Whether you’re the handiest person in your neighborhood, or have never so much as touched a screwdriver before, here are ten steps that you can take to keep your machine running smoothly, inside and out. No welding required.
Please note: Always unplug your machine prior to doing any work on or around it. This protects against accidentally turning the machine on, helps prevent possible electrical damage to components, as well as electrocution hazard to user. If you are uncomfortable performing any of these steps, please contact our office for service or to schedule training.
1: Read your owner’s manual. Few things on this list will have a greater positive impact than spending the ten minutes required to read through and understand your paperwork. Thorough education equates to thorough protection.
2: Inspect your equipment before and after use. A visual review can mean the difference between replacing a worn belt, and replacing a worn belt, deck, motor, and control board. If something doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.
3: If something doesn’t feel right, stop operation, and call for diagnosis immediately. This will prevent further damage to effected systems, and inhibit harm from occurring to other parts.
4: Vacuum your machine. Clean debris that a cloth cleaning can miss. Make sure to vacuum all surfaces, cup holders, vents, even beneath your equipment. Please be careful of possible static damage to any circuit boards.
5: Protect sweat from getting inside and damaging your unit. Wiping down your machine will help after each workout, but what about during exercise? This may sound crazy, but for those heavy sweaters out there, and for those undertaking particularly strenuous workouts, covering surfaces – and any openings that will allow liquid to reach unwanted areas – with plastic wrap, will help prevent internal damage and premature failure. Take care to keep vents open and allow air to reach and circulate into and out of required zones.
6: Wear shoes solely for use with your equipment. While especially important for treadmills, footwear used outside or otherwise worn around the house can accumulate dirt, hair, dust, and fuzz of all types, which gets onto, and sometimes into, your machine. Save your surfaces by keeping a set of sneakers aside just for exercising.
7: Choose the right cleaners and lubricants. Certain systems recommend silicone, other areas require white lithium grease, some require no lubrication at all. When in doubt, refer to your owner’s manual, contact your machine’s manufacturer, or call us for product recommendations. Selecting appropriate cleaners and lubricants may also help you avoid voiding your warranty. Never spray any cleaner directly onto the machine, rather, apply the liquid onto a lint-free cloth when cleaning your equipment.
8: Unplug your machine from the power outlet, and remove the safety key when the machine is not in use. Protect from any electrical irregularities that may occur, and deter accidental injury to users who are not authorized to be operating the equipment – especially important when young children are present. Don’t forget to utilize child-proof outlet covers or plugs.
9: Keep your equipment in the proper environment. Moisture, dust, pet hair, and direct sunlight have been major contributors to untimely fitness equipment failure. Purchase a dehumidifier for the room if necessary. Use a porous machine cover to allow airflow while stopping dust from accumulating. Find an area away from any windows that may allow sunlight to shine directly onto your unit (we’ve even seen a machine damaged from light shining off the surface of a mirror in the room).
10: Have your machine scheduled for routine maintenance. While this is blatant self promotion, comprehensive and consistent maintenance is of the utmost importance. Our experience and training allow us to find issues that most people will miss, and we know exactly what it takes to keep your machine running flawlessly.