There’s no time like the new year to refresh and reset, well, everything. And just as you might be taking stock of your closet inventory or finally clearing out all the random stuff in that miscellaneous junk drawer, now is also the perfect time to reassess the status of your exercise equipment at home.
Although gym equipment is not something that needs to be replaced regularly, it still has a shelf life. Secure everything from smaller gear (like free weights and changing bands) to big ticket items (like treadmill and stationary bikes) being in top shape is essential to ensure your home workouts are safe and effective.
To find out when it’s time to toss your workout gear, PS reached out to personal trainers and gym owners for their best advice.
Experts featured in this article:
Manning Sumneris CEO and founder of Legacy Gyms.
Lisa Solomon-Hirschis founder and CEO of The Studio (MDR).
Kenny Santucci is a personal trainer and founder of Strong New York.
Ianthe Mellors is a professional ballet dancer and instructor at Barry’s.
Oliver Name fitness trainer and owner of Thrive Training.
When should you throw away old gym equipment?
While there are no hard and fast rules for throwing out gym equipment, there are some important signs that gym owners and trainers tend to look out for.
- Visible wear: If you see cracks, rust, or loose grips on your equipment (think: kettlebells or dumbbells), that’s a good sign it needs to be replaced, says Manning Sumner, CEO and founder of Legacy Gyms. “Free weights with worn grips can slip during use, increasing the risk of injury,” he says. The same can be said about resistance band. “Over time, they can develop small tears or lose elasticity, making them less effective and potentially dangerous if they snap mid-exercise,” says Sumner.
- Performance level: Evaluate if the equipment can still do what it’s supposed to. “A good rule of thumb is when things are no longer smooth, even or able to do their job, (throw it out),” says professional dancer and Barry’s instructor, Ianthe Mellors. For example, if gliders no longer glide or a yoga mat is worn out of place so that it becomes uneven—making balancing on it challenging and savasana uncomfortable—these are signs to upgrade.
- The 10-year rule: Unlike food or also many beauty productsYou won’t find an expiration date stamped on the underside of your elliptical or treadmill. But a decade is a good time frame to inventory your equipment, especially for larger machines. “If you maintain the equipment properly, 10 years should be good,” says Sumner. That said, how often you use the machine definitely plays a role. If you use things daily, that lifespan may be somewhat shorter, he notes. The 10-year mark is usually when some larger machines show signs of distress. For example, your machine might make a grinding noise or you notice jerky movements and sudden changes in resistance. This could be a sign to have your machine checked out or to invest in a new machine. “If something feels unstable or unsafe, it’s best to stop using it immediately,” says Lisa Solomon-Hirsch, founder and CEO of The Studio (MDR). Ultimately, it’s imperative to prioritize replacement over risking your safety. You can increase the likelihood of injury using certain pieces of equipment when worn out, says Kenny Santucci, personal trainer and founder of Strong New York.
How to make your equipment last longer
If you want to avoid having to throw out gear in the first place, consider spending a little more up front. The old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly rings true when it comes to gym equipment, especially for larger machines. “I’ve owned gyms for the past 10 years, and when it comes to more expensive equipment, it’s very rare that you need to replace it,” says Santucci. “I tend to stay away from buying deals that seem too good to be true. You want your gym equipment to be durable and predictable. I always tell people to buy from trusted companies that have been around for a while. You” It’s better to spend a little money up front than to have to change equipment later.”
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to your product’s warranty. Brands like Peloton, iFit and SoulCycle offer protection guarantees with the option to extend to protect your hardware. It might be a little more expensive, but it’s not a bad idea to have these as insurance in case something goes wrong.
And if you notice that your stationary bike or elliptical is starting to act a little funky, but you don’t have the budget for a full replacement, Santucci says it’s worth looking into companies that will refurbish your equipment. They can make your equipment work like new, at a fraction of the cost of what a brand new replacement would get you.
“Often any touch-up is usually just a little paint and oil to keep them looking good and running smoothly,” reveals Santucci. “There are services that can refurbish equipment, especially for larger equipment.”
If you want one last try, Mellors says you can adjust how you use the equipment to see if it makes a difference. “I try to use things as long as possible by changing their function,” she suggests. “For example, when my bands lose their resistance, I’ll use them to help me stretch or activate muscles instead of strength training. If gliders lose their glide, I’ll keep them in my bag so I can use them to protect my knees when warming up before a rehearsal.”
Make sure you also store the equipment in a safe place. Mode is the key to longevity, says Oliver Nam fitness trainer and owner of Thrive Training. “If it’s used occasionally, every month or so, you have to worry about how it’s stored more than anything else,” says Nam. “Wet, humid areas will create rust in metal (and) dry air will be terrible for bands, making them less robust.” But direct sunlight is not recommended either. “(The) best place to store home gear would definitely be out of the sun, away from extremely high or extremely low temperatures,” Nam says. Aim for a shady corner of a room or area that’s about 65 to 68 degrees and low humidity, per Nam.
And in the event that it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite exercise toys, fear not, as most equipment can go back to Mother Earth. “You can recycle most items because they’re usually simple rubber, iron or plastic,” says Nam.
Brody wool is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and reporter who has covered entertainment, fashion and health for 16 years. In addition to PS, her work has appeared in People, Us Weekly, Muscle & Fitness and more.
