Gym equipment is a significant investment for any gym owner. Proper and detailed maintenance is the best way to get the most out of your investment. This is especially true for out-of-warranty equipment since you’ll be responsible for any failure or damage during the post-warranty period.
Fitness equipment is designed to last well over the warranty period, and with careful, regular maintenance, you can extend the life of the equipment by up to 40%. Most commercial machines can have a useful life of 20+ years.
This article provides valuable tips on how to keep your equipment looking new and working in optimal condition.
Start by Keeping Your Equipment Clean
The first step towards the maintenance of gym cardio equipment is regular cleaning. Sweat and body oils from your clients will ruin the finishes on upholstery and metal surfaces if left on the equipment.
To prevent this:
- Check the belts and cables on selectorized equipment and replace them at the first sign of wear or according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Assess the condition of chains and springs on steppers and stationary bikes, and replace or repair them as needed.
- Treadmill parts such as decks, belts, wax systems, and rollers prone to breakdown under heavy use should be subject to periodic, routine inspections.
It’s also important to arrange your equipment’s deep cleaning sessions at least weekly. Focus on commonly used equipment or places where germs are more likely to spread. Your equipment will appear and feel clean, which will improve client satisfaction.
Give Equipment a Facelift
No matter how well you keep and care for your fitness equipment, it will eventually require repair, particularly high-traffic machines. Wherever members touch the equipment is the best place to start. Replace worn foot treads on steppers and ellipticals; buy new console keypads and heart rate grips for all types of cardio equipment; and look to change out cracked bike seats. Repair or replace bench upholstery that shows signs of wear and tear. You can also pop in at your competitors’ space to see what they’re doing differently to avoid losing clients because of something you can implement in your gym.
Perform Safety Inspections
While gyms are great spaces for people to work on their health and fitness goals, safety ignorance and carelessness may turn them into unsafe places. Gym owners and managers should ensure routine safety inspections of fitness equipment. Member injuries can be costly and increase liability insurance expenses.
- Check the belts and cables on selectorized equipment and replace them at the first sign of wear or according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Assess the condition of chains and springs on steppers and stationary bikes, and replace or repair them as needed.
- Treadmill parts such as decks, belts, wax systems, and rollers prone to breakdown under heavy use should be subject to periodic, routine inspections.
Test Electronics
Another crucial part of gym maintenance is testing the electronic equipment. Check the error logs and codes and flag any emergent issues. Compare your machine’s performance against its factory settings, check the electrical connections, switches, and battery life, and replace any frayed electrical cords. This also includes any entertainment equipment, such as TVs and sound systems.
Keep the software up-to-date to avoid functionality issues and maintain your machine’s maximum responsiveness.
Have a Preventative Maintenance Plan
Preventative maintenance on mechanical systems is another cost-effective method for keeping gym equipment in pristine condition, eliminating expensive repairs, and extending the machine’s lifespan by up to 40%.
The daily use of commercial fitness equipment can be a slow and silent killer. Without a thorough preventative maintenance strategy, it may result in costly wear and tear.
Preventative maintenance of gym equipment involves:
- Checking the alignment
- Tightening any loose screws or bolts
- Lubricating machine joints
- Identifying and fixing potential issues before they become costly to fix
Safety First — Then Your Reputation
Client safety should be a top priority for any gym owner or manager. Ensuring that all equipment and the general layout of the gym are as safe as possible will not only keep your clients satisfied but will also save you a lot of expensive troubles down the road.
If customers are having issues with the gym’s equipment but not telling you about it, word will spread, and your reputation will suffer.
Treat It Like It’s Yours
If you are the gym owner, the gym equipment is yours. Care for and treat your equipment like any other cherished possession. Clean often, maintain regularly, repair, and replace as needed.
Purchasing equipment and setting up your gym is only half the job; keeping it in good shape is the other half. Routine maintenance will keep your equipment in prime working condition long after the warranty period has expired, preventing costly problems in the future.
