How To Maintain Your Gym Equipment In 5 Simple Way

If your gym equipment is creating a racket while you’re trying to work out, then you’re obviously not maintaining it right. Often enough we don’t pay attention to gym equipment, which could cause not just creaky, rusty machines but could also lead to various skin infections. Here are five steps to ensure you have smooth, well-functioning fitness equipment.

1. Disinfect the equipment

The quest for a physically fit body is pretty much rendered ineffective if you're in contact with germs by the second. You have no clue how many colonies of germs are flourishing on just the handle of your treadmill. And, you don't even want to know what they are doing to your equipment. Keep a mild disinfectant and a towel handy in your gym. Spray disinfectant on the equipment and wipe the machines well, before and after working out. Of course, you will have to ensure that the disinfectant agrees with your skin. Also, keep changing the towels you are using to wipe the equipment. Using the same towel might just keep putting the germs back on the equipment.

2. Oiling the machines

There's hardly any machine that doesn't need to be oiled every now and then. And that applies to even the smallest of the lost. Now, imagine the amount of work you put your gym equipment through. Keeping it clean is just not enough. As part of your maintenance regime, oil all your gym machinery on a regular basis. This prevents rust from settling on the machinery and guarantees a workout where you don’t expend strength just getting the machine to work.

3. Vacuum the gym

With the passage of time, dust manages to find its way into any room. Don't let it get to your machinery, because this will eventually lead to you staying away from the gym. It is necessary to vacuum the gym every day to avoid dust bunnies settling on the equipment. A vacuum cleaner is quick and efficient, and can reach corners that your bare hands cannot.

4. Scrub out dirt and grime

Every once in a while, like on a bimonthly or quarterly basis, you're going to have to don the cleaning gloves, grab the broom, bucket, sponge and detergents, and get to scrubbing the surfaces. Just the usual swiping clean of surfaces isn't really enough, especially when dirt has made itself at home in the corners and gaps. Use a brush and scrub out all the grime on your handles or between bars on the equipment. It is also necessary to keep the weights clean.  Use a damp cloth and then wipe them dry with a towel.

 5. Keep the equipment dry 

There is just no excuse to forget this. It's the most important rule of maintaining equipment is keeping them spic and span and dry. The ideal method of cleaning should be in a dry-wet-dry sequence. This means, that cleaning the equipment with a damp cloth isn't the end of the story. When the equipment is covered with water, the chances of dust and corrosion setting in are elevated. This could result in you spending a large amount to get the equipment repaired.

Over the years, replacing the equipment entirely will seem like a far more tempting option. But, you don't want to go there, considering the money it's going to cost you and the fact that it's like jumping into a vicious circle.

Today’s feature writer, Nancy Baker, is a freelance blogger who is currently a part of the team at Horizon Fitness which deals in foldable treadmills across Australia. She is a fitness enthusiast and her hobbies include cooking and baking. Visit www.johnsonfitness.com.au for more information about her work. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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