MAINTAINING EXERCISE EQUIPMENT DURING COVID 19 AND BEYOND

A few thoughts from our Minnesota commercial sales rep Chad Witt- 

We asked several customers about what thoughts they had during these challenging COVID-19 times as we anticipate the ability to re-open gyms, increase occupancy, and utilize additional equipment as restrictions are loosened. Listed below is some insight provided by our knowledgeable service technicians Dave Wesley and Adam Grosse based upon what they have been seeing in the client’s facilities.

What should I expect to see from my cardiovascular equipment with my equipment’s increased cleaning and disinfection during Covid-19?

When cleaning and disinfection equipment is done correctly, you shouldn’t notice much change. Following recommended procedures for all cleaning products is essential to equipment longevity. 

As a reminder, you MUST clean your equipment with manufacturer-recommended neutral cleaners when possible or industry-approved disinfectant wipes.  

What you can expect to see due to the increased exposure moisture in cleaning products, especially from sprays bottle use and chronic disinfecting fogging sprayers: 

We have recently encountered cleaning spray’s being left to sit on machines and not being wiped off promptly. This can lead to costly repairs and will cause extensive damage, including frame corrosion and replacement components that were never intended to be replaced during ownership.

Additional problems that can occur from improper care-

• Deterioration of electronics ports and connections

• Nonfunctioning headphone jacks

• Not being able to connect to USB ports 

Moisture exposure on consoles and machines can lead to: 

• Damaged touch consoles

• Damaged electronics boards

• Clouded readout displays.
  

Buildup of moisture from non recommended cleaning products that are allowed to sit on equipment without being wiped off dry will:

• Staining and damage your painted surfaces

• Dry and cracked plastic components

• Dried out and cracked upholstery

• Discoloration & fading

• Strength equipment has premature and atypical corrosion

• Corrosion on equipment where it shouldn’t be occurring (chromed guide rods)

• Leaching cleaner under belt and deck wears our belts very quickly

• Moisture and substantial chemicals seepage into seams on consoles and can damage touch consoles, electronics boards, and read-out displays, requiring replacement
  

What should I expect from my equipment as I have moved some out of my cardiovascular area or have put “do not use” signs on that have not been utilized for months during shutdown and meeting spacing guidelines? 

• Expect to have some subtle squeaks and noises come from pieces being pulled out of storage. 

• Drive belts get a little stiff and rigid but should quiet down with a couple of days of usage.

• Dead batteries will be an occurrence if your equipment has not been utilized during this time. These pieces may include but are not limited to (Ellipticals, bikes, AMT’s, Nusteps). These batteries will discharge during this time and are like a car battery in that they need intermittent use to keep it in good working order. If your piece(s) are giving an error code or low battery notice when they are started up again, you can utilize them and see if they recharge with a couple of good workouts. If these persist, you will likely need to replace them, typically ranging from $60-100 apiece.
  

If you have any questions or concerns about this, please reach out to your P3 account representative or service technician to discuss recommendations and best practices to minimize long-term and excessive damage to your facility’s equipment.

Here is a bit more information from CFE Services Jim Zurfluh:

Take Action – Protocols that Protect Your Staff, Guests, and Members.

The recent pandemic has shown how viruses can travel throughout our communities. But well before SARS-CoV-2, there was MRSSA, Staph, E Coli, H1N1, etc. This calls into question: how are we cleaning and disinfecting our spaces?

We have identified these base protocols to be adequate protection no matter what type of business you operate.

• Antiseptic Wipes – we provide FDA-approved antiseptic wipes that safely slow and stop germs’ growth on hands and equipment. Provide them to those in your facility to clean high touch points before and after use. We also provide dispensers, whether free-standing or wall-mounted, as well as EPA List N Disinfecting Wipes for your staff to use.

• Electrostatic Disinfecting – EvaClean PURTABS applied with a Protexus Electrostatic Sprayer kills SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses and bacteria in 1 minute. Disinfectant spray wraps 360 degrees around surfaces, covering more areas more efficiently and more effectively. PURTABS are easy to stock and safe to use – no chemical solutions or risks with mixing or storing.

• 24/7 Continuous Air Disinfecting – Air Purifiers with ActivePure by Aerus continuously decontaminate your facility. ActivePure has been proven to kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces by an FDA-compliant lab. It’s not only filtering contaminants, and it’s sending powerful hydroxyls into the air that kill 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and mold in the air and on surfaces. Several models are available to cover different size spaces with specific needs. Reduce allergy symptoms and seasonal viruses leading to absences.

• Large Scale Disinfecting – if you need to disinfect large areas in a short period, The Cart with an airless sprayer can help you cover an entire building in much less time. Self-contained and mobile to cover multiple spaces and large campuses.

• Test Your Protocol – verify that your cleaning protocols are effective with ATP Testing. Allows you to easily measure how clean surfaces (and other samples) are at a microscopic scale in just a few seconds. Widely used by medical and food service facilities, the ATP Testing Device can identify if your cleaning and disinfecting are effective or where changes must be made.

• UV Device Disinfecting – the UVOne Touchless Device Disinfection Station provides a 6-log kill in 30 seconds for personal items such as cell phones, pads, keys, or badges. It won’t degrade devices or cases. It opens and closes with the wave of your hand. Cell phones are the dirtiest objects we encounter every day – over 25k bacteria per sq. inch.

Beyond the amenities we already provide your business, we are stocking these items to help you protect yourself and those around you. These protocols are not short-term requirements and can be easily adapted into your current SOP. We are happy to consult and provide an estimate.

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