How to approach wiping down to others...

Frelise

The gym I go to only has one trainer that I know of. He's... eh, nice enough, but I've noticed every person he trains he'll go around with them and do all sorts of exercises/ machines and wont clean them down nor have the person... and it's kind of annoying. He WORKS there, don't you think he should have cleanliness a priority?

I want to say something, but I'm terribly shy and I really don't want anyone to get mad at me... What would you do? Has this happened at your gym?

And on the topic, do you ever mention it to fellow members to wipe down when they're done if they don't? I hate being the anal stick-in-the-mud, but if I can do it after every machine (regardless if I visibly sweat on it) so can everyone else. I shouldn't have to clean them down before & after use.

/end rant

slkehl

If he works there, it's probably best to submit an anonymous complaint to the gym.

pastryari

Nope. When I was going to the gym, I'd never wipe down the machines when I was done. I wipe them down BEFORE I get onto them because I'm not going to trust that a stranger did it for me.

pucenavel

He works there and knows that wiping down the machines has about zero effect on sanitization.

Sherylmarlee

Your post is exactly why I wipe down before and after using any of the machines! So, personally, it wouldn't phase me one way or the other. But, he should be setting a better example at least.

Long_and_Lean

He works there and knows that wiping down the machines has about zero effect on sanitization.

It does if the gym provides an antiseptic spray. But if there is no such cleanser, then I'll have to agree with you.

TheGsMama

I don't wipe down exercise equipment at the gym after I use it unless I leave sweat trails and only wipe something down before I use if it is still wet from the last user. I am just not that much of a germaphobe. I wash my hands immediately after I am done and call it good.

Yes2HealthyAriel

I have never seen anyone wipe down equipment at a gym EVER!!!!

dad106

So you wipe down a machine and then there is most likely a stream of people behind you who don't give a flying hockey puck and go about their workout regardless? You realize that it's kind of pointless to spend so much time doing that when most people don't care.. right?

If you are that freaked out about germs that you go around insisting everyone be like you, just workout at home.

When I'm at the gym, I pretty much figure that all the machines have had people sweating on them all day and that no matter how much I wipe down a machine, it will never truly be clean.

Ready2Rock206

I do wipe down my machines, although I highly doubt a little swipe with a paper towel would actually do much against bacteria, etc. I a fan of germs though - builds the immune system.

jynxxxed

I have met countless people getting MRSA who worked at a gym/worked out often and didn't really bother with cleanliness. Even if wiping the machine down might not 100% protect me, I'm at least going to try.

islandnutshel

When you go to the gym, do you wash your hands before and after using the equipment? Bring your own regularly cleaned mat for floor exercises? Shower with antibacterial soap and put on clean clothes immediately after your workout? Use only your own towels, razors, bar soap, water bottles?

The above are good idea's for preventing infection. If you want a more detailed explanation:
http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/position-statement-skin-disease.pdf

pucenavel

When did our society become so germophobic?

I ask you to take the 'cleanliness factor' you are applying to the health club and put it in the grocery store.

Do you wash all of you canned products before you put them in your cupboard? Do you wash off the boxes for you frozen, low-fat entrees? Do you sterilize the bottle of dishsoap before you set it next to the sink?

All of those things were touched by humans at some point in their manufacture. Humans that sweat, pee, poop, sneeze and flake off dead skin cells at the rate of millions a day.

I dare you to do some swabs and cultures in your own kitchen. I'll bet you 10 to 1 that the average piece of exercise equipment has less variety of microbes than the counter next to your kitchen sink or the vegetable drawer in your fridge.

Superbritt2drescu

I'd wipe the machine down myself and glare at who ever didn't. I'm just that way.
I use our antibacterial wipes and wipe the machines before and after I use them.

postrockandcats

I don't care if the machines are sterilized, but for Pete's sake- if the machine is dripping with your sweat when you get up, could you at least get a towel to dry it off?? That's my only beef. I use the sterilized wipes at my gym because that's just what you do at mine.

pucenavel

...and just to clarify...

I DO wipe down the equipment I use. Not because it's sanitary; not because sweat is gross; not because I don't want to be accosted by the "wipe brigade". I do it because there is a sign on the wall that states it as a rule.

Rules are rules.

meshashesha2012

When did our society become so germophobic?

I ask you to take the 'cleanliness factor' you are applying to the health club and put it in the grocery store.

Do you wash all of you canned products before you put them in your cupboard? Do you wash off the boxes for you frozen, low-fat entrees? Do you sterilize the bottle of dishsoap before you set it next to the sink?

All of those things were touched by humans at some point in their manufacture. Humans that sweat, pee, poop, sneeze and flake off dead skin cells at the rate of millions a day.

I dare you to do some swabs and cultures in your own kitchen. I'll bet you 10 to 1 that the average piece of exercise equipment has less variety of microbes than the counter next to your kitchen sink or the vegetable drawer in your fridge.

i like your style.

sheesh people it's a PUBLIC gym. as long as you arent sitting on the equipment with open wounds what are you worried about?

you're not going to get ebola from a friggin' leg extension seat. :laugh: if you guys are so concerned with things being uber sanitary and sterilized why oh why are you working out in public gyms and then expecting everyone else to have your level of obsession? i know people who are like that about bathrooms and guess what, they just dont use public restrooms because they know that not everyone is as diligent as they are.

in any case, i'm a sweater so i generally put down a towel on a back and on the seat when i sit down anyway.

Laces_0ut

When did our society become so germophobic?

I ask you to take the 'cleanliness factor' you are applying to the health club and put it in the grocery store.

Do you wash all of you canned products before you put them in your cupboard? Do you wash off the boxes for you frozen, low-fat entrees? Do you sterilize the bottle of dishsoap before you set it next to the sink?

All of those things were touched by humans at some point in their manufacture. Humans that sweat, pee, poop, sneeze and flake off dead skin cells at the rate of millions a day.

I dare you to do some swabs and cultures in your own kitchen. I'll bet you 10 to 1 that the average piece of exercise equipment has less variety of microbes than the counter next to your kitchen sink or the vegetable drawer in your fridge.

i like your style.

sheesh people it's a PUBLIC gym. as long as you arent sitting on the equipment with open wounds what are you worried about?

you're not going to get ebola from a friggin' leg extension seat. :laugh: if you guys are so concerned with things being uber sanitary and sterilized why oh why are you working out in public gyms and then expecting everyone else to have your level of obsession? i know people who are like that about bathrooms and guess what, they just dont use public restrooms because they know that not everyone is as diligent as they are.

in any case, i'm a sweater so i generally put down a towel on a back and on the seat when i sit down anyway.

and i like YOUR style!

i dont care if someone wipes it down before me. ive played so many sports and have been sweated on so much it means nothing to me.

when people complain it makes me think of this.

joeyplatypus92

200,000 years ago: our ancestors ate raw meat, didnt wash hands, etc.


Present: why does no one wipe of the equipment?!?!?!




honestly someone needs to say it, you need to metaphorically; grow a pair and man up.

smhammons

People have you ever wondered why we are all sick anymore? Not getting you daily dose of germs is why.:ohwell:

Vonwarr

I wipe down equipment after I use it. More because if I'm using it properly, chances are I'm sweating all over it. Not so much fun for the next person to sit down in a cold puddle of sweat, or have their hands slip off the grips because I left them sweaty.

To all you people waxing hyperbolic about wiping down equipment by immediately equating it to full sterilization - I ask, what ever happened to politeness and respect for your fellow man? 5s of your time, and people will say "What a nice guy" as opposed to "That guy is an *kitten*".

Laces_0ut

I wipe down equipment after I use it. More because if I'm using it properly, chances are I'm sweating all over it. Not so much fun for the next person to sit down in a cold puddle of sweat, or have their hands slip off the grips because I left them sweaty.

To all you people waxing hyperbolic about wiping down equipment by immediately equating it to full sterilization - I ask, what ever happened to politeness and respect for your fellow man? 5s of your time, and people will say "What a nice guy" as opposed to "That guy is an *kitten*".

even though i dont get the fixation with all the wipinig i do wipe down after i use the equipment for the reason you state.

Mighty_Rabite

I'll always wipe a machine down if I'm sweating onto it, or someone sweat onto it before me and it isn't clean, but other than that, I don't worry about it so much.

meshashesha2012

I wipe down equipment after I use it. More because if I'm using it properly, chances are I'm sweating all over it. Not so much fun for the next person to sit down in a cold puddle of sweat, or have their hands slip off the grips because I left them sweaty.

To all you people waxing hyperbolic about wiping down equipment by immediately equating it to full sterilization - I ask, what ever happened to politeness and respect for your fellow man? 5s of your time, and people will say "What a nice guy" as opposed to "That guy is an *kitten*".

so you're equating someone remembering to wipe down a machine to how much respect someone has to their fellow human? that's the pot calling the kettle hyperbolic :laugh:

sometimes people forget, sometimes people dont have a towel, sometimes people are so in the zone they arent even thinking about how much they are sweating. although i do wipe down things when i'm done (and yes, i refuse to do that ridiculous cleaning the machine down with spray and wipes that seems to be more and more popular) i'm not going to run after someone with a pitchfork just because they dont do it. maybe i would if i heard of cases of people dropping dead - or at least dropping into a coma - from dried sweatitis.

and oh yeah by the way, my sweaty hands were ALL OVER that water fountain at the gym, the handles of the classroom doors. not to mention my sweaty butt and armpits on the foam roller and exercise balls :laugh: i guess i dont understand why people freak out about sweat on machines but dont think about all the other sweaty places in the gym. at least I've seen workers clean machines, I have NEVER seen anyone clean a foam roller.

forgot to mention i've seen guys spit and blow snot rockets in the weight room when they thought no one was looking. the entire gym is one big hotbead of filth and germs

DavPul

He works there and knows that wiping down the machines has about zero effect on sanitization.

Yep. I mean, if we're talking a bench that's slathered in mangrease, then I'd expect a wipe as a common courtesy. If you want everyone to hose down a dry bench just because they once sat down on it, it's not helping anything and your killing extra trees for no reason.

Edited to actually answer your question: if someone left a sweaty bench that I wanted to use, i point at it and say, "Canyougetthat?" Also works if they left 20 plates on the leg press. never had a problem. Personally, if someone asked me to clean my mess I'd apologize and hop to it, but if instead they complained about me to the desk I'd go into full on ahole mode. Just be direct. Most people are cool with that.

DavPul

200,000 years ago: our ancestors ate raw meat, didnt wash hands, etc.


Present: why does no one wipe of the equipment?!?!?!




honestly someone needs to say it, you need to metaphorically; grow a pair and man up.

To be fair, our ancestors had a life expectancy of 28 years old. But I'm with you on this anyway.

Ocarina

I wipe down machines if they look grody and I'll do it when I'm done even if I don't sweat because I think its a courteous thing to do. I wouldn't want to touch someone else's sweat stains... I'm sure they won't want to touch mine. Germs are germs. Not too worried about actually catching something.

fawndam

Yep!! that is the only way to keep safe....

fawndam

Shower before and after...you keep others safe and yourself.....ask the mgr of the gym what their cleaning routine is...

oreillyn

If he works there, it's probably best to submit an anonymous complaint to the gym.

AGREE!!!!

JessyJ03

...and just to clarify...

I DO wipe down the equipment I use. Not because it's sanitary; not because sweat is gross; not because I don't want to be accosted by the "wipe brigade". I do it because there is a sign on the wall that states it as a rule.

Rules are rules.

This. Our gym also has these signs all over the place. I'm not a freak about it if someone doesn't do it but I take the time to do it myself.