If you have a home gym and you’re moving, it makes sense that you would want to take the equipment with you. After all, it was likely very expensive to invest in that treadmill and stationary bike, not to mention all the accessories. You still want to stay healthy and fit, but moving to a new place means you have to figure out how to move all that awkward, heavy stuff first.
First off, you need a mover experienced in these types of moves. Then, you need to gather the proper supplies and come up with a plan. Here’s how to effectively and safely move your fitness equipment.
Clean the Equipment
Fitness equipment is very germy. You sweat on it, you touch it, you even sneeze on it. It’s time to sanitize and clean everything in your home gym. This will ensure you don’t transfer disease-causing bacteriainto the new home.
- Wipe down your yoga mats and accessories with paper towels or a rag and some all-purpose cleaner.
- Clean all handrails and surfaces on your elliptical, treadmill, weight machines, dumbbells and other equipment.
- Use sanitizing wipes on your gear, or an even solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Wash towels, blankets, and head bands on the hot water cycle in the washing machine.
Pack Small Items
You should always start packing the items that weigh the least, including yoga mats and blocks, as well as towels and blankets. Roll up your mat, then secure it with a strap or bag. Place in a box with the other small items.
Those small items may include:
- Jump ropes
- Steppers
- Kettle balls
- Portable steps
- Hand strengthener grips
- Belts
For larger items that aren’t necessarily heavy, like inflatable exercise balls, deflate them first, then fold and pack. This will save a lot of space. For delicate items such as mirrors, wrap in blankets and pack in flat screen TV boxes.
Move Hand Weights and Barbells
Gather moving boxes that are sturdy and strong enough to handle the weight of these items. Secure the bottoms with extra tape and padding. It’s best to use several small cardboard boxes instead of one or two large boxes that can buckle under the weight. If you can’t find strong enough boxes, pick up a few plastic bins. Wrap all weights in bubble wrap or newspaper for protection.
Move Your Treadmill
You’ll need a furniture dolly to transport your treadmill. Have some moving blankets on hand as well.
- Unplug the treadmill and disconnect all wires.
- Fold and secure the treadmill, engaging the lock.
- Place on the dolly. Ask a friend to help.
Move Your Elliptical
An elliptical has a much bulkier shape than a treadmill, which poses an additional challenge. You’ll first want to disassemble the hardware so it can fit better through hallways and doorways. Start with the pedals and handlebars. Collect and save all nuts and bolts in a plastic baggy.
Cover the machine in blankets, tie it down, and use a dolly to transport it out of the home.
Move Your Stationary Bike
First, unplug it and secure the cords with an elastic or zip tie. Put blankets, pieces of cardboard, mats or sliders on the route you will be taking to wheel or carry the bike out of the house. This will protect your flooring and keep everything in the condition in which it was.
Move Your Weightlifting Machines
- Remove all weights and disassemble the equipment.
- Secure hardware, such as screws, nuts, and bolts and store them in labeled plastic baggies. Tape instruction manuals to each piece of equipment.
- Secure moving parts with tape, bungee cords, zip ties or rope because loose parts can cause injury to people or damage to walls.
- Wrap odd-shaped gym equipment that can’t fit into boxes or crates, using moving blankets, towels or bedding so no scratches result.
- Wrap weight bars in towels to prevent the metal bars from scratching furniture.
Contact Olde World Movers
If you are facing a move that involves fitness equipment, you need the right movers behind you with the necessary lifting and loading equipment. For a free quote, contact us in Euless or Frisco today. If you don’t have the time, resources or skill to disassemble, pack and load your heavy fitness equipment, ask our movers to do it. We bring all the right equipment to safely transport the contents of your home gym.
