7 Tips for Moving Fitness Equipment Safely

Moving isn’t anybody’s favorite thing to do, especially if you’re doing all the work yourself. Whether you’re moving across town or to a new city, it can be a workout in and of itself to pack, haul, and move all of your belongings to a new place. Anybody with a home gym knows that fitness equipment moving Wentzville MO poses a particular challenge. Home gym equipment is heavy, and moving it without help can put you at risk of an injury. Consider the following seven tips for safely moving fitness equipment the next time you’re relocating.

Lift With Your Knees, Not Your Back

One of the most essential principles of lifting and moving is the imperative to lift with your knees rather than your back. Too many people bend over without thinking and find upon bending up that they are in immense pain. This can happen to people of any age and fitness level, so no matter how fit you are, it’s imperative that you master proper lifting technique before your move. The key to safe lifting is more than just bending your knees. Experts identify three primary rules for ensuring that you are executing a safe lift:

• Keep your chest forward
• Keep the object close to your body
• Bend at the hips and knees

These principles can keep you safe as you lift objects. If you ignore these rules and bend at your back or hold an object far from your body, you risk a serious injury that can have a lasting impact. Bending at the back greatly increases your risk of a herniated disc or sprained muscle.

Of course, it is also important to note that some objects are unsafe to lift regardless of your technique. Many pieces of exercise equipment, for example, are too heavy for a single person to safely lift themselves. In such cases, you should get help from somebody else or hire professionals to get the job done.

Disassemble Whenever You Are Able

Another key aspect of successfully moving exercise equipment is correctly disassembling it. Too many people make the mistake of trying to move their fully assembled equipment and then realizing it is too cumbersome to be moved in one piece. Disassembling your equipment makes it much easier to load into a truck and efficiently prepare it for your impending move — but you must remember that proper disassembly is just as important as proper assembly.

In order to disassemble your exercise equipment correctly, you should reference the manual that the equipment came with and follow each step in reverse. If you did not hang on to the manual, don’t fret — most manufacturers upload their product manuals online. Search for the manufacturer and model of your equipment online to see if the manual is available. If you do not have a copy and cannot find one online, it’s best to trust disassembly to professionals.

Load Equipment Into Truck Strategically

Once you have disassembled your equipment properly, it is time to load it into your truck. This step is just as important as disassembly — a careless maneuver can result in injury or damage to your equipment. This is why it’s important to develop a strategy when you are loading fitness equipment into a truck. You don’t want to end up shoving an elliptical on top of unstable boxes or crushing your treadmill under a bookcase.

Developing a specific strategy can help you avoid this outcome and ensure that your fitness equipment is safely stored in your truck before the move. How do you develop a strategy? Look at the following factors before you begin loading your vehicle:

• Space available in the truck
• Size of equipment after disassembly
• Fragility of equipment
• Other belongings that must be loaded

Using this information, calculate a plan for loading the equipment in your truck so that it can easily be secured. Assuming that there are several large pieces to load, it may be providential to load them first, towards the back of your truck, so that they can be secured easily and other belongings are not placed on top of them.

Secure All Equipment Before Transport

Securing your load before moving is imperative to safety. Even if all items in your truck are packed neatly and the gate is locked, items can shift during a move and pose a hazard when you are unloading your truck. This is especially true of larger items such as exercise equipment. You must be particularly cautious and secure the equipment in your truck before you move your vehicle — to prevent injury to you and damage to your equipment. If left unsecured, a minor bump in the road can cause damage to your equipment!

Equipment can be secured in several ways. If you are transporting items in a trailer, a ratchet strap can easily be secured to each side and adjusted to create tension that holds equipment steady. The interior of most moving trucks will also have rings that allow for attachment of ratchet straps so you can similarly secure equipment using this method. In the absence of a ratchet strap, tightly tied rope is an adequate substitute.

Invest in Heavy Duty Boxes

Not all exercise equipment is of the large, cumbersome, requires-disassembly kind. Most home gym owners have plenty of smaller pieces of equipment, too, that require just as much care to move. If you have weights, dumbbells, or any other small kind of gear, these pieces are best transported in boxes or containers that are heavy duty and feature handles for easy, safe lifting.

If cardboard boxes are insufficient, plastic containers are a good alternative that can typically handle more weight. Before placing your smaller equipment into any box or container, though, it’s important to ensure that it’s protected from damage. You don’t want to unbox your dumbbells to find that they have been banged up in the move. To keep them safe during the journey, you should wrap them in bubble wrap, cushion them with blankets, or add packing peanuts to the box.

Use the Right Equipment for the Job

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of moving is the need for specific equipment to ensure the move is conducted safely. Remember, some items are not safe to move on your own, even with proper lifting techniques. Sometimes you need additional help or special equipment in order to safely move your exercise tools. Some of the tools you might consider using include the following:

• Lifting straps
• Heavy duty dolly
• Toe jacks
• Hardwood dolly
• Wheel lift

If you don’t have all or any of these tools ready available to help you move, you aren’t alone. Most people don’t! Luckily, professional movers will have the necessary tools, along with expertise in how to safely move fitness equipment.

Calling in professionals might be your best bet. A team of pros who specialize in moving fitness equipment will have all the necessary tools on hand to safely move your fitness equipment and secure it in your vehicle. Using the right moving tools is important because it can help you minimize the chances of injury and protect your equipment, too. Without a dolly, for example, you might try to lift a piece of equipment by yourself, only to drop it and cause irreparable damage.

Hire Help to Simplify the Process

Getting help is the easiest way to ensure that opportunities for injury and damage are minimized. With multiple people on the job, weight can be distributed evenly, and you can rest easy, assured that your precious home gym equipment is being handled carefully. Luring friends with the proverbial offer of pizza and beer might not cut it, though…in which case, you might find yourself looking to hire professional fitness equipment movers.

Hiring help is the safest option for moving exercise equipment. The average person doesn’t have the tools, expertise, and experience to move large pieces of equipment without injuring themselves or causing damage to the equipment. If you want to avoid both of these outcomes, you can enlist help from a company dedicated to fitness equipment moving Wentzville MO. Professional movers are careful and competent — exactly what you need.

Trust Professionals to Move Your Exercise Equipment

Moving is a stressful process, no matter how you slice it. Packing, transporting, and unpacking all of your belongings surely isn’t your idea of fun, but you can drastically minimize the physical challenge of moving by entrusting your home gym to professionals. Movers who specialize in fitness equipment moving Wentzville MO are the most trusted resource for safely and securely transporting your fitness equipment — big and small — to your new location. Rather than risk an injury or potential damage to your equipment, let the pros take care of things.

Show Me Weights is the premier fitness equipment moving company serving the greater Wentzville, MO area. In addition to moving services, you can shop our showroom for an incredible selection of clearance fitness equipment.

Call us at (636) 326-1885 for more information on the products and services we offer our clients.

 

What You Need To Know About Moving Your Home Gym

If you are planning on moving your home gym, you know there is a lot of planning involved. Moving your gym is similar to moving a house, but you'll need to think about certain factors. Some of these can include how much room your new gym has, your workout machines and if they need to be replaced, and what your fitness goals are. You might find it easy to use services that involve Fitness equipment moving Wentzville MO. This can save you time and ensure everything is moved safely.

Here are the best ways that you can prep for your new home gym while safely moving your equipment in the process.

Determine What Your New Gym Will Look Like

Before you start shopping for gym equipment or trying to figure out where you will put everything, it's important to consider what your new gym will look like. Do you have a lot of room in comparison to your old home gym, or is there less to work with? Will you be the only one using the home gym, or will other members of your family join you, possibly at the same time?

It's important to think about if the function of your gym will change at all and what you hope for it to look like as you go through the planning stages.

See How Much Room You'll Have

Once you know what you're hoping to get out of your new home gym, make sure you measure it to see how much room you have. This can help you determine what you'll be able to do with your new workout center. It's also a good time for you to evaluate if you want to keep all of your current equipment or if you should get rid of certain items.

Maybe you want to focus more on floor workouts, such as dancing, stretching, or even yoga. This can be an ideal time to figure out if you would like more floor space that doesn't require a machine. If you have other family members who will be using the gym, get their input on workout goals and what they would like to achieve. That way you can make it as inclusive as possible for everyone.

What Goes Where: Planning

Now that you know what space you have and you've thought about what you want to include in your home gym, it's a good time to plan where you would like to put things. Can you move equipment closely together but still have enough space to get on and off it safely? Don't forget to plan for any accessories that you find useful to have on hand, such as a full mirror to make sure you have the proper form or a rack to store weights and other types of fitness equipment.

Planning ahead and mapping out where you will be moving equipment can make it easier for you to get your gym set up quickly, ensure good flow, and help the moving professionals get in and out quickly.

Bringing Old or Buying New: Types of Fitness Equipment 

If you are like most individuals who have a home gym, you likely already have different types of fitness equipment and workout machines on hand. You should think about what you want to do with these items and if they should come into your home gym.

Some factors to consider include:

• How old your workout machines are
• If they have had any repairs
• If you are wanting a newer model or something different altogether

The types of equipment you should have in your gym depend on your goals and what you want to achieve. Some individuals find it helpful to have more than one type of fitness machine on hand, so they can switch up their workouts and avoid getting bored.

If you decide to purchase items that are band-new and move them in, make sure you talk with moving services to find out if they will assemble or not. Some fitness equipment companies move and assemble, while others might simply move them. Find out in advance so you can avoid any unwanted surprises before moving day arrives.

Treadmills

Treadmills are one of the most common pieces of fitness equipment, and they are very typical to have in almost any home gym. They are great for working your legs and waist, while allowing you to build muscle in your legs, and can help burn fat as a great cardio workout. You might look for a machine that allows you to run, can move so you are running or walking on an incline, and can measure your heart rate at the same time.

Treadmills are a machine that will likely take up a lot of space. Make sure you have enough room and can position the machine in your new gym in a way that comfortably allows you to mount and dismount easily.

Ellipticals

Ellipticals are another popular choice for many workout enthusiasts. These machines make it possible to work everything, including your legs, core, and arms. They usually take up less room than a treadmill, but still come with many different benefits, such as the ability to move backward and work out different muscles.

If you don't have a lot of room but still want to ensure you can have a quality workout, getting an elliptical can be a wise investment.

Stationary Bikes

Many people love to use stationary bikes, sometimes known as spinners or spinning. These are ideal for those who love to ride, but want an option when the weather is not as warm, or would like to keep up on their riding skills when going outdoors isn't possible.

Riding a bike can work your core and legs. It's even possible to find bikes that allow you to sit and provide support to your back, so you aren't straining yourself too much during your workout. Depending on the space you have available, you might even be able to have two bikes side by side - perfect if someone else wants to ride with you.

Using Moving Companies To Help

Once you know what fitness equipment is making the move with you, it's time to start searching for moving companies that can help. Make sure you talk to them and verify how much they can lift and what they are capable of doing.

Questions to ask can include:

• If they will disassemble your fitness equipment
• If they will bring their own supplies to help move it, such as a hand cart
• If a moving truck is included in the costs
• Can they put your workout machines back together?
• The cost equipment movers will charge you for everything

Make sure you know what to expect so you aren't caught off-guard, either in terms of cost or the amount of help that will be required.

Protecting Your Floors When Moving Heavy Equipment

Even if your equipment is disassembled, you'll likely still need the moving services to carry or otherwise move parts of your machines around. That's why it's important to prepare for what might be needed while protecting your floors in the process.

Have towels on hand for smaller items that need to be moved. This way the items can be placed down and avoid scratching the floors. If something needs to be carried across the floor, it might be best to use large pieces of flattened cardboard. This can protect the floors, allows movers the chance to put items down if they need to rest, and can provide a non-slip surface for walking on.

Having Enough Help on Hand

It's important to ask how many movers will be helping the day you are having your fitness equipment relocated. Will you have enough help on hand, or will you need a few extra bodies in the process?

It is always better to be overprepared than not ready at all. If necessary, find out if any able-bodied friends or family members can help you, even if it is with a few minor things. Putting items together, carrying boxes, or helping with some of the moving can make everything go by quickly and allow you to get your home gym set up faster.

Assembling Fitness Equipment Safely

After having your gym equipment relocated, find out if the equipment movers will also reassemble the items for you. It's important that gym equipment is assembled properly according to directions in order to prevent an accident and to ensure that you are safe while you are working out.

Companies that specialize in moving gym equipment will usually offer this service, but make sure you find out what the total cost will be. Sometimes it is included, but there are companies that charge extra, too. The movers can reassemble and test the equipment, so you can feel confident it was put together properly before you start a workout.

Getting Ready To Move Your Home Gym

If you are getting professional help to move weighted fitness machines, it's important you know what to expect so you can plan for the cost and how much help you will need.

At Macks Fitness Equipment, we can help with moving fitness equipment. Contact us to find out how we can help you move your home gym today.

What You Should Know About Moving Your Home Gym and How To Get Started 

Perhaps the time has come to move to a new home. You might feel overwhelmed and uncertain, even if you love your new location. Of course, for it to truly be home, you need to take your home fitness center with you.

Dealing with fitness equipment moving Wentzville MO can be daunting. You want to ensure your new home gym is put together and easily accessible, but you're not sure how you can do it yourself. Enter the help of equipment movers, who can assist with promptly taking down, moving, and putting your machines back together. Learn how you can start planning the location of your new gym so that it is a perfect fit for your needs.

Decide on the Look of Your New Home Gym

First, determine what you want your new home gym to look like. Do you have old gym equipment that you won't keep? Are you replacing it or getting something different? What types of workouts do you want to engage in to get the kind of body you'd like?

These are all valid questions to ask yourself since they can help you decide what your new home gym should look like, allowing you the chance to design it accordingly.

Determine How Much Space You'll Have

Space is another major consideration. Make sure you take exact measurements of your old and new gym areas to figure out how much square footage you have to work with. Will you need to get rid of a few machines? Do you want more space for other types of workouts that don't require workout machines?

Think about your plans for daily routines and what you want to accomplish in your fitness goals while considering the space you have. This can make it easier to streamline the moving process and plan ahead.

Making Room for Non-Machine Workouts

If you've decided that you want space for non-machine workouts such as yoga, aerobics, or even a space to lift weights, figure out how that will affect your machines and exactly how much space you'll need.

You might get by with a small area for your workouts, or perhaps you're looking to cut down how many machines you currently have. Don't forget space to store items, such as medicine balls, yoga mats, and even free weights. These are necessary for many fitness routines, but they can take up just as much space as a machine, depending on how many you have.

Figure Out What Fitness Equipment You'll Need

If you only had one or two machines and you're looking to upgrade, now is your chance to do so. Here are some of the different types of fitness equipment items on the market and how they can help you get the body you are looking for.

Treadmills

Treadmills are one of the most common items when it comes to building your home gym. You can use them for walking or running, have them set on an incline, so you feel like you are going uphill, and you can even track your heart rate and calories burned while using them.

They are ideal for those who are at a beginner level and suitable for all age groups. Best of all, they can provide a way for you to work out during the winter months or on days when you would normally stay indoors.

Ellipticals

Much like treadmills, ellipticals are another popular option for people of all fitness levels. These machines work in a similar manner to a treadmill while also allowing you to work on your arms at the same time. You can also have the machine move backward, allowing you to focus on muscles that generally don't get the attention necessary during a workout.

Ellipticals are good for your core and allow you to lose weight while building muscle. You can track your heart rate and see how many calories you're burning during a workout session.

Stationary Bikes

Stationary bikes come in different models, so it is important to try different ones out and find which one is right for you before buying. These machines can either be upright or allow you to sit reclined and relieve pressure on your back while still getting a good workout in.

If you enjoy biking as a workout but live in an area where there is a lot of ice and snow, this is a good workout machine to have at home. Like treadmills, these can track your heart rate and calories burned, and many give you the option to add resistance when pedaling, much like a real bike ride.

Weights

When it comes to weights, there are all types of items to choose from, such as weighted machines that allow you to do leg presses or focus on your upper body to dumbbells that can be modified for any type of workout.

If you are just getting used to weights, start out small and make sure you enjoy using them as part of your workout. It might be easier to add more weights after you've built up a tolerance, or you might find one weighted machine is enough to meet your needs.

Older Machines: What To Do

If you have older machines, now is a good time to decide if you want to keep them around or if you would be better off getting rid of them.

Factors to consider with older machines include:

• If it has ever broken before
• How old it is
• How often do you use it
• Any issues or problems you currently notice with it

In some cases, it might be easier and more cost-effective to simply get rid of old gym equipment rather than haul it to your new home gym. You can hold off on buying items until after you have set up what you already have to see if you like it.

Enlist the Help of Moving Companies

When it is time to move, your best bet is to look for moving services that specialize in dealing with helping to move fitness equipment.

It's important to use equipment movers who understand how to take your fitness machines apart and put them back together safely. It's better than relying on yourself and a few friends, especially since the movers will already have the tools necessary to do so in a smooth and efficient manner. Most importantly, professionals will have a moving truck big enough for your equipment, so you can get everything over to your new home gym all at once.

Protect Your Floors

While going through the process of getting everything ready for your move, don't forget to protect your floors, especially if they have been finished in a specific way and you want to avoid damaging them.

Gather materials like broken-down cardboard boxes and towels, and place them on the floor, so the movers have a path to follow. By testing it out yourself, ensure nothing is too slippery or could otherwise cause a hazard. Inspect the floors afterward and make sure there isn't any substantial damage.

Keep Your Machines Safe 

Many of your fitness machines can be disassembled before moving. It is often better to do this so you can protect your equipment as much as possible. Weights can be bubble wrapped, as can the electrical components of bigger machines that measure your heart rate, such as your treadmill. Removing smaller parts ensures there is less damage that can happen during the move.

Make sure to keep everything together where it is easily accessible. Label boxes to avoid confusion and losing items. If you have the manuals, keep those close by as well, so your movers can reassemble them easily for you.

Have Equipment Movers Handle Assembly

While cutting corners and doing the assembly portion yourself might seem easy, it is best left to professionals. After moving, you don't want to accidentally put your machines back together incorrectly. Something might break, or you could otherwise have an accident.

Instead, contact your equipment movers, and find out if they do reassembly for free or if there is a fee involved. You might find they offer a special deal depending on how much fitness equipment they are moving. This can also save you time while you focus on getting the rest of your home unpacked and set up.

Test Out Your New Home Gym

Once everything has been set up, it's time to test out your new home gym, preferably while the movers and moving equipment are still there. Take time to try out the equipment and make sure it is comfortable to use, with enough space to get on and off easily. You want to feel confident that your home gym is someplace you'll use as much as possible.

Are you looking for help in finding the right machines for your home gym? Let Show Me Weights assist you. We have a variety of new and preowned machines that could be just what your home gym needs. Contact us today and see how we can help you.