Cardio exercise is the act of maintaining your body, to ensure it functions properly, performs at its peak, and lasts as long as possible. And these are the exact same reasons why you should invest time in exercise equipment maintenance.
Cardio machines like treadmills, exercise bikes, climbers and rowing machines can be significant investments. By taking care of them with proper gym machine maintenance, you ensure that they continue to provide the same quality of workout as they did on day one, and you potentially extend their life.
No matter whether you’ve got a single Matrix elliptical in your home gym, or a floor full of commercial-grade machines, the importance of regular cardio gym equipment maintenance remains the same.
So let’s find out how to do it.
Which cardio gym machines need maintenance?
All cardio gym machines – treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, cross trainers, ski ergs, steppers, ellipticals, stair climbers and more – require regular maintenance.
All gym machines will slowly degrade over time, particularly in areas with moving or powered parts, as friction and heat accelerate the build-up of wear and tear.
Cardio gym machines are also more or less designed to be treated harshly. Users will want to push themselves to the limit, which often means pushing a machine to its limit. The forces imparted on the machine can gradually weaken it over time.
This means that even the strongest and most static gym equipment, like barbells and weight plates, can eventually succumb to these forces by bending, snapping or otherwise breaking.
But with their moving parts and extended use times, cardio machines can require a little more maintenance than most other gym equipment.
How to maintain your cardio gym machines
When it comes to machines used for cardio, maintenance requirements will change depending on the type of equipment. But the following general tips can ensure your machines work as they should for the long haul.
1. Check the owner’s manual
When you buy a new piece of cardio equipment, the first thing you should do is read the manual. This will tell you exactly what you need to do to keep your machine running like clockwork. Most maintenance manuals will give precise instructions on what to do, how to do it and when to do it.
2. Clean and inspect your equipment regularly
Create a regular cleaning schedule. If you run a commercial gym it’s best to give your machines a good wipe down every single day. This maintains a good level of sanitation, and also stops dust, dirt and other contaminants from building up in and around the machine, which can lead to wear and tear.
Take the opportunity to inspect your equipment at the same time. Look for cracking, bending and breakage, and test moving parts to ensure they operate smoothly. Speaking of which…
3. Lubricate moving parts
All moving parts should be kept well lubricated, as this guards against wear and tear and increases the longevity of your machine. A treadmill belt, for example, will find itself in regular contact with the treadmill platform, and should be well lubricated at all times. The same goes for the pedals on an exercise bike, the pulleys on a rower and the arms on an elliptical.
4. Keep a maintenance log
Keep a log of every time you maintain your machine, so you know exactly when your next bit of maintenance is due. A maintenance log can also help with resale value if you ever choose to sell your equipment, as it shows that the item was well looked after.
The equipment you need for cardio gym machine maintenance
There are some gym equipment maintenance situations that will require a bit of expertise, such as a fault in an electrical system. But for the most part cardio machine maintenance can be surprisingly simple for an owner – at least when you arm yourself with the right equipment:
- Cleaning equipment: Most equipment can simply be sprayed and wiped, or you can use warm, soapy water for a deeper clean.
- Lubricant: Moving parts should be lubricated regularly. The specific type of lubricant will depend on the equipment and part: the crankshaft of an exercise bike may need to be greased or oiled, while a treadmill belt will benefit from a regular spray of long-lasting silicone lubricant.
- Hand tools: Loose parts can create excess, unwanted and potentially damaging movement in your gym equipment. Various tightening tools, like screwdrivers, alan keys, spanners and socket sets, help to ensure that your equipment operates as smoothly as the day you bought it.
GymQuip: your cardio equipment maintenance specialists
Home to Australia’s largest fitness showroom, at GymQuip we have been selling and maintaining high quality cardio exercise equipment, the Matrix Fitness range, for over 30 years.
Our end-to-end commercial gym fit out service begins with a consultation where we work to understand your needs, wants and goals and draft a floor plan. We then identify, deliver and install all the equipment you need.
From there, you can leave the maintenance to us. We’ll regularly check and maintain your machines, fixing problems before they become big issues. Alternatively we can simply provide support – we’ll always be there to offer the expert advice that will help you to get the maximum return possible from your gym equipment investment.
Not in Canberra? We deliver Australia-wide, orders are shipped within 24 hours, and our entire range is covered by our price match guarantee: if you find one of our products cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat that price.
Get in touch with our friendly team today.