Fitness Equipment Maintenance: What to Expect

Commercial fitness equipment is an investment, and it’s important to protect that investment with regular cleaning and maintenance. Maintaining your machines not only ensures your gym is clean and safe for members, but it also limits major equipment fails and extends the life of your fitness equipment.

By establishing a Preventative Maintenance Plan when you purchase your equipment, you’ll enjoy less wear, fewer repairs and consistent performance, and provide your members with a healthy, safe and inviting gym experience. Whether you’ve got a few machines or a few hundred, here are some general best practices for maintaining all types of commercial fitness equipment.   

Gym Equipment Cleaning

Daily cleaning eliminates germs and bacteria, but it also prevents the buildup of dust, dirt, body oils and sweat, which can breakdown finishes, rust and corrode metal components, and dry out upholstered surfaces and pads, causing them to crack.

To keep your commercial fitness equipment clean, place cleaning wipes strategically around the gym, no more than a few feet from each piece of equipment, so members are more likely to use them, and schedule daily cleaning with trained team members or a professional cleaning crew that has experience servicing commercial gyms. Consult the equipment manual for the best products to use, and avoid ammonia and other harsh cleaning products that can damage equipment and irritate the skin.

Daily Gym Equipment Maintenance

In addition to daily cleaning, cardio equipment, including treadmills, exercise bikes and ellipticals, as well as weight machines and freight weights should be inspected daily. Look for any fray or wear in cables and belts, which can pose a serious safety hazard, and ensure weights are stacked safely and in the appropriate place. Check for rips or tears in cushions and handle grips, and ensure all buttons and displays are functioning properly.

If the integrity of any piece or part is in question, take the equipment out of service until the applicable repairs can be completed by a service professional.

Weekly Gym Equipment Maintenance

You’ll want to conduct a more thorough inspection and testing of all equipment on a weekly basis. Look for surface damage or signs of rust on free wights and racks. Tighten loose bolts on weight machines, check lubricant points and lubricate, as needed. Perform a surface-level inspection of all treadmill components, including the screws and bolts, electronics and belt. Inspect elliptical machines to make sure that all components are tight and functioning normally, and ensure the elliptical is level with the floor and does not rock when in use. Check exercise bikes for loose components, such as side-to-side pedal movement and wobbling handlebars or seats.

If your equipment is making unusual noises, has electrical issues, or is not operating smoothly, make an appointment with a repair professional.

Monthly Gym Equipment Maintenance

At least once a month, unplug your cardio equipment and vacuum underneath the machines to prevent long-term dust buildup. You’ll also want to schedule your Monthly Tune-up & Maintenance Service with a service professional, like Concepts in Fitness. Our trained technicians clean and vacuum interior components, lubricate parts, and adjust wheels, rollers and belts inside treadmills and ellipticals. We service exercise bike flywheels, brake pads, chains and bearings, and perform other performance-enhancing measures. We also inspect weight machine cables and belts, and replace them annually.

Fitness Equipment Maintenance and Repairs in Saratoga & Albany, NY

Regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs, downtime, and safety hazards. It can also help ensure that your fitness equipment lasts longer and consistently runs well. If you live in Saratoga, Clifton Park, Albany and the surrounding area, Concepts in Fitness can help you protect your investment and extend the life of your exercise equipment with Routine Preventative Maintenance and Repairs.

We service all fitness equipment brands, including Life Fitness, Spirit Fitness, True Fitness, Matric Fitness, Landice, Echelon, and more. We even offer fitness equipment service in parts of Vermont and Massachusetts. Call (518) 452-2727 or submit a service request online.