometimes forget to wipe down machines after use at those places.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this blog, too many times I have worked out and observed people sweating profusely on machines. When they are finished they just walk away and not have the common courtesy to wipe the machine down, although cleaning materials are located within an arms length. What some people fail to realize is as they practice hygiene in other areas of their lives they should do so in the gym as well, because this is a breeding ground for many different germs as a result of their being so many people coming in and out constantly. And as you would not use the bathroom and walk away without washing your hands more people need to use that principle at the gym.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that sanitation of the gym equipments is the essential approach to reach better public health outcome. All machines located in the gym contain an enormous number of germs that can come into direct contact with the human beings. All people working out, and sharing the same machines are extremely susceptible to get infected since the germs have the open way to the individual's skin and fluids. I strongly agree that making sanitation available in the community places is the extremely important public health approach to contribute to the population's better health condition.
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