Basketballs, volleyballs, and every other sports ball: covered in dirt, covered in sweat. But it's not only sweat. They can also be covered with dangerous germs such as staphylococcus, candida and E. coli. Learn three quick tips to keep your members healthy and your fitness and stability balls clean.
Why Is It Important To Clean Fitness and Stability Balls?
A study reported by Science Daily found that sports balls “can spread potentially dangerous germs among players. Their findings may bring a new awareness to athletes, coaches, trainers and parents regarding safe sanitation practices for athletes.” The study also found that the germ selected for the study (Staphylococcus aureus) could survive on the sports ball after 72 hours. Yikes.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a dangerous kind of staph. It is particularly worrisome because of its resistance to many antibiotics. Athletes with MRSA infections often must endure emergency room visits, costly outpatient follow-ups, and time away from games and practice. The Texas State Department of Health found that the infection rate among football players was sixteen times the national average.
The study continues: “The overwhelming prevalence of Staph. aureus we encountered supports our understanding of the gym environment as a reservoir of germs. Institutions, coaches, and athletes should take note of the role the sports ball can play as a vehicle for the transmission of potentially life-threatening germs.”
What Are the Best Ways To Clean Fitness Balls?
Tip #1: Remember to Wipe Down Stability and Fitness Balls
Don’t forget to wipe down the gym fitness balls. This is a piece of gym equipment most people tend to forget to clean. Inflatable fitness balls and weighted medicine balls can be a playground for germs.
Tip #2: Remember to Wipe Down Your Hands
Use a hand sanitizer after using the balls, and keep face towels separate from towels you use on the equipment. This will keep face towels separate from towels you use on the equipment. And for gym owners and managers, our gym wipes are a great place to start a healthier regimen.
Tip #3: Use Gym Equipment Wipes to Sterilize Stability Balls
UC Irvine conducted a study using UVC light to sterilize stability balls. Zogics’ antibacterial gym wipes refill can do the same job. Our EPA-registered broad spectrum surface disinfectant is another top choice for sterilization. It is a one-step surface disinfectant, germicidal detergent, surface cleaner, mildewstat, fungicide, virucide, and deodorizer.
Gym fitness balls are a great piece of equipment for your members. But to see the benefits, your gym needs clean fitness balls to stay healthy.
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