It’s The Rule In Our Health Club – AND In Fact Consistent With Chicago And Illinois Health Code Requirements

But it’s easy to say its a rule or a law, and just expect everybody to follow it. SO, how about WHY? How come it’s a rule?

The Simple Answer: To help keep the water cleaner, and the cleaner it stays, the healthier the water is for our members. Also, it makes it easier it is for us to address challenges such as the recent difficulty we’ve had with algae.

More specifically, taking a shower before entering a pool or jacuzzi is important for both hygiene and safety reasons. Here’s why:

1. Showering Helps Remove Dirt, Sweat, and Oils Which Otherwise Get In The Water And Filters

Your body naturally carries sweat, body oils, cosmetics, deodorants, and skin flakes. Showering helps wash these off, reducing the load of organic material in the water and running through the pumps and filters.

2. Limits The Introduction of Contaminants

Showering can remove traces of: Fecal matter (yes, even microscopic amounts no matter how good you are with toilet paper), Urine (especially from small children), lotions, sunscreen, and hair products, all of which react with chlorine to form chloramines—compounds that irritate eyes and skin and give pools that strong “chlorine smell.”

YEP – Chloring does not smell like Chlorine! It’s when you mix it with contaminants it reacts with. So really, the more “chlorine” you supposedly smell, the more yucky stuff has been getting into the water.

3. Keeps Water Cleaner And Clearer

Fewer contaminants in the water, the easier it is for the chlorine to do its job and short and long term you can expect fewer maintenance issues. We can use less chemicals, lengthen filter life and avoid cloudy or murky water, AND EVEN algae.

4. Reduces The Possible Spread of Illness

Germs like Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Giardia can survive in pools and hot tubs. Showering first reduces the risk of spreading or picking up waterborne illnesses.

5. Improves Guest Experience

Cleaner water means less eye irritation, fewer skin reactions, and a more comfortable and pleasant experience for everyone using the pool or jacuzzi.

Working together with our maintenance efforts, members’ efforts to enter the facility freshly showered will help us maintain a better facility for everyone.