yoga mat washing machine Archives

Yoga Mat Cleaning Machine Mitigates COVID Spend

Cleanliness and sanitization is a top priority for every business. Gyms and fitness studios are no exception. Yoga mats are a magnet for germs and it’s important to clean the yoga mats in your studio. Many offered tea tree oil, sprays, or wipes to students on a minimal basis pre-COVID. But, these times have pushed owners/operators to adopt new CDC cleaning protocols and in some industries, these charges have been passed onto the consumer. It is common now for restaurants to charge customers an extra 3-5% surcharge to make up for lost revenues. When every dollar matters, one way to help improve cleanliness and add to the bottom line is with MatFresher, the yoga mat cleaning machine.

time is money

Installing a MatFresher yoga mat cleaning machine in your studio can help you sanitize yoga mats and increase revenues. The best part is that MatFresher is free. Here’s how you can influence your students to use MatFresher.

Here are four ways to keep cleaning expenses down and get your students to use MatFresher, the yoga mat cleaning machine.

Make clean mats mandatory. Many students have a relationship with their yoga mat. It’s loved and cherished but who knows where it’s been? Ask students to clean their outside mats right when they enter the studio. This will create a new check-in ritual and help keep your yoga studio germ-free. Have students who rent mats clean it at the MatFresher to show others how easy it is to use.
Make a partner pledge. Ask students to do their share in keeping the studio open and safe by asking them to pledge a clean mat after every class… or at the very least once a week. Have them sign a board that they’ve cleaned their mat and raffle off a free class or yoga mat to the person with the most cleans in a month.
Show and tell. You may not feel comfortable mandating people to clean their mats, but you can show them how to use the MatFresher. Simply designate certain desk, instructors or ambassadors to bring one student to the MatFresher machine after each class. People follow others when they see something going on Plus the first few cleans are free for everyone.
Tell them all about it. You have many ways to reach your customers. Social media, newsletters, and word of mouth are some. Make sure you are getting the message out about having a MatFresher in your studio. If they don’t know about it, how can they know to use it. You know best what works for your clients.

The MatFresher yoga mat cleaning machine, holding an automatically-rolled exercise mat in its chamber.

MatFresher is a new tool to clean and sanitize your yoga mats for free. In fact, using MatFresher in your studio helps increase your bottom line. Your studio earns money for every clean yoga mat sanitized with MatFresher,

Clean Your Yoga Mat = Heart Healthy Good Habits

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

February is heart health month. One in three women will die of heart diseases and one in four men. Yoga can be the answer to a healthier heart but don’t forget to clean your yoga mat.

Stress increases your risk factors for heart disease. Yoga is the perfect exercise to reduce stress.

So what can you do to take better care of your heart?

Reduce your risk factors. Eat more fruits and vegetables, stop smoking, know your risk, reduce stress and be physically active. Yoga is a perfect activity to reduce stress and keep your body active.

Going regularly to yoga classes means you’ll be using your yoga mat often. Yoga mats are a magnet for germs. Research shows that yoga mats can harbor more germs than smartphones, toilets and airplane seats combined.

But how can you keep your yoga mat clean?

Wipes and sprays are expensive and don’t really work. Clean your yoga mat effectively.

Wipes and sprays are a good start but they can miss areas. UVC light can be an option but not when it can’t penetrate the pores where pathogens love to multiply.

Peace of mind is important. A clear mind starts with a clean mat. MatFresher brushes away dirt and debris, kills germs with powerful UVC light, and sprays mats with an all-natural sanitizing spray that penetrates the pores that light can’t reach. Isn’t it time to clean your yoga mat?

Does your gym or studio have MatFresher? MatFresher is free to studios. It doesn’t add an expense and provides a new service to your clients. MatFresher costs customers less than the price of a cup of coffee and studios share in the revenue.

Share the Love with your Clients with Complimentary Yoga Mat Cleaning

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

February is here and Valentine’s Day is coming – the day when lovers and loved ones express affection with greetings, cards, and chocolates. Around the country, exercise enthusiasts are returning indoors to workout and enjoy fitness classes. It’s time to show your members the “love”. MatFresher is the only yoga mat cleaning machine that loves your studio and clients. Here are 3 ways to share the love with your clients.

3 Ways to Share the Love with Your Clients

Buddy Pass. A great promotion for the month of February is selling a buddy pass. For some gyms and studios, one more person taking up space with limited numbers due to COVID restrictions can be a challenge but, a buddy pass for the month can bring in additional referrals and revenue. Friends gift buddy passes for free virtual classes and then attend in-studio class together.
Clean their mat for them. A sign of affection is doing something nice for someone else. What better way to say “I love you” then sanitizing their yoga mat. Have each instructor bring out one special member (or two or three) to your MatFresher. Then clean their mat. With MatFresher every new student gets three free cleans! In addition, your instructor will be their hero and it won’t cost a thing.
Call them by their first name. It’s not easy getting to know every student’s name. It shows you care. Take photos of each student and then place them on a wall in the shape of a heart. Students can take their own picture with an inexpensive Polaroid camera and share in the love.

If your studio doesn’t have MatFresher yet, now is the time to get on board. Love your students a little more by giving them an easy-to-use, novel way to clean their yoga mats in under 30 seconds.

clean yoga mats = happy students — Friends clean their yoga mat together.

Why MatFresher?

MatFresher is the only hands-free, multi-step solution to clean and sanitize mats. Not only does MatFresher brush away dirt and debris, in addition to killing germs with powerful UVC light, all-natural, sanitizing spray penetrates the pores that light can’t reach. Mats are then neatly rolled and ready-to-go in 30 seconds!

5 Tips for Yoga Studio Owners to Reopen Responsibly

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

COVID Conditions are getting better

COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Hospital ICU beds are at lower percentages for COVID. Total case numbers are decreasing and restrictions on yoga and fitness studios are loosening. Being ready to open your gym or studio for full indoor classes is key. There are many things you can do to reopen responsibly.

Here are five tips to reopen responsibly

Share your checklist. No doubt you have a cleaning checklist for sanitizing protocols. Check into the COVID-19 CDC guidelines. Be sure to share this information on your website, social media and even at your front desk with signage. Videos work best for social. Create a link on your website’s homepage with all the safety measures you are taking.
Keep members coming back. Your safety and cleaning protocols will make students feel safer coming back. Give them personal attention and care to keep them coming back. MatFresher is a novel mat cleaning machine for your clients’ yoga mats. MatFresher differentiates your yoga studio from others that only offer wipes or sprays. Plus wipes and sprays increase your expenses and aren’t effective. MatFresher is free for studios and gyms. Better yet, it generates new revenue with every check-in!
Air it out. Adding HVAC filtration systems can help. But for many studio owners, changing to air purification systems would be too costly. A simpler way is using fans to circulate the air. Floor fans are an inexpensive solution and will keep clients from breathing stagnant air.
Word up. Add signage to your studio. CDC requires studios to post “social distancing and mask-wearing” posters.. They also recommend floor stickers that designate where students stand while waiting for classes. Plan out your studio space and mark the floor with bright tape to line up customer mats and other equipment.
Do their part. Now is the time to ask your clients to do their part. It is a good idea to have all students coming back to the gym or yoga studio sign a pledge to healthy living, wearing masks and even cleaning their yoga mats regularly.

reopen responsibly with a mask and clean mat pledge — Wear a mask, socially distance with members, clean your yoga mat with MatFresher

Why MatFresher?

MatFresher is the only hands-free, multi-step solution to clean and sanitize mats. Not only does MatFresher brush away dirt and debris, in addition to killing germs with powerful UVC light, the all-natural sanitizing spray penetrates the pores that light can’t reach. Mats are then neatly rolled and ready-to-go in 30 seconds! Contact MatFresher to find out more.

The Truth About UV Light for Sanitizing Yoga Mats

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

UV light can be effective for sanitizing yoga mats.

Sanitizing yoga mats with UV light is new. Consumers have become interested in ultraviolet light for sanitizing surfaces and objects. Research shows that UVC radiation can be highly effective at disinfecting air, water and nonporous surfaces. The effectiveness of UV light depends on the amount of light, distance from the surface, and time of exposure.

Not So Simple

It’s not so simple. The surface has to be smooth and clean of debris for UVC light to work. Dirt and hair on top of harmful bacteria can make UVC useless. Porous surfaces can block UVC from penetrating where viruses like to hide. This means that yoga mats need more than just UV light for sanitizing them.

The UV light has to be in contact with the surface for a specific amount of time to be effective. Plus, the dosage of the bulbs matters too. According to the IES Committee on Germicidal Ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet spectral band known as the “UV-C,” from 200 to 280 nanometers (nm), have been shown to be the most effective for disinfection, although longer, less energetic UV can also disinfect if applied in much greater doses.” This means that if the dose of the UV light isn’t strong enough, the duration would need to be longer.

Alternatives

There is a lot of misinformation about how to clean a yoga mat. Some have tried spraying, vacuuming, scrubbing with soap and water, soaking in the bathtub, and even using the washing machine. This can be inconvenient. Plus, they can damage the mat and they don’t really work.

Why MatFresher?

MatFresher is the only hands-free, multi-step solution to clean and sanitize mats. MatFresher brushes away dirt and debris, in addition to using UVC light. It completes cleaning with an all-natural sanitizing spray. Better than that, mats are automatically rolled and ready to go in 30 seconds. Contact us to learn more.

2021 New Year Goals for Gym and Studio Owners

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

Traditionally, the new year brings a sense of rebirth. In the fitness and yoga industries, studio owners know that this is a good time for new students to walk in the door and recommit to their health goals. So what are your studio goals for 2021?

Here are 4 tips for setting 2021 new year goals for gym and studio owners.

Recommit to cleanliness. In this time of COVID-19, emphasis on cleanliness is imperative. Whether you have a fitness gym or yoga studio, equipment used by students needs to be safe and clean. Equipment like leg presses, treadmills, and dumbbells pose their own unique situation for cleaning. The good news is that yoga mats can be quickly, easily and safely sanitized with MatFresher. The machine is free for gyms and studios!
Recommit to a friendly staff. Many clients have been working out at home during the pandemic. What keeps them coming into the studio is community. Properly trained staff are key to nurturing your culture. Try the WEFISH approach for training them.

3. Recommit to marketing. Sales start with a win-win approach. Make sure to listen to your current clients about why they are coming to your studio. Use this information in your marketing campaigns. Plan out each month and commit to a full year outline. When things get busy having an outline can help keep your goals on track.

4. Recommit to knowing your people. Take the time to know your staff names and little about them personally can go a long way to creating a relationship that helps build your business. But don’t forget that you should learn a little about your students as well.

Try having a competition with instructors and staff on how many members they can get to know during the first quarter of the year. Challenge your team to know something unique about each member. Have a staff meeting to share the information. Offer a prize for whoever knows the most about your clients or the most interesting unique things about them. Making it fun and competitive can produce great results.

Why MatFresher?

MatFresher is the best way to sanitize yoga mats.

MatFresher is the only hands-free, multi-step solution to clean and sanitize mats. Not only does MatFresher brush away dirt and debris, in addition to killing germs with powerful UVC light, all-natural sanitizing spray penetrates the pores that light can’t reach. Mats are then neatly rolled and ready-to-go in 30 seconds!

What Does it Take to be the Best Yoga Teacher

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

Yoga is growing in the United States. There are more than 6,000 studios currently offering classes. Most owners dedicate more than half of their space to the yoga practice. And, there are more than 300 million yoga practitioners worldwide with estimates that 62 million Americans participate in some type of yoga workout. Yoga teachers make an impact on every student.

Great Yoga Teachers

But what does it take to be a great yoga teacher? The same as being a great teacher generally…and more! Students are drawn to their teacher’s passion. Therefore, yoga teachers who are passionate about their practice have a lasting impact on their students’ lives. They believe in the power of yoga to heal, refresh and restore – both, physically and emotionally. The best yogis share the impact yoga has had on them personally and they are truly dedicated to educating and inspiring their students. Being prepared for classes and understanding that students are at different stages in their practice and abilities are other key attributes. It is not enough to recite the Sanskrit poses, the best teachers guide others to their full potential and physical limits.

A Yoga teacher needs to be:

Authentic
Caring
Sincere
Empathic
Empowering
Passionate

The perception of a yoga studio is a reflection of the experience they have with their instructors. In order to build a successful studio, owners should understand their teachers’ communication style, method of instruction, and encourage relationships with students.

Yoga students

Cleaning during COVID

Instructors have always helped to keep the studio clean. However during COVID times, extra steps are needed to keep students safe. It takes extra time. Mat cleaning, floor cleaning, and sanitizing equipment are among the best-practices for studios. Foggers help germs from spreading. New ventilation systems and fans keep air circulating to dissipate harmful particles in the air. Also, to make yoga mat cleaning more effective, MatFresher machines are available.

Yoga student

MatFresher Yoga mat cleaning machine

In yoga, students typically bring their own mats. This brings germs from the outside to every class. Spray bottles and wipes are pretty ineffective, expensive, and chemical-based. The best way to detox a mat is with MatFresher. MatFresher’s unique 3 step process cleans both sides by brushing away hair, dirt, and debris, applying powerful UVC germicidal light and misting all-natural cleaner 120x more effective than bleach to kill up to 99.99% of the bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

As a yoga teacher, you care about each and every student. Help them make the best of their yoga experience, stay healthy and keep their mats sanitized and clean after every class. Be the leader and contact MatFresher to create new rituals.

Three Things to Learn from COVID for Studios Owners

Posted on by Andrea Metcalf

There is endless talk about COVID-19 and how it’s been affecting fitness and small boutique fitness studios. Although many face mandatory closings, limited class sizes and other restrictions, there is a little sunshine from the tragedy. This is a great time to re-evaluate how you’re doing business. Taking a hard look at expenses is never easy, but is always a good step to increasing overall profits. With a little extra time on your hands, consider these three things to learn from COVID for studio owners.

Improvements to learn from COVID for studio owners

1. Staff. The most valuable part of any business is the people that come in contact with customers. Now is a good time to evaluate who’s working for you and how they handle your most precious asset: your customers. During the pandemic, many people were let go…Who will you bring back may take some evaluation. You may rethink your front desk staffing in total. Many front desk workers are paid minimum wage to keep expenses down. Minimum wage may bring minimum excitement to the job. Think about other creative ways for staffing from trading membership for staff help to discounting memberships for those who help volunteer in sales and staffing.
Students with clean mats

2. POS Systems. Having your customers easily book services and pay for them is key to a successful business. There are many booking platforms on the market. Now is a good time to start looking if there is a better solution for your studio. Ask your customers which platforms they have used in the past and which they prefer. Have your staff contribute to the conversation. Since many instructors work at multiple studios, they may have experience with the new platform you are considering. Also, talk to other studio owners about which systems they use to help better determine which one is best for you.
Studio systems

3. Adding Revenue Streams. As much as you need to examine expenses to improve financial performance, look for where you can add profitable new revenue. Online streaming and on-demand classes have blown up due to stay-at-home restrictions. So, adding live stream and on-demand classes for your following is a must. Other revenue streams include items you can sell when you fully reopen. MatFresher cleaning machines help generate new revenue without any upfront or on-going cost. MatFresher keeps your customers’ mats sanitized while you make money with every clean. A MatFresher clean takes only 30 seconds, bringing peace of mind to staff and members while helping to stop the spread of germs. And don’t forget logo apparel, water, power snacks and other grab-n-go items.. Every dollar adds to the bottom line and your studio’s overall success.
Revenue and profits

Take respite and make long-term lemonade out of the short-term lemons COVID has brought to small businesses like yours. Start by contacting MatFresher and begin implementing the things to learn from COVID for studio owners.

MatFresher brings members back to the studio

Posted on by MatFresher

As we head into the holiday season, gyms and yoga studios are still struggling with this year’s pandemic. The impact of the pandemic has been detrimental. Many have added additional safety and sanitation protocols hoping to attract new members and regain the confidence of existing students. The goal is to add a new ritual that brings members back to the studio.

Cleaning Up

Others have implemented next-level sanitation practices: including more advanced disinfecting sprays, antibacterial wipes, single-use mopping, and other paper products. These measures can be extremely costly and time-consuming to continue to purchase.

Cleaning supplies — MatFresher uses an eso-friendly cleaning option.

The team at MatFresher has developed a way for studios to take mat cleaning to the next level – while saving time and money. MatFresher guarantees a clean and sanitized exercise mat with every use. Your staff and members will feel confident coming back knowing you offer a next-level sanitation procedure.

Choose MatFresher

MatFresher is an eco-friendly cleaning machine that kills up to 99.99% of germs in seconds. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi, removing the guesswork out of sanitization while keeping your staff and members safe.

Our machines are also free to businesses and deliver a new revenue stream for struggling businesses. Every time a member cleans their mat with MatFresher – you profit! It’s simple to use and doesn’t create work for you to manage. Our team installs the machine for you and is on-call for any needed technical support.

MatFresher - the mat cleaning machine — MatFresher – the mat cleaning machine

How MatFresher works for gyms and studios:

Schedule an introduction: Simply schedule a call to learn more about MatFresher and to request machines for your studio today.
Get MatFresher: Once you sign up to be a MatFresher studio, we will coordinate a convenient delivery time for your studio. Roll it in, plug it in, and turn it on.
Clean with MatFresher: With the MatFresher installed in your gym or studio, your students and staff can use it for their mat sanitation before and after class.

MatFresher can help generate new income for your gym or studio while bringing peace-of-mind to your members so you can focus on increasing your bottom line. Request more information today. MatFresher brings members back to the studio.

How to increase profitability during COVID

Posted on by MatFresher

Hundreds of gyms and studios remain closed or partly open, due to COVID-19. Businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. Profitability is down. Some businesses are closing their doors. Membership is down. People are still hesitant to return to indoor facilities. Business owners must pivot and find new ways to attract members and revenue. Here’s one way you can increase profitability during COVID.

Losing money — Every penny counts to be profitable.

Safety procedures for sanitizing facilities have never been more important. People do not realize regular disinfecting spray or wipes are not enough to truly clean their mat.

Germs — Eliminate germs while finding a new revenue stream to become profitable.

A mat is a perfect incubator for many of our skin infections. Mats have contagions lurking on them including strep, flesh-eating strep (yikes!), and a variety of staph, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These do not go away with just sprays or wipes. When they hang out, they can cause real problems.

Feel safe, more effective than cleaning supplies

While members and staff may have previously considered mat sprays or wipes as sufficient sanitation measures, heightened concerns have led to higher expectations for how to keep their mats free of harmful germs. Providing the most effective and convenient method of cleaning a mat can be an important element in retaining and expanding your clientele while making staff feel safer.

The MatFresher mat cleaning machine is a game-changer! MatFresher will kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, removing the guesswork from sanitization keeping your members safe and clean. Plus it happens in under 30 seconds.

MatFresher is the perfect partner for your business and your staff. Returning staff may have concerns about safety and sanitation. The MatFresher cleaning technology will help you re-opening at scale while giving staff peace-of-mind and confidence in safety.

MatFresher also provides added value as a revenue-driver for your gym and studios. More effective than DIY yoga soaps or harsh antimicrobial chemicals, MatFresher is an encouragement to attend class in person and then EARNS YOU NEW REVENUE with each check-in. MatFresher creates a new residual revenue stream for your business.

Compare how MatFresher saves money — Save money with MatFresher and feel confidently clean

How MatFresher works for gyms and studios:

Schedule an introduction Simply schedule a call with one of our yogi’s to learn more about MatFresher and to request machines for your studio today.
Get MatFresher Once you sign up to be a MatFresher studio, we will coordinate a convenient delivery time for your studio. Roll it in, plug it in and turn it on.
Clean with MatFresher With the MatFresher installed in your gym or studio, your students and staff can use it for mat washes before and after class.

MatFresher can increase profitability by providing a new income stream for your studio during COVID. This will bring peace-of-mind to your members. The machine does not cost you anything, so you can focus on increasing your bottom line. Contact us to schedule a free demo today.