Do you need to move your home gym equipment to a new location? You should definitely consider hiring professional movers to do it for you. Why? Relocating fitness equipment is harder than it looks.
Moving can cause you a lot of stress. These machines are bulky and heavy. You can strain your back trying to lift your exercise equipment. And if you’re not careful, you might even damage it. Another challenge is maneuverability. How will you navigate tight corners and narrow hallways? Do you even remember how you got the equipment through your doors?
Without a plan, you’re more likely to get hurt or break something. Knowing the risks upfront helps you move smarter and avoid injuries or repairs later.
Types of Gym Equipment That Require Special Handling
First, you’ll need to understand what type of equipment you have. 40% of adults own or have access to gym equipment at home, according to recent survey data. But the types of gym equipment vary.
If you’re only moving resistance bands and exercise mats, you might be able to load those in your car and move them by yourself. But for larger fitness machines like weight benches, stationary bikes, and elliptical machines, you’ll want to hire professional movers.
It’s not uncommon for people to have commercial gym equipment in their home. If you do, we don’t recommend that you move it by yourself at all. You’ll want to hire a gym equipment moving company. After all, you’re dealing with equipment that’s larger and harder to balance. It’s even more complicated if there are motors and electrical wiring involved.
Here’s a list of gym equipment that requires special handling.
- Treadmills: This is the most popular type of home fitness equipment, with 87% market share. Commercial treadmills have oversized motors and thick running decks. You’ll notice that the weight sits low and uneven. If you move a treadmill by yourself, you’ll risk tipping it over and damaging the frame.
- Peloton Bikes: While these may look compact, their front-loaded flywheel is extremely dense. Poor handling can damage internal systems or bend the frame. For context, a Peloton bike weighs 129 pounds.
- Ellipticals: Their long rails and moving arms make ellipticals awkward to maneuver. You might even misalign the equipment while lifting it. An elliptical can weigh around 100 to 150 pounds.
- Power Racks: These units use heavy-gauge steel and tall frames. Improper disassembly can cause sections to twist or collapse.
- Smith Machines: Built-in guide rods and counterweights add hidden weight. Dropping or tilting them can damage rails or pulleys. And you certainly don’t want any part of it falling on you.
- Leg Press Machines: The sled and weight carriage create extreme front-to-back imbalance. They’re dangerous to move without any help.
- Stair Climbers: Their dense internal components and narrow bases make them unstable to carry by yourself.
- Power Towers: These frames are top-heavy. The narrow base makes them unstable during lifting and transport.
Preparation Before Moving Gym Equipment
If your mind is set on moving your equipment on your own, the least you can do is make preparations. It will make the job go more efficiently.
So, how do you prepare for the big move?
Unplug Your Devices
If your home gym setup uses motorized equipment, you should disconnect each device from all power sources. Unplug them from the wall or remove their batteries (if any). Coil the cords neatly and secure them to the frame using tape. You don’t want to trip on any wires or pull them accidentally during the move.
Disassemble Your Equipment
You can partially or fully disassemble your equipment before moving day. This can be a difficult process, especially if your equipment has too many moving parts. But if you have the user manuals with you, then you might find disassembly instructions you can follow. You might also be lucky enough to find disassembly videos on the internet.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to strip a whole machine down. In some cases, you might only need to remove parts that are too unstable to move while in the equipment. Screens, seats, arms, handles, and weight stacks are common examples. Taking these off reduces weight and improves control.
Secure Moving Parts
Finally, you’ll want to secure all the moving parts. Take note of every part that slides, swings, or rotates. Protect them using bubble wrap if needed. You can use moving straps to lock the arms, pedals, rails, and cables in place during transport.
Here are a few more tips on securing gym apparatus.
- Fold treadmills if the design allows it, then lock the deck firmly.
- Secure sleds or carriages tightly to the frame to prevent shifting.
- Prevent balance issues by eliminating even slight movement during a lift.
- Secure gym flooring by stacking tiles evenly and wrapping them tightly so they don’t slide apart during carrying.
- Empty weight racks completely and strap the frame so uprights don’t shift while moving.
- Secure smart bikes by lowering the seat and handlebars completely. Strap them tightly to prevent tipping during transport.
- Remove loose pads from the bench press and strap the bench to keep legs from folding or twisting.
You’ll want to take your time preparing for the move. If you rush things, you might end up injuring yourself or damaging your equipment.
Safe Moving Techniques That Professionals Use
How do moving services deal with gym equipment?
A gym equipment moving service will always plan ahead of the move. Oz Moving, for example, will visit your home to assess the situation. It gives us a chance to inspect the equipment and take measurements, so we’re well-prepared on moving day.
Aside from planning, here are other techniques that we use to move gym equipment.
Proper Lifting Methods
Professionals keep equipment close to their bodies to maintain control. We find our balance by having our feet stay planted shoulder-width apart. Remember that lifting comes from the legs, not the back.
When moving equipment, you’ll want to keep your movements slow to reduce strain.
Equipment Dollies and Straps
Make sure you have the right moving dollies. Use one that’s appropriate for your machine’s weight and shape.
For example, flat dollies support wide bases. Appliance dollies handle tall or top-heavy equipment. Use moving straps if you have them. This will help you safely load your equipment into the moving truck.
Stair and Tight-Space Navigation
You have to take measurements before taking down your home gym. And we’re not just referring to your equipment. You have to measure your exit path to make sure your equipment will fit.
If you’re taking equipment down the stairs, have at least one person guide from below.
How Oz Moving Handles Gym Equipment Moves
It’s very important that you choose the right mover based on your needs.
Oz Moving is experienced in moving residential and commercial gym equipment. We can accommodate clients with different equipment and access conditions.
To protect heavy and awkward equipment, we use specialized tools and supplies. These include moving blankets and packing materials. We wrap each item before preparing it for transport to reduce damage risk.
We also train our movers on proper lifting, loading, and unloading techniques for heavy equipment.
Oz Moving also supports long-distance and local moves.
Cost Considerations
Several factors affect how much it costs to move gym equipment. Understanding these factors will help you manage your budget better.
- Equipment Size and Weight: Heavier machines require more movers and stronger equipment.
- Access Challenges: Stairs, tight hallways, elevators, and narrow doorways make it harder to move your equipment.
- Time and Labor Requirements: Complex gym equipment takes longer to prepare, move, and set up. More time on-site increases charges.
- Disassembly and Reassembly: Machines with multiple components need careful breakdown and reassembly.
- Distance of the Move: Long-distance moves increase transportation time and planning.
Final Thoughts
Yes, it is possible to move gym equipment by yourself. However, it comes with risks. It takes a lot of planning, and you’ll need to have the proper tools. Even worse, you might end up injuring yourself.
If you’re moving to a new home, get help from professional movers. You can start with a quote to get started.
