Dr. Lisa Corsa advises clients on the importance of cleaning thier home gyms.

Feb. 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Based on feedback from Dr. Lisa Corsa’s personal training staff she has established guidelines to assist her clients that have home gyms at their residences.  She believes that the consequences of dirty equipment go well beyond aesthetics.

The spread of germs and viruses through contact with equipment is a serious health concern. Oil and dirt left behind by users also can interfere with sensors that track heart rate and other stats as well as cause deterioration of padding on the machine.
The type of cleaning product a homeowner selects matters less than how it's used; both spray cleaners and wipes can only be effective if used correctly, they can be damaging to equipment and users if not. Dr. Corsa stresses that the key is to have a good understanding of each product's capabilities.

Many sprays and wipes are made with a solution containing quaternary ammonium compounds. This is the agent inside the cleaner that is specific for killing germs.  However there are different types of quaternary compounds, an important consideration for home gym uses concerned about combating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).  Products that are more specific to MRSA are usually marked on the label.

An antibacterial cleaner is one that is capable of disinfecting; it kills most of the germs and viruses commonly found on equipment. There are various chemicals used as disinfectants, from environmentally friendly, products containing chemical agents derived from citrus oils to older alcohol- or phenol-based cleaners. The issue with the latter two is that they pose a threat to equipment.

When selecting a product, home gym owners have to consider not just whether it fits their budget. It also has safe, meaning it can be used safely on surfaces that exercisers come into contact with, without being caustic. In addition it needs to be material-safe. Drying chemicals can lead to premature wear, aging and cracking of vinyl and plastics.

Quaternary ammonia compounds offer minimal risk to people and equipment, but they aren't without their own pitfalls. According to the EPA, the requirement for most quats is that you have to have the surface wet for a minimum of 10 minutes for disinfection. Newer quaternary compounds offer disinfection in as little as two minutes.

Ultimately, owners of home gyms need to read the labels of their cleaning products understand the products' limitations and take responsibility for making sure equipment is cleaned and disinfected properly. With the guidance of Dr. Corsa, her clients develop a cleaning schedule and deep clean their home gyms on a regular basis.  She also recommends the use a disinfectant-only aerosol spray after each use as a daily light cleaning tool.  What an aerosol does is break the disinfectant down into such a small particle that it will help penetrate the material and get below the surface.  Disinfectant-only sprays can be sprayed and left to dry, without requiring someone to wipe off the residue.

A common practice is using hand wipes on equipment. These are generally alcohol-based wipes and are not intended for equipment. The opposite is also a danger. Dr. Corsa has also seen people take cleaning wipes out of the dispenser and wipe their head, face, arms, etc. These wipes are not designed as skin cleansers and could cause a very serious skin rash.

Dr. Lisa Corsa strongly believes that a home gym as should be as healthy as possible and with these simple steps you can keep germs at bay and preserve the integrity of your equipment.

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