How Often Should You Lubricate Your Gym Equipment?

Investing in your own home gym equipment is a great way to make fitness convenient, but it comes with some care requirements. With the right home gym lubrication maintenance and regular TLC, you can keep your gym equipment in top condition and enjoy more effective workouts.

How Often Should You Lubricate Your Gym Equipment? 

It depends. Lubrication times vary between every few months and once or twice a year, depending on use. Read your equipment manufacturer's guidelines to get the best lubrication schedule. 

Some equipment, like treadmills and similar cardio gear, need lubricating after a certain number of miles. While you might have self-lubricating equipment, you should regularly check the treadmill belt and deck. If they feel dry, it's time to lubricate. 

Other equipment, like ellipticals and stationary bikes, typically require lubrication every few months. Consult your manufacturer for specific recommendations.

What Gym Equipment Needs Lubrication?

Not all gym equipment needs lubrication. For example, dumbbells are fine with regular sanitizing. Save the lubrication for machines with moving parts, like:

• Treadmills
• Ellipticals
• Stationary bikes
• Weight machines
• Rowing machines

Some machines are self-lubricating. Higher-end equipment can have the lubricants baked into the belt, which makes the lubrication last until the belt needs replacing. Self-lubricating machines are typically much more expensive than standard home equipment. When searching for a good treadmill, pick the one that works for your exercise and maintenance preferences.

Why Does Gym Equipment Need Lubrication?

Regular lubrication isn't just another chore to add to your to-do list — it's an essential part of caring for your home gym. Lubrication with silicone-based materials helps:

• Reduce friction: Lubrication puts a coating between moving parts that makes it easier for parts to move, reducing friction between them. Less friction means less wear and tear on components.
• Extend equipment life: Regular maintenance prevents little problems from turning into equipment breakdowns. Lubrication keeps machine parts working smoothly, reducing damage. With less wear and tear, your equipment will last longer. Lubrication saves you money and protects your machines.
• Prevent rust: Metals can rust when exposed to moisture. Lubricant forms a barrier between your equipment and the world, stopping rust formation. Any joints, pulleys and threaded parts need regular lubrication to keep them in top condition. 

What Lubricant Should You Use?

Make sure you grease home gym equipment with a silicone-based product. Avoid WD-40 — it's not designed for gym equipment and is not actually a lubricant. WD-40 is designed to dry quickly, which will leave your machines without lubrication. 

Look for wax, silicone-based lubricants and grease designed specifically for exercise equipment. When in doubt, check the manual. Manufacturers will have a preferred product. Using the wrong product can damage your machine or leave you in the same place you started.

How to Lubricate Gym Equipment at Home

Lubrication depends on the machine, so always double-check with the manufacturer before moving forward with maintenance. Here are the materials you need for lubricating your home gym equipment:

• The manufacturer's guide
• Dry or wet silicone-based lubricant
• Wax-based lubricant for older treadmill models
• Machine oil for rowing machines
• Microfiber towel, dry cloth or paper towels
• Allen wrenches

1. Treadmills

Lubricate your treadmill by following these steps:

1. Turn off and unplug the machine. Leaving it plugged in could lead to accidents.
2. Use your Allen wrench to loosen the bolts at the rear of the treadmill deck. You'll be able to access the belt.
3. Spread the lubricant under the belt. Make sure to cover the center of the belt where most of the wear occurs. Use a thin layer — too much lubricant can make the components too slippery.
4. Put the treadmill back together. Run it on a low speed for a few minutes to distribute the lubricant.

2. Ellipticals and Stationary Bikes

For your non-treadmill cardio machines:

1. Unplug or turn off the machine.
2. Put a little lubricant on all the moving joints. Apply it to the pedals, pivot points, handlebars, flywheel and resistance mechanisms.
3. Wipe off any extra lubricant for a minimal, even coat.

3. Weight Machines

For weight machines:

1. Give the machine a quick once-over, looking for any stiff or squeaky moving parts.
2. Spray a dry lubricant onto moving parts like rods and pulleys.
3. Test the machine's movement by using the handles and weights.

4. Rowing Machines

Lubricating rowing machines is simple:

1. Grab motor oil or another manufacturer-recommended oil.
2. Dab some onto a paper towel.
3. Rub the paper towel along the chain to lubricate it.

How Do You Clean Your Home Gym Equipment? 

While your home gym doesn't see as much use as public gyms or athletic equipment, gym tools are a hotbed of bacteria and sweat. Sweat creates a moist, humid environment that allows bacteria to thrive. Clean each piece of equipment regularly to remove all sweat, bacteria and dust. 

Let's walk through a simple gym equipment cleaning routine. Grab these tools first:

• Disinfectant spray or a gentle cleaning agent
• Paper towels or microfiber cloths
• Compressed air can
• Soft-bristled brush
• Vacuum
• Duster

Regular Cleaning

Follow these steps every time you use your equipment:

1. Use a paper towel or microfiber cloth with a disinfectant to clean all the high-touch areas. Wipe down grips, seats, benches and handles.
2. Use another damp cloth to clean any screens or panels. 
3. Spray down your mats and flooring with a disinfectant.

Deep Cleaning

Try to do a deep clean once a week or once a month — whatever fits with your schedule and gym habits. To deep clean:

1. Dust hard-to-reach areas around the gym. 
2. Vacuum gym floors to remove dust and dirt from under the machines.
3. Take a cloth and disinfectant and wipe down all equipment. This includes pulleys, cables and bars.
4. Use a soft brush to dig out dirt from hard-to-reach areas gently. Or, use compressed air to blow dirt and debris out of cracks.
5. Inspect metal components for rust and remove any you find. 
6. Lubricate each machine as needed. 

Upgrade Your Home Gym With Global Fitness

Keeping your equipment lubricated is critical to protecting your investment. Whether you're looking for brand-new or used gym equipment, turn to Global Fitness for the very best. Unlike competitors who just resell used machines, we manufacture and customize used fitness equipment to restore each piece to like-new or better condition. We offer a complete range of restored fitness equipment for all your exercise needs, including home gym packages to outfit your space.

With extensive warranty options, worldwide service and discounts for teachers, military and first responders, Global Fitness offers the best value in the industry. Don't settle for mediocre equipment — invest in durable, high-performance machines. Shop Global Fitness today and build the gym you deserve!