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Strength
Equipment Maintenance Tips
Note:
During the normal daily and weekly cleaning, take the
opportunity to inspect the individual components of
the equipment.
Frame:
The steel frames of free weight, pin-select, and multi-station
machines should be wiped down with a damp cloth and
dried on a daily basis. Weekly they should be polished
with a good car wax.
Upholstery:
should be cleaned with a lanolin-based hand cleaner
or Naugahyde Cleaner & Disinfectant from Uniroyal.
Do not use cleaners such a Lysol or Windex as they will
dry out and crack the upholstery. Lanolin hand cleaner
dissolves the sweat and lubricates the Naugahyde, maintaining
its natural flexibility. Sweat is corrosive and when
left on frame components will eventually cause corrosion
or rust. Daily wipe downs and weekly polishing prevents
this.
Daily
Inspection: The following list of actions should
be performed at a minimum. Contact the Body Works
Fitness service department if any existing or potential
problems are detected.
1. Check
each piece of equipment to see that it is operating
properly.
2. Make
sure that the proper weight stack selector pin is
with each machine and that the pin functions properly.
3. Check
the cables. Make sure the end fittings are intact
and tight. Look at the cable as it goes around the
cams and pulleys and inspect the coating. Replace
the cables at the first signs of wear.
4. Check
that all the warning labels are legible. Replace any
warning label that is missing or not legible.
5. If
something appears loose be sure to have it tightened
as soon as possible.
6. If
a piece of equipment appears damaged, jammed or is
not operating as intended immediately place the piece
out of service until the problem can be fixed.
Cable
Inspection:
The
greatest potential for the failure of any strength equipment
lies in the potential failure of the cables. A sudden
failure of the cable system can potentially result in
injury to the user. Consistent and diligent inspection
can greatly prevent such an accident. Several separate
parts of the cable assembly should be purposefully and
individually inspected:
- The
Cable: each cable is made up of a series of
multiple steel fibers or strands wound and twisted
together to form the "cable". No single
strand should be visible at any point along the
length of the cable assembly. The visibility of
a single steel strand should warrant immediate replacement
of the entire cable assembly, as more damage is
likely present than meets the eye.
- Cable
Sheathing or Sleeve: this is an outer
wrapping over the steel cable strands, usually made
of a high-quality plastic or polymer and is usually
black in color. This sheathing allows the cable
to move smoothly and quietly over any pulleys, which
can be also be damaged if the sheathing is damaged
and the steel cable underneath is exposed.
- End
attachments: these are the eyelets, threaded
assemblies, clips, etc., attached to either end
of the cable, and can be different on each end of
a single cable. As these are applied or crimped
onto the ends of the cable, the potential for separation
is ever-present. Check that no cable strands are
visible between the end attachment and the cable
sheathing, or that they are seated firmly and thoroughly
into the end attachment.
REPLACEMENT:
If replacement is warranted, always purchase new cabling
from the original manufacturer.
- Check
the cable termination at the weight stack, making
sure it is properly seated or attached.
2. Check
the cable as it passes over all pulley wheels. Visually
inspect the cable and pulleys. A cable that is wearing
will exhibit a "ballooned" or broken coating
in the area that passes over the pulley. Damage to
the coating is an early warning signal. Replace any
cable that is showing coating wear.
3. Check
the pulley wheels themselves. Nylatron/sealed bearing
pulley wheels will under normal circumstances not
exhibit signs of wear. As you inspect the machine
be certain, however, that the wheels are all turning
freely.
4. Check
the cable as it terminates at the other end. It will
be screwed into the frame, bolted onto the frame,
or attached in some other manner.
Bolt
Inspection:
Check
that all frame, cam, and guide rod bolts are properly
tightened.
Bearing
and Bushing Inspection:
Check
that all bearings, whether linear or rotating, are smooth
in operation, do not stick at some point in the movement
of the machine, are not leaking lubrication, and are
not making undue noise when in use. Inspect for any
visible damage to the bearing surface or bearing seals.
Check
that all bushings, whether linear or rotating, are smooth
in operation, do not stick at some point in the movement
of the machine, are not leaking lubrication, and are
not making undue noise when in use. Inspect for any
visible pitting or cracking to the exposed bushing surface.
Lubrication
of bearings or bushings differs from type used and between
manufacturers. Consult the owner’s manual or call
the Body Works Fitness service department at 888-285-0700.
Guide
Rod Inspection:
Inspect
rods for pitting to or rough areas along the rod surface.
Weight stacks should move smoothly along the rods.
Check that the natural flotation of the rods is allowed
and that the rods are not bent or warped.
Lubrication
of guide rods differs from the type used and between
manufacturers. Consult the owner’s manual or call
the Body Works Fitness service department at 888-285-0700.
Weight
Plates Inspection:
Although
it is rare to occur, inspect the weight stack for any
cracked plates. The stack should glide smoothly up and
down the guide rods. If sticking occurs and the guide
rods appear appropriate, check the weight plate bushings.
These are bushings typically inserted into the holes
of the weight plate and create a smooth surface between
the plate and the guide rod. The bushings should be
fully seated into the plate and consist of one solid
piece.
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