Coaches Corner: How to Sanitize Your Home Workout Gear

Sep 25

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In the modern age, we all know the importance of sanitizing your workout equipment. As well as keeping it safe, sanitization is needed to stop germs that could be on your workout gear, and these are what can cause a nasty smell over time. Nobody wants to have a home gym or room with workout gear that causes you to gag as soon as you walk in. Learn how to clean your home gym.

In this guide, we’re going over the ideal ways to clean your home gym equipment both for your safety and to keep it smelling pleasant in there. Adding sprays afterward will probably only mask the smell, so thorough cleaning is not just a positive but an essential part of having a home gym.

What You Need to Clean Fitness Equipment

Disinfecting wipes – These sorts of wipes can be purchased online or even from the supermarket; they can be ideal for giving fitness equipment a quick once-over after use. Also, there are bleach-free and alcohol-free disinfecting wipes that will not destroy the surfaces of your equipment.
Homemade vinegar solution – White vinegar and baking soda can be powerful options for tackling fitness equipment due to their antimicrobial properties and the fact you won’t need any sort of chemical solutions.
Disinfectant spray – You’ve probably seen someone in the gym using disinfectant spray on the equipment. They might contain some chemicals, but this is okay for a well-ventilated space.
Dish soap – The classic dish soap is another option. If it’s good enough for cleaning the items you use to eat and drink, then it can certainly do the job for your fitness gear.
Clean Microfiber Cloths – Microfiber cloths do a great job of providing a thorough clean without being too abrasive, so they won’t scratch your equipment.
DIY recipe – DIY recipes often include some form of vinegar, but they can also include essential oils that may help with the smell of the room, too.

Floors

A lot of people forget to give the floors a proper cleaning, especially if their workout space is in the garage. You may well sweat on the floor and spend time doing sit-ups or yoga in contact with the floor, so it needs to be cleaned.

It’s a good idea to look for thorough cleaning instructions based on the type of flooring, as not all floors are the same. Some need specific cleaning products, for instance, if you have a carpeted floor.

Treadmill

Your treadmill absolutely needs to be unplugged before you do any cleaning. Disinfecting wipes can be a great way to clean the treadmill. Give them a wipe down, and make sure you get in any awkward areas. Let the machine dry thoroughly before you turn it on again.

Exercise Bike

Whatever type of exercise bike you have, whether it is an elliptical bike or a recumbent bike, it is likely that you make contact with it a lot. These sorts of areas that you touch all the time can carry and spread germs. Make sure you dust the bike down before you spray or use disinfectant wipes to get a thorough and complete clean. Dry it before using it again.

Free Weights and Weight Benches

These are relatively simple to clean, but you need to be cautious and make sure they don’t get too slippery, especially if you plan to use them again quickly. Spray them down with a disinfectant spray or other solution, and then let them dry. They need time to kill all the bacteria.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands can be tricky to clean. They tend to be floppy, and because they can stretch and flex around a lot, it can be hard to get a thorough clean. On top of this, some cleaning materials can make the bands wear down.

Swill the resistance bands around in warm water after you have used them, ensuring there is some dish soap in there, too. This means that you can ensure all of the parts of the surface area of the band get some antibacterial solution on them. Leave them out to dry, but not directly in the sun because this can also make the bands deteriorate.

Yoga Mat

Another “high contact” area is a yoga mat. Even if you haven’t been using any sitting or lying positions, the yoga mat can still get a lot of sweat on it. Use disinfectant spray, vinegar, water, essential oils, and even antibacterial wipes to cleanse the surface.

Once you have done this, you can hang it outside or over a shower curtain while it dries, but keep in mind the fact that you shouldn’t hang it in direct sunlight.

Clean and Disinfect Other Surfaces in Your Home Gym

There are some other areas that can easily be forgotten about within your home gym. Make sure all surfaces get a good clean. Some surfaces or items include:

Bench press
Other machinery
Pull-up bar
Bluetooth speakers
Kettlebells
Medicine balls
Mirror
A sound system
Walls
Racks
Wall-mounted fixtures
Shelves/table tops
Stools/chairs

Everyone’s home gym is different, so it is important that you do a quick scan around. If you really want to, you can even create a list of things that you need to clean after every use. Remember that “high contact” areas that you keep touching throughout your workout are a top priority. This might include your phone as you trigger music or your favorite podcasts.

Conclusion

Regular exercise is vital to stay healthy, and you are one of the lucky ones if you have a home gym, but if you are working out somewhere that becomes unsanitary, then you have the added risk of germs and even disease to go along with the unpleasant smells that can develop.

Follow our guide to make sure your home workout equipment is always sanitary and ready to use for both you and your guests and minimize any chances of becoming ill as a result of working out. A few simple cleaning rituals go a long way to creating a safe and secure environment and one that doesn’t smell awful either.

This Coaches Corner is brought to you by Mariam, a Hygiene Specialist working with SONO Healthcare. She has been interested in health and cleaning issues since she was young and wants to share her knowledge and experience with others who are not indifferent to cleanup. On a regular basis, she delivers new cleaning expert advice on how to treat products, tools, and different items, which sometimes include medical instruments and equipment as well. Learn more about Disinfectant wipes, sprays & hand sanitizers at the SONO Healthcare Website to clean your home gym.