Elliptical Maintenance Guidelines For Your Equipment

by ProForm · June 11, 2018

According to the American Heart Association, people should aim to get a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise. To reach this goal, bringing exercise machines into your home can be very helpful. By having your own equipment, you can exercise when the opportunity arises, rather than worrying about traveling anywhere or having exercise routines be weather-dependent.

When you own your own elliptical, however, taking proper care of the machine is critical to ensure that thecardio machine will serve you well for years to come. Here is everything you need to know about elliptical maintenance and cleaning.

Importance of Elliptical Maintenance

Taking care of your elliptical with regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance will help to extend the life of your machine. You will keep it working optimally, which will in turn prevent unnecessary wear on the parts and let you know when the time arises to replace them. The machine will work more smoothly, ensuring that your workout remains efficient and as effective as intended.

Proper Cleaning Techniques

As you take care of your machine, stick with specific lubricating solution as it has been specifically approved for your model. While other household oils can be tempting, particularly when your lubricant bottle starts to run low, these types of oils and greases can actually contribute to the breakdown of some of the plastic parts. To protect the elliptical, be sure to only use the lubricant provided. If you run out, you can contact the manufacturer for a replacement or get their opinion on the best places to shop.

Similarly, when you clean the machine, do not use any harsh chemicals such as alcohol or ammonia.

Check your owner’s manual to see if they offer any advice about cleaning supplies. If not, basic cleaning solutions, such as Simple Green®, typically work well.

Cleaning Schedule

To keep your machine functioning at its optimal capacity, you will need to clean it regularly. A buildup of dust, sweat, and dirt can start to hinder the proper function of the machine. It can also place stress on parts of machine, causing faster wear and tear.

Cleaning you should do each day:

Each day, or after each workout, you should use a lint free towel to wipe down the machine. Focus on the console and handles in particular. This will help to remove the sweat and dirt that accumulated from your workout.

Cleaning you should do each month:

At least once per month, you should give your elliptical a more thorough cleaning. Focus on the areas around the stride rails and rollers.

Cleaning you should do every 6 months:

Twice per year, after making sure your machine is powered off and unplugged, carefully remove the plastic cover and vacuum it internally. Take care to avoid bumping any of these internal components. Your main priority here is to prevent the build up of dust inside the machine.

Cleaning you should do once per year:

With average elliptical use, you will only need to lubricate about once per year. You should verify this with your owner’s manual to ensure that you follow the correct instructions for your machine. You should also review your warranty to check for stipulations about who takes care of tasks like lubrications. Some warranties may require that a professional handles these tasks.

Perform Regular Inspections

In addition to your regular cleaning, you will also want to inspect the machine on a continual basis. This will help you uncover any potential damage before it could permanently hurt the machine or cause an injury.

Here are the daily, monthly, and biannual tasks you should include in your schedule:

Daily Checks

Check the machine’s hardware and look for any loose screws or other loose parts and tighten them as needed. This includes looking at the console mounting. Remember that you should generally not use power tools on these machines.

Monthly Checks

About once per month, you should do a more thorough check over the equipment. Follow the assembly steps you did initially when you purchased the machine to check for any loose parts. Remember that machine usage can cause vibrations, loosening parts.

You also want to look at the console and the plastic cover for any signs of cracks or other damage. Similarly, look at any power cords that go into the elliptical and check for any signs of wear or damage.

Every 6 Months

About twice a year, you will also want to check the operation of the machine. Look at the stride operation and add additional lubrication if needed and approved under your warranty, if any.

You also want to check the drive belt for wear. Although these belts are designed to last for a long time, eventually they will wear down. If you notice signs of wear or damage, replace it as soon as possible.

An elliptical can provide people with an excellent workout right in their home. Without having to worry about the weather or driving to a separate location, you can get a cardio workout that will help strengthen your body and improve your overall health. To keep the machine working well for years to come, however, you need to make sure the machine has been properly cared for. Follow the schedule outlined here for elliptical maintenance and enjoy your machine for years to come.

DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. ProForm assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.