Finding extra time to work out is not easy, so many of us exercise in our own home gyms. However, having fitness equipment means regular maintenance. It’s an important responsibility for a home-gym owner. Regular and well-maintained home gym leads to safe workouts. Repairing the machine can get pricey, especially replacing the entire machine. So, just follow our 5 maintenance tips as a home-gym owner to have efficient exercises.
1. Keep The Machines Clean
It’s important to keep the gym clean because dust, sweat, and grime accumulate over time. So, regular maintenance means working out in a healthier environment. Here are some cleaning tips you can do yourself:
- Clean your treadmill, elliptical, or bicycle
Use a dry and clean cloth to wipe up any dust and sweat after your cardio exercise. Also, keep in mind that cleaning treadmill belt is important, too. This will prevent bacteria and dust to accumulate. Once a week, you can use a damp cloth to clean electronic screens and vacuum around the machines. Make sure to only use water, as any soap or bleach can damage the fitness equipment.
- Maintain your mats
Mats can easily soak up the smell or collect mold from the sweat and dirt. So, clean them often to prevent this from happening. Check the tag underneath your mat to see if they are washing machine safe. Usually, if the mats are made of fabric, they can be washed in a machine. If you’re the owner of a rubber mat, just wipe it with a wet cloth using warm water and dish soap. And then wait for the rubber mat to completely dry. Also, avoid using paper towels because they tend to rip and stick to the mat.
- Clean off your weights and machines
To prevent the spread of bacteria and germs on your weights, just clean them with an antibacterial spray or wipe. Wipe down other machines in your home gym to keep them fresh and clean.
- Keep the air fresh
It may be harder to keep the air fresh in your home gym since you probably don’t have multiple AC units or fans. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing a fan and ventilating your room often. Also, you can buy essential oil diffusers and air fresheners.
2. Practice Healthy Habits
Not only is regular exercise great for your physical health, but also for your mental health. If you’re having problems with negative thoughts, a regular fitness routine and focusing on fitness is a great way to combat depression. Your body movement releases endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body. So, regular movement keeps those endorphins pumping. Besides a fitness regime, it’s important to have a well-balanced diet. Drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy food, with lots of vegetables and fruits makes your body full of energy. With a healthy diet and a fitness routine, you can achieve your goals and stay in a consistent habit.
3. Lubricate The Machines
Treadmills and other gym equipment with moving parts have a lot of friction and heat in the joints. This excessive wear can cause damage to the machine. So, it’s important to lubricate the moving parts of the machines at least once a month. The lubrication prevents rust on the gym equipment. Consult with your fitness store which type of lubricant to purchase.
4. Buy Genuine Equipment Parts Only
If your fitness machine breaks beyond repair, it’s best to always purchase genuine manufacturer parts only. These replacements can be expensive but are specifically designed for your machine. Also, these replacement parts come with a warranty. You will avoid further complications by purchasing real and original manufacturer parts.
5. Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
Always check the user manual that you’ve received with a machine. These manuals include recommended maintenance and procedures. If you happen to lose the user manual, you can find a copy of it on the manufacturer’s website.
With these 5 steps, you will keep your home gym equipment in a good and functional shape for many years. Regular maintenance of the machines will prevent further damage and injuries.
