Gym Equipment Maintenance - Key Considerations

GYM EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE - KEY CONSIDERATIONS The maintenance of gym equipment is as important as the maintenance of the body it is designed to strengthen and improve. All such preventive maintenance activities however must be done on a regular and consistent basis. Performing such routine preventive actions in your maintenance regime can help provide a safe and smooth operation of all the equipment in your gym whether commercial or for home use only.

The trick to holding a successful maintenance routine is to make sure it is exactly that – a routine.

The way that you approach maintenance tasks should be done at different points in time depending upon what the specific task is. For example, wiping sweat off the equipment after use should be done daily, whereas a complete overhaul and integrity check should be done annually.

Following then is a list, broken down into the salient periods, of what to check regarding your gym equipment and exactly when.

DAILY  Wipe down dirty upholstery with a skin friendly anti bacterial wash, or a simple soap and water solution if unavailable. There are a number of products available for this purpose on the market.

This routine helps to keep the breeding of bacteria upon the equipment under control, helping to keep yourself healthy and the unwanted effects of micro organisms in speeding up the process of corrosion, firmly under control.  Clean the frames of any equipment used. Again, use a mildly loaded soap solution and then dry thoroughly. (Where there is chrome exposed, it helps to apply a layer of car wax to aid these areas I n resisting corrosion from sweat and cleaning fluids.)

WEEKLY  Test all screws and bolts to ensure that they aren't loose, and tighten them if they are.  Inspect cables and belts for damage or wearing and replace them immediately if any damage is apparent.  Make sure there is no wear or damage on grips and handles, again replacing them at the first sign of any suspicious signs.  Make sure that sweat, dirt and constant rubbing through use has not made any labelling unreadable, especially that related to health and safety advice or warnings.  Ensure that all the weight stacks used are in correct alignment and are operating smoothly.  Make sure any guide rods are clean, and keep them lightly lubricated with a non heavy motor oil.

YEARLY  Call out a professional fitness equipment maintenance worker. There are dedicated professionals who specifically deal with fitness equipment maintenance and it is a very worthwhile idea getting them out on a fairly regular basis (we would suggest annually at least) to come and give everything the once over and make sure it's still fit for use. Such professionals have the knowledge and experience to best ensure that everything runs as smoothly and safely as possible until the next time they are needed and that there are no apparent risks any of those using the machines/equipment.

WARNING – be sure to unplug all equipment with motors and/or electronics before carrying out any maintenance work.