—
As if most gyms and yoga studios didn’t have enough problems with being closed over the past few months, now keeping clients and staff safe is at the forefront. Ordering disinfecting wipes, utilizing air purifying foggers, thermometers, and knowing what is safe to use for and during fitness and yoga classes can be confusing. Adding in the additional costs for cleaning and sanitizer processes and staffing, may have business owners ready to throw in the towel and close doors for good. But a new product coming in September may solve one problem and add to the bottom line to help studios stay open.
MatFresher is a new machine created by a hot yogi devotee, that cleans almost any size exercise or yoga mat. MatFresher is the only multi-sanitizing system which uses 3 modalities to clean and sanitize mats. First, it has revolving brushes and a vacuum to clean the mat and eliminate topical debris. Next, it delivers an extremely high dose of UV-C light; 2x more than similar mat cleaning machines like Matsana. Then, it finishes with a 100% organic, sanitizing spray of HOCL, similar to the misters used in grocery stores to keep produce free from bacteria and viruses. But what’s really different is that this happens in less than 45 seconds and rolls the mat back up for the customer to take with them to class or home. It sanitizers up to 99.999% of all pathogens that are buried in yoga and exercise mats alike. Many reports have showed that yoga mats have more bacteria, fungi and viruses than a toilet, a smart phone or airplane seat.
Customers purchase pin codes from their favorite gym or yoga studio and studio owners receive a portion of the cost each time a mat is cleaned. It helps satisfy CDC guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing exercise and yoga mats plus adds to the revenue of the studio owner. The machines are set for arrival in many Chicagoland studios this September. Owner of Studios FUSE in Lincoln Park, Andrea Metcalf, was part of the process of bringing this machine to life and helped test the machine back in December and January as the machine was brainstormed pre-COVID days. “Customers loved the idea of dropping their yoga mat into the machine and knowing that their mat as fresh and clean. This was prior to COVID. Now I can’t wait to get the newest model – it will help our customers feel safer.” says Metcalf.
In addition to may cleaning, the most important safety measures that a studio can provide to both staff and guests is having a good plan in place. The plan should be three parts: Student entry, cleaning in classes and staff cleaning and follow up.
Entering back into the fitness/yoga studio: Step one is having a plan for when students come into the studio. This should include a non-contact thermometer check for temperature, hand sanitizer and masks on hand for customer use, and a list of the CDC health questions available to read and answer each time they enter the studio. If a customer answers yes to any of the questions or exhibits a temperature of 100.4 or above they should not be admitted to the studio and sent home.
Class Protocols: Educate staff and clients on how to clean equipment before and after their personal use. Disinfecting wipes can be key as well as utilizing UV-C light boxes, and misters with organic, non-chemical based disinfectants. Metcalf says, “We teach Pilates Reformer classes and the handles are removed after each guest and then sprayed with an organic disinfectant. Next they are placed in the Coral Light UV-C boxes for 10 minutes.” Getting your students to help in the process helps them know that your studio is on top of sanitizing and cleaning. They are part of the process.
Cleaning Process: Educate staff on how each piece of equipment needs to be sanitized. Provide cleaning checklists for each part of the studio including high touch points, bathrooms and door handles. A good check list and follow up from management is key to keeping your studio safe for all.
MatFresher is a new innovative exercise and yoga mat machine produced in Chicago. For more information contact Steve Subar, steve@matfresher.com. www.MatFresher.com 847-347-5673
Release ID: 88968750