Running a gym is a complex operation. One goal of a great gym manager is to keep everything running smoothly every day, keeping the number of surprises to a minimum.
The last thing you want is equipment breaking down. Breakdowns result in frustration, potential safety hazards and customer dissatisfaction. Breakdowns are a key cause of complaints. And quite right, too. Your customers are paying for a service and they expect everything in their gym to be clean, neat and in perfect working order!
In addition, when potential customers visit your gym, they will be more likely to sign up if everything is working as it should be. First impressions count.
But customer satisfaction is just one reason why you should take gym equipment maintenance very seriously. Here’s why maintenance procedures are key to a successful gym.
Why good gym maintenance routine matters
A gym equipment maintenance schedule offers the following benefits.
- Well maintained gym equipment is less likely to break down, thus ensuring customers always have access to the equipment they need.
- Well maintained gyms are clean and pleasant to use, increasing customer satisfaction.
- Maintenance routines catch any minor repairs required, avoiding major repairs further down the line.
- Well maintained equipment lasts longer reducing the need to replace gym equipment prematurely.
- You could invalidate your equipment warranty if you do not maintain your machines properly.
- Well maintained equipment holds its value so you can recoup more of your outlay if you want to upgrade at a later date.
Know your equipment
Each piece of equipment has its own requirements. You need to keep records of when it was acquired, its age and mileage on acquisition, and a servicing schedule. Servicing can include taking the covers off the machines, inspecting for damage, oiling, replacing worn-out cables and other spare parts, inspecting electrical connections for wear and damage.
Daily
Most gyms nominate a staff member for a daily walkabout to inspect and report on new problems with each piece of equipment. Make sure your nominated member of staff is somebody with a keen eye who won’t let minor faults go unnoticed.
For weights, ensuring weight clips are secure is vital. For weights machines, inspect the moving parts especially the cables. Clean down weights with an antibacterial solution that’s suitable for both metal and plastic. Most gyms use their own products or specialist gym wipes to clean the equipment, and clearly this is something that must done on an ongoing basis.
Make sure safety labels are securely attached and legible. Failing to show important safety notices could open you up to legal liability.
Take any questionable equipment out of service immediately, placing a sign on it to ensure nobody can use it.
Cleaning the floors, mats, mirrors, windows and touchable surfaces is obviously a key task to keep gyms looking welcoming at all times.
Weekly
Weekly tasks can include inspecting power cables, inspecting and if necessary, tightening screws, nuts and bolts, checking belt tension and alignment on treadmills, etc. Deep cleaning weights is something many gyms choose to do on a weekly basis.
Monthly
Monthly tasks can involve lubricating machinery, checking oil levels (where applicable), ensuring equipment is safely secured to the floor, tightening pedals and seats and checking over the general operation of the equipment.
Working with manufacturers
The manufacturer of the equipment will have provided guidance on how the equipment should be maintained. Make sure you have a nominated place where all the manuals and instructions are kept.
Keeping the air humidity and temperature in the gym within the recommended range for gym equipment is important. Air circulation is vital for customer’s health but the equipment in the gym is also expected to be kept within a certain range. Check the user manuals for guidance on this.
How do gym equipment maintenance services work?
Maintaining your equipment can be a time-consuming and complex task. At motive8 we recommend you consider contracting the service to experts.
Using a maintenance service gives you peace of mind as you know that your equipment is always well maintained and ready for use. In addition, if anything goes wrong, you can contact the company to arrange a speedy repair. If repairs will take some time, many companies offer replacement equipment while the repair is carried out.
In addition to maintaining gym machines, a gym maintenance contract can cover everything required for the smooth running of your gym including floors, mats and padding, not just the equipment.
Gym maintenance companies can also offer deep cleaning services. Covid-19 has made us all aware of how important cleanliness is to health and wellbeing. So, it’s now more important than ever that gyms are seen as safe, hygienic places to spend time.
Deep cleaning schedules will focus on mats, seats, benches, touchpads and any other frequently used equipment or areas where germs can spread. Your maintenance company can also highlight problems such as ripped mats or padding so that you can replace them to help ensure the gym is as bacteria-free as possible.
Why choose motive8?
motive8 offers a range of aftercare and maintenance packages to reduce the risk of unexpected problems, extended facility downtime and expensive call-outs.
With over 20 years of experience, you can rely on motive8 to keep your gym running smoothly. Our team of highly skilled engineers and technicians are trained to service all major equipment brands. And, if anything does go wrong, our 48-hour call-out service (Monday- Friday) means your equipment will soon be up and running again. Plus, our engineers have access to a wide range of parts for most cardiovascular and resistance equipment so can often fix your equipment on the spot.
With no other provider offering an entirely holistic, individually tailored and swift gym and pool maintenance support service, motive8 offers the efficiencies of the one supplier contract model.
For expert advice on gym maintenance and maintenance contracts, contact us on 0800 028 0198 or email info@m8group.co.uk.
