As we head into the beginning of flu season, it’s time to think about staying healthy! Unfortunately, many gyms and locker rooms are a perfect environment for harboring nasty buggers such as staph, strep, and MRSA. From sneakers tracking in dirt and other matter, which harbor organisms that can give you stomach flu and hepatitis A, to gym equipment that is only minimally cleaned between uses and can spread colds and flu. At SHIFT, we are conscious of creating if not a germ free environment, at least mitigating the risk by not allowing shoes on the spring floor and regularly cleaning equipment. Still, there are a few practices that help to maintain a germ free environment and keep everyone healthy!
- No shoes on the spring floor! Not only does this help maintain the integrity of the floor but as we workout, hands, faces and bodies are all in contact with the floor and keeping it free of any outside dirt and germs is essential.
- Frequently wash hands before and after taking a class
- If you are sick, stay home. If you have had a fever, been throwing up or had a cough in the past 24 hours please skip class, you’ll be saving your fellow SHIFTers from exposure to your illness and giving your body time to recover.
- If you have a scrape, cut or blister make sure it is fully covered with a bandage during class.
- Wipe down the equipment you use during class. We clean the equipment regularly but if there is a class right after yours we won’t be able to clean before someone else uses it.
- Don’t leave dirty towels or clothes lying around, wet towels or sweaty clothes are a great place for bacteria to thrive so make sure you clean up after yourself!
We are looking forward to a happy and healthy fall with all of our SHIFT members!
