Love2Laundry Guest Post - Tips for Fitness Equipment Maintenance

​Whether you’re a gym owner who wants to prolong the service life of his equipment or a fitness enthusiast with a couple of training machines at home, you will find these tips helpful. Fitness equipment can be costly so maintenance is key. Keeping your machines in excellent condition ensures you can enjoy them for longer without having to pay extra money for repairs every few months. Here is what you should keep in mind when it comes to maintaining your fitness equipment in top shape.  

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1. Place and Store Your Equipment in the Right Place

The location you choose for your fitness equipment is very important. Whether you’re using the machine on a daily basis or you want to store it away for a few months, pay attention to a few factors in the environment you choose for it. It’s not ideal to keep your machines in a conservatory, shed or garage since LCD displays can gradually become slow to respond. This issue appears when the temperature is cold, which makes the liquid crystal slow to react.
 
Sudden temperature changes are also detrimental to your fitness equipment since they can cause condensation which affects both the metal frame and the electronics in the machine. Environments that are prone to high moisture levels should also be avoided for keeping or storing fitness machines in. Humidity will slowly but surely affect the circuit paths and give you minor intermittent issues or even bigger failures such as a failed circuit board.
 
Direct, powerful sunlight can also damage certain parts of your machine over time. Sunshine can cause the membrane keypads to peel off while the buttons can become unresponsive. Any plastic parts and buttons may start fading, affecting the overall look and performance of the equipment. 

2. Use Adequate and Clean Gym Gear ​

Your gym clothes not only protect you during your work out, they also protect the machines. You should have a dedicated pair of shoes that you only use for working out indoors. For example, by using adequate shoes when running on your treadmill you can help prolong the machine’s service life and keep the equipment free from dust, mud, pebbles and other debris that could get stuck in the sole of the shoes while you’re walking or running outside.
 
You should also use clothes and accessories (such as gloves and headbands) that were designed for training, as these trap sweat and moisture and don’t let it interfere with the machines. If you’re struggling with getting your shoes and clothes cleaned on a weekly basis, try a dry cleaning service that picks up and delivers the clothes to your door step whenever it’s convenient for you. 

3. Keep the Machines Clean at all Times

​Even if you’re not using your equipment for a couple of weeks or a few months, it doesn’t mean you should stop cleaning it or looking after it. Equipment can be damaged by dust, moisture, condensation, cold or hot temperatures and much more. Making sure the machines are clean at all times will keep them in better shape for longer and will help you save money on costly repairs.
 
Make it a habit to wipe down the equipment after each training session. This might seem like an extra tedious step, but don’t skip it. Wipe down any pads, benches, seats and cardio consoles you’ve touched or used. If you have your own equipment, it’s simple to clean it with a dry rag or with moist, disinfectant towels that are more convenient and easy to use. If you own a gym, encourage all the members to use paper towels for cleaning the equipment as soon as they’re done using it. Not only will they help keep the machines in excellent shape, they will also prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

4. Oil Your Machines at Least Once a Month

Not all equipment pieces need to be oiled but resistance machines require this special treatment in order to function properly and perform well. Their moving parts should be lubricated with an appropriate fitness equipment product once a month.
 
In order to lubricate resistance equipment, you simply use a clean rag and silicone spray. Apply the product to the weight tracks and also into the bearings. Check these can move freely to ensure proper silicone application. Treadmills and the vast majority of cardiovascular fitness equipment are self-lubricating. For these, you will have to take a look at the oil reservoirs to ensure they have plenty of oil. If you need to fill the reservoir, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Read the Owner’s Manual and Check the Equipment Often

Even if you’re a seasoned gym owner or a fitness aficionado, never skip this step. Read the owner’s manual, especially the maintenance recommendations and procedures. These will offer plenty of tips on how to keep your fitness equipment in excellent working order. You will also be able to find the manual online if you’ve misplaced your hard copy.
 
Take the manufacturer’s recommendations into consideration when performing your routine check-ups. You should implement a preventative maintenance routine to check the equipment for wear. Keep an eye out for cracks, tears or fraying, especially for cables. It’s also essential you make sure dumbbells and barbells are in perfect working order and that the weights are securely attached. Damaged parts or potentially hazardous issues should be addressed on the spot. This will help minimize damage to the entire fitness unit and will also keep the users safe. 

Author - John Stuart

John Stuart works on behalf of love2laundry.com in outreach and content creation. He creates engaging content that help businesses connect with their audience and stand out from the crowd.