The Geometry of Machine Hygienics
November 15, 2012
Geometry is a complete mystery to me. Beyond the basics anyway. I know a square, and a rectangle, a pentagon (I live in DC and drive by the building everyday so I would need to be extra dense not to figure it out). I even know my triangles. The equilateral, the right-angled, and my all-time favorite, the isosceles. But geometry plays a major role in the fitness industry. And not as in the “we are all trying to get in shape” cliché, though that is a good one. Any gym want to use it, feel free. No geometry comes into play when it comes to keeping the joint clean. Let me explain.
I’m talking about surface area.
Before we tackle this important issue, I need to clarify something. Now as we all know, I try to write this blog from various perspectives. Sometimes as a vendor of club management software. Sometimes as the owner of a business. And sometimes as a member of a gym. In this case, I’m not sure which perspective it’s coming from. But it’s funny, and light-hearted and on a few occasions I’ve thought about it…as I’m sure everyone has.
Instead of explaining surface area, I’ve decided to show you using my artistic skills.
I sweat when I work out. Some would say a lot. Others would say a bucket full or two. 
So I did a little geometry math. And this is what I have always wondered.
Surface Area of Me + Buckets of Sweat + Big Giant Treadmill + Tiny little wet wipe DOES NOT EQUAL Clean
Let me put that in picture form:
So what am I saying? Well, besides that I wouldn’t mind if someone created a body sized wipe (again, contact my patent guy), let’s at least A) use bigger wipes in B) closer promimity to the equipment. It’s more hygenic, it will last longer, and it makes people feel better about being ES’s. (Excessive Sweaters) I’ve even started a chant…”Don’t be a denier, help a perspirer!”
Next week we will tackle trigonometry. And I’ll make sure to sign up for some art classes in the meantime. But if you have time, the good folks… the pretty decent guys at Club Industry are doing a survey. It takes about 3 minutes and it helps them produce a better magazine and trade show. Use this link here.
Get, Keep, and Know your members with MoSo
November 15th, 2012 11:39 am
Cute post. Serious problem!! Your geometric assumptions are correct. I’ll even go one step further…it has been shown that the average size wipe does not have enough sanitizer (saturated in to the wipe) to adequately clean the intended surface. Using two wipes as you showed may be adequate. Now, as an exerciser, do you have any concern for the cost of using 2 or more wipes per machine? Maybe not, but your gym’s owner sure does!! And, how about all of that expensive waste you are generating. Wow! Your idea of a larger wipe still represents significant cleaning costs for your gym owner, and the size of the dispensers needed to accommodate wipes rolls do not lend themselves to be conveniently located near all equipment. So, what should your gym do to both conveniently accommodate the wipe-up of your buckets of sweat while not breaking the bank with wipes costs? Install the GymValet–the fitness industry’s #1 holder for disinfectant spray bottles and towels that can be attached directly to each and every piece of equipment in your gym. Cleaning and sanitizing within arm’s reach on every machine! Yes, the most convenient and economical way to effectively wipe up your buckets of sweat is the good old fashioned way–using a disinfectant spray bottle with a wiping towel. The spray lets you put enough sanitizer on the equipment to be effective, and the towel–which is still much bigger than your (proposed) double size wipe–will effectively wipe all of your sweat away. Effective and convenient cleaning with no disposable wipes waste!!! Have any questions/doubts about a convenient spray bottle and towel based equipment cleaning system–visit the GymValet website at http://www.gymvalet.com. Every question and/or and doubt you may have will be answered and addressed–based on scientific, microbiologic, and economic research.
Bruce A. Sherman, Ph.D.
President, GymValet