Fitness equipment maintenance might sound like one of the least glamorous and exciting parts of owning a successful gym or studio.
But it’s one of the most important “bread and butter” topics known to thriving fitness professionals. And you can’t afford to overlook it.
Why is that?
Let’s face it. Having a gym without fitness equipment maintenance is like having a restaurant with an oven and refrigerator that don’t work. Not a pretty thought!
So, how can you do the right thing here responsibly without following every trend or spending money needlessly?
First, by understanding why it’s so vitally important to you and your business. And then by following our no-nonsense tips.
Why It Matters
1.
Maximizing Equipment Lifespan
Equipment is one of your key expenses, investments, and business components. In other words, it costs a lot of money. So, you want to get the biggest bang for your buck possible for as long as possible.
Regular maintenance is the key to protecting this investment and ensuring that your machines last for years to come. When equipment is well-maintained, it performs optimally, reducing the risk of breakdowns and the need for costly replacements.
2.
Enhancing Member Safety
The safety of your members should be your top priority. Regular maintenance not only identifies potential issues before they become major problems but also ensures that all equipment is functioning as intended. Malfunctions or faulty equipment can lead to accidents and injuries, tarnishing your gym’s reputation and potentially resulting in legal consequences.
And prospects notice when they’re checking you out. If your equipment looks run-down or neglected, they’ll think twice about your entire operation.
3.
Optimal Performance All Around
Well-maintained equipment operates at peak performance, just like you want your business to – and just like your clients want their bodies to. So, gym equipment maintenance provides a better experience for them, which increases loyalty, retention, and referrals.
Seriously – would you recommend that restaurant with the freezer on the fritz? Of course not.
Members, obviously, use the equipment every day, and nobody wants to keep coming back to a sloppy operation. If members sense you don’t invest in your business – or in them – they’ll have no choice but to find a gym that does.
Furthermore, you can’t guarantee the safety or efficacy of your workouts on shoddy, run-down equipment.
Tips for Better Fitness Equipment Maintenance
Now that you see how important this is, let’s explore some tactical paths to keep your fitness equipment maintenance.
1.
Read the Manufacturer Guidelines
Just like your new car, any equipment will come with an owner’s manual that includes recommendations on how to keep it running at its best.
That includes:
· How to introduce it to your staff and clientele
· How often to clean, lubricate and inspect it
· When to call in someone to give it a check-up
· And how to handle repairs.
2.
Create a Fitness Equipment Maintenance Schedule
Use the various recommendations, plus your staff expertise and members’ input, to develop a maintenance schedule. Stick to it. Adjust as needed.
This will ensure that you’re not letting anything slip past your notice. You want to stay on top of things, and that includes making sure everyone feels comfortable about bringing up issues.
3.
Regular Inspections and Cleaning
Delegate to your staff whose responsibility it is to go around and check which equipment at the beginning of every day, and maybe at the end of every day.
That doesn’t mean he or she must handle all repairs or bear all burden of fitness equipment maintenance. But you want to bake it into your employees’ duties; it shows that this is just another professional obligation that you all must share.
4.
Promote Your Cleanliness
Make sure members and staff know about what you do to keep the equipment clean and free from germs. That was always important, and it shot to the top of everyone’s concerns after the pandemic.
Be sure you have hand sanitizer stations throughout your facility. Provide towels and spray disinfectant and communicate often and clearly about your expectations of members doing their part to ensure a safe environment. If you want them to wipe down equipment after use, put up signs so they know.
All of this makes them feel a part of things – partly responsible for the fitness equipment maintenance of a place they love to be.
5.
Lubricate Here, Tighten There
A little steady dose of lubrication keeps everything running smoothly and silently. Pay attention to squeaks and inspect what they might indicate. Follow manufacturers’ guidelines about which kind of lubricant to use, and where, and how often.
Along the same lines, check for loose bolts and fasteners on everything. Make sure the collars are still tight and springy on barbells. If floor padding is loose, tighten it or replace it.
And inspect cables regularly to see if they’re fraying or snagging anywhere.
6.
Monitor Electronic Components
Most gyms and studios have electric treadmills, elliptical machines, bicycles, or other electrical equipment.
Make sure these all get regular check-ups just like everything else. Inspect the electrical cords and outlets to avoid tripping hazards and damage.
Be sure your members appreciate their involvement, so they are comfortable pointing out a machine that’s not working properly.
7.
Don’t Forget the Plumbing and Flooring
Your locker room absolutely must be clean, neat, and well-maintained. So, keep an eye out for moldy shower curtains, hair in the sinks, broken toilets, and the like.
Have a plumber on call. Consider asking him or her to check everything out on a regular basis, in addition to making sure your staff checks everything several times a day.
The best gym equipment in the world can’t make up for a disgusting or dysfunctional bathroom!
The same goes for carpet or flooring that you have installed. Keep it clean and replace parts as needed
8.
Keep Up with Your Manufacturers
Read the emails they send – don’t assume it’s spam. They might be sending you important information on a recall or updates to their products.
Keep your contact names and numbers handy, along with service agreements, warranties, and receipts.
9.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Don’t leave anything to chance. Don’t let anything about your fitness equipment maintenance become mysterious.
Everyone has a role to play – including you, your employees, and even your customers. Communications should be open, circular, and transparent.
That goes in good times, too: Share the excitement when you bring in something new or make an improvement to existing equipment.
10.
Don’t Freak Out
No matter how “pro-active” you think you’re being, something will happen. Weights get damaged, upholstery fades, and electronics go haywire.
It’s all just part of running your own business.
Record everything, stay calm, and learn from each situation so you can make improvement
In Conclusion
To wrap up, remember that fitness equipment maintenance is a “must do” at all times, day in and day out, not a “nice to do” when you think of it.
It’s a commitment to the safety and satisfaction of your customers, the growth of your employees, and the success of your business.
A comprehensive fitness equipment maintenance plan will keep you running as smoothly as possible, save money in the long run, and distinguish you from all those competitors out there who can’t be bothered.
Keep it up!