by Dr. Bruce on January 13, 2013
“Flu reaches epidemic level in U.S., says CDC”
Just a quick post of concern regarding the epidemic levels of seasonal flu that are being reported on and through most every news outlet every day. Seasonal flu outbreaks are quite normal this time of year–affecting many people in almost every state in the US–but the reports state that the number of reported cases is significantly up this year. The good news is that we are supposed to be about half-way through the flu season; the bad news is that we still have about half of the season (another six weeks or so) to go.
No need to speculate on the cause. Flu happens! But, from my viewpoint I just wanted to reinforce the need for fitness facilities–across the US–to make every effort to protect the health and safety of their most precious and valuable commodity–their members!!
From a professional and personal level, I can’t stress enough the need for health and fitness facilities to present to their members the cleanest and safest workout environments possible. Regular and thorough cleaning and sanitizing of body contact surfaces is vital: Exercisers do not go to the gym to get sick; they go to get healthy. But, if cardio. and strength machines, mats, group exercise bikes, etc. are not thoroughly and regularly sanitized–during this most “fragile” and potentially deadly (no need to quote the number of people who die from the flu each year) time period–the potential to pick up an unwanted virus/illness at the gym is significantly increased. [click to continue…]
by Dr. Bruce on January 9, 2013
On the Woodway Curve In Dolvett’s Dungeon!
Once again, there I was on my couch, doing my professional “homework” watching the new season of The Biggest Loser, and there it was–GymValet!! This time it was on a Woodway Curve treadmill in Dolvett’s Dungeon; some dungeon–blue skies and a beautiful view of Southern California greenery. Do you see it in the image to the left? It’s right below the tire on the right frame-rail of the Curve.
OK, so it doesn’t have a sanitizing spray bottle in it, or a towel hanging off the hook for that matter. But, seeing a GymValet on a smash-hit reality show series makes me very proud and happy. The good news was that I had recorded the show on our DVR, so, once I summoned my wife to join me in the den, we were able to watch the GymValet’s appearance over and over. That made me happy!!
What didn’t make me happy was the fact that the GymValet wasn’t loaded with the sanitizing accoutrements!! Over the course of the first two episodes of The Biggest Loser we have watched almost every contestant sweat, barf and hang/drape over virtually every piece of equipment that they touch. That’s a lot of body and body fluid contact/spillage in a “community” use gym. Never do the viewers see any evidence of cleaning/sanitizing supplies being available in The Biggest Loser Gym–let alone being used. That’s both disgusting and dangerous!! How much illness is spread among the contestants by using shared, unclean equipment. We’re never told, so we’ll never know.
So, I’ll keep watching–the show in general, and for GymValet sightings. Maybe one day we’ll see a GymValet put to it’s intended use–for the health and safety benefit of the contestants. Be sure, if that happens, you’ll see that image posted on DrBruceSays.com, probably along with an image of me smiling from ear to ear!!
