Woman checking treadmill We know that buying fitness equipment is often an investment. You don’t buy a cross trainer or a multi-gym every day and so it’s sensible to make sure you’ve made the right decision before you part with your cash. But it’s equally important that you know how to look after your equipment once you get it home or installed in your gym! To help you get the most out of your fitness equipment purchases, we’ve put together some basic maintenance and safety steps for the various products we offer. Be safe No matter how well made and secure your fitness equipment is, there is always an element of risk when you use it. And, although manufacturers use the highest quality materials available, wear is inevitable. Even if you’re really gym-equipment savvy, it’s really important to make sure you don’t become complacent. 1. Inspect your equipment before each workout You should check that all nuts, bolts, screws and pop pins are in place and fully tightened and you should check cables for signs of wear including fraying, discolouration and cracking. If you do discover any wearing, damaged or missing parts, you should replace these straightaway. NEVER use a machine if any parts are damaged or missing. You should also check slack in cables and adjust if needed, ensure all snap links are closed when doing any cable, pulley or strap exercises and periodically check nuts & bolts. 2. Cut the clutter It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to keep clear of cables and moving parts when using your equipment, as well as keep accessories such as water bottles somewhere safe. This is to avoid distraction, injury and damage to the machine. If you’ve got a cable constantly hitting you as you run on the treadmill for example, it might put you off – and you might break your equipment during your exertion too! And just as they say that a tidy desk is a tidy mind, it works just the same for your workout space. You’ll perform far better if you’ve got a clear space around you. 3. Look after the aesthetics As well as the technical inspection, looking after your machine’s upholstery is critical for extending its life expectancy. Just like you would at the gym, wipe down your machine after every workout. You should also occasionally use a mild soap or vinyl upholstery cleaner. And don't forget to keep sharp or pointed objects out of your pockets and clear of all upholstery. 4. Be coordinated man performing bench press exercise Always work out with care, performing your exercises at a smooth and moderate pace. Never perform jerky or uncoordinated movements. This could cause injury and simply doesn’t do you – or the machines – any good. 5. It’s not for kids! Don’t allow your kids to play on or around your gym equipment, especially unsupervised. Not only could they damage your equipment, but – more importantly – they could hurt themselves. Fitness equipment is designed for adults and simply isn’t safe for children. 6. Be responsible As owner of your equipment, it’s also your responsibility to make sure anyone else who uses it is always provided with adequate supervision and knows how to use the machine appropriately and safely. If your equipment is for commercial use, make sure all supervisors and personal trainers are properly trained and know the function and importance of every adjustment and setting. Also, be sure these trainers provide proper instruction to users on the fundamentals of strength training. For added safety, we also highly recommend a training buddy. Not only are they there to lend a hand with the equipment, but they also provide that element of motivation we all need now and again! How to inspect individual equipment parts For advice on how to inspect individual parts including cables, upholstery, nuts & bolts and adjustments, visit our service and maintenance page. This is just the basics… In addition to the above, make sure you read and understand all warning, safety and maintenance labels on every machine you purchase. You should also keep hold of all owner's manuals and be sure all warning labels are legible and intact. If you need any replacements, you can request these from the individual manufacturer. You should also bear in mind that dangerous conditions can occur even during the warranty period. A warranty doesn't negate your responsibility to look after your equipment. Need more advice? If you have any questions about the operation, set up, maintenance or proper use of any machine, just give our customer service department a call on 0800 159 8090.