APPLETON (NBC 26) -- As school districts, county health departments, and first responders like EMT’s prepare for the potential spread of the coronavirus, local gyms are also stepping up their efforts to help keep their clients virus free.
At Crunch Fitness in Appleton, an estimated 45-hundred members are utilizing their equipment on any given day.
"I try to come in a few times a week if I can. If you can come in here more it’s best," says Sam Vandenlangenberg of Appleton.
"I am on multiple pieces of equipment, free weights, machines, everything," adds Hillary Schoenrock, a member of the fitness center.
But as these health conscience folks try to better themselves, they're also abundantly aware that the coronavirus could get in the way of their weekly regiment.
"Personally I am a CAN, so right now we know that a lot of sickness is going around. So if someone doesn't wipe down a piece of equipment, usually I would just wipe it down myself. Just because I know how easily cross contamination can happen with germs and how they spread," adds Schoenrock.
To try and push back on the potential spread of the virus, management at Crunch Fitness say they are stepping up cleaning efforts, to stay on top of things.
"Wiping down door handles, wiping down handles of equipment. It’s nothing new for us to be clean but some of the extra precautions we’re taking is we’re out there cleaning a little bit more," says General Manager of Crunch Fitness Roland Agustin.
Agustin says staff here has also purchased more hand sanitizer recently, they’re making sure to disinfecting their restrooms once an hour, and they’re also making sure that their clients know that their staff is doing everything in their power to keep the virus out.
"Everybody here who works, cleans. So when it's not busy we're out cleaning. Whether it's cleaning machines, or equipment, we wipe everything down just to keep the spreading of the germs down," says Agustin.
And while only so much can be done to prevent the coronavirus from entering northeast Wisconsin, management here hopes that those coming down with any type of virus will consider giving public spaces like this a break, until they feel better.
"If you're feeling sick, to where you're tired and achy and you still want to get a workout in, I would say do some workouts at home," says Agustin.
