Whether you are an avid fitness enthusiast with a collection of gym equipment or someone who wants to get into shape before hitting the gym, you know how hard it is to store your exercise equipment.
Having a dedicated room or using the home garage can quickly become a challenge, especially if someone else needs it when it’s time to train.
During the lockdown, many people had to purchase fitness equipment and train at home to maintain healthy lifestyles and balance. However, with life returning to normal, storing and using your gear at home has become tough.
A great solution is self-storage units. With their flexible renting plans and flexible sizes, they are ideal storage for your various equipment.
Before storing your gear away, you should know that it is a bit tricky to maintain, so there are some steps that you should take to store and protect it adequately.
How to prepare your gym gear for storage?
Whether for a couple of months or an extended period, you need to properly prepare your gear before storing it away.
Before you begin, always check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out if there are any specific guidelines or recommendations when handling the equipment.
Clean
Before you store your gear away, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. Fitness gear gets dirtier than your average possessions. Dirt and sweat can quickly accumulate and lead to corrosion and unpleasant smells.
Wipe down your equipment with a damp cloth and use disinfectant to prevent bacteria growth while stored away. Make sure it is completely dry before moving it.
Additionally, your training equipment usually comes with many mechanisms that require lubrication. Therefore, you must methodically vacuum your gear to ensure all oiled parts are completely clean before putting them away.
Disassemble
If possible, disassemble your equipment before storing it. This will save you a lot of storage space and make a move much more manageable.
Fitness gear is quite heavy, and it is not uncommon for people to get injured during loading and transportation. Do yourself a favour and break down your equipment to reduce that risk.
While disassembling it, you should check for any batteries. If you have displays, heart-rate monitors or other battery-powered features, ensure they are all removed.
If you leave them in the equipment for a prolonged period, there is a good chance they may leak and cause damage to your possessions.
After cleaning and disassembling your gear, ensure it is properly secured inside the moving truck. If necessary, use straps and ropes. Also, do not forget to use appropriate packing materials, such as bubble wrap or moving blankets, to protect your belongings during transportation.
Lubricate
Before storing away your gym gear, after making sure that it is sufficiently cleaned, apply lube on all moving parts. This will preserve your equipment for extended periods and reduce the risk of it seizing up during storage.
How to choose the proper storage unit for your fitness equipment?
When storing away items susceptible to temperature changes and high humidity, choosing climate-controlled storage units is always a good idea. They will protect your gear from rust and keep just the right temperature for all its oiled parts.
Another benefit is the size of the unit. Make sure you opt for a big enough storage facility to accommodate all your gear comfortably.
It is crucial to consider that, due to the weight of most equipment, you should not stack it. A spacious storage unit with much floor space is ideal for your needs.
Training equipment is usually rather expensive and can easily be targeted by wrongdoers, especially in storage facilities.
Ensure that the safe storage you trust has all the necessary security, such as surveillance cameras, gated access and on-site staff. Some storage facilities offer insurance for damage and theft, so exploring that option may be a good idea.
Why is it essential to keep it on the floor?
Unlike other personal belongings, which benefit significantly from being elevated, it is essential to note that fitness gear is best kept on the floor.
Due to some of the equipment’s size and weight, it can easily shift or tip over during storage, causing colossal damage. Placing it on a sturdy floor will provide you with much-needed stability.
Since the gym gear is generally hard to move around, placing it directly on the floor will make it easier to access and use when retrieving it from storage.
Certain types of equipment, such as grappling dummies or punching bags, are made specifically to be used on the floor. However, elevating them on pellets or foam may cause their shape to change and, in some cases, completely ruin them.
Label everything
Storing fitness equipment is usually associated with a lot of disassembling. Ensuring you can adequately put aside and label all screws and washers will save you a lot of headaches when it’s time to assemble everything back.
Another benefit to properly labelling your gear is its accessibility. If you require a specific piece of equipment at some point, it may quickly turn into a full-day adventure if you don’t know in which part of the storage it lies.
It is also essential to put the required labels for any hazardous materials that you may have. Glass and other fragile items should have the proper sticker on them. That way, you can be extra careful when moving them to avoid damage or injury.
Conclusion
Properly storing and protecting your fitness equipment in a self-storage space is essential to ensure its longevity.
Take the time and complete the necessary steps to prepare your equipment adequately, so you can enjoy using it for longer.
Find the proper storage that best meets your needs and label everything before storing it away.
Utilising the proper approach will ensure you keep your gear pristine and ready to be used whenever needed.
