How to move gym equipment safely

Health and fitness are increasingly becoming a priority for people, with over 10 million individuals in the UK being members of health and fitness clubs. Whether you’re a part of this group or prefer the convenience of having your own home gym, it’s important to know how to safely move your equipment when the time comes for a big move.

Packing and hauling stuff for a big move can be stressful, especially when moving heavy home gym equipment! You can opt to hire a removal service or learn how to properly and safely move your workout gear.  

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some tips on how to move gym equipment—both from your home or a commercial gym.

Wrapping supplies and tools you’ll need

• Gloves - to protect your hands while handling heavy equipment 

• Paddings - such as cushions, blankets, towels, and bubble wrap  

• Thick boxes, plastic bins, or crates - to store weights and disassembled pieces of equipment 

• Screwdriver - for dismantling large gym equipment 

• Masking tape and marker - for labelling boxes and parts 

• A moving dolly - to move heavier equipment that won’t fit in boxes 

Moving preparation tips for gym equipment

• Since you don’t plan on hiring professional packers, enlist the help of at least two friends or family members. No matter how strong and capable you are, it’s best to have a reliable “team” with you during moving day. 

• Clean your fitness equipment before packing them. Sanitise your gym mats, weights, and punching bags. Dust machines and wipe handrails as needed. 

• Be organised. Identify which pieces of equipment need to be disassembled and separate them from those that could be easily packed in boxes.  

• Choose sturdy packing containers. Standard boxes won’t cut it when moving weights, so you may want to resort to heavy-duty packing boxes, plastic bins, and crates instead.  

How to wrap and move small exercise equipment

Let’s say you’ve already separated the large gym equipment from the smaller—and much lighter—ones. Aside from the standard gym mats, your “light” pile will likely consist of small weights like dumbbells, kettlebells, and medicine balls.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack weights for moving: 

1. Once the weights have been sanitised, cover them in bubble wrap, towels, or newspaper.

2. Test your boxes or bins to ensure they are sturdy enough to handle the weight. 

3. Line the boxes with blankets and towels to ensure the weights won’t move too much during transit. 

4. Place the weights inside and secure the boxes with tape. Remember: don’t overpack the box! Make sure it’s light enough for you—or your designated moving helpers and lifters—to carry. 

5. Lastly, when figuring out how to pack dumbbells and other weights for moving, don’t forget to label all your boxes so that your helpers will know it’s filled with fitness gear. 

How to move heavy gym equipment by yourself 

Of course, you can’t just place large equipment such as ellipticals, rowing machines, and stationary bikes in boxes. Moving a treadmill, for example, will require disassembly and special care.

So, how do you disassemble home and commercial gym equipment? Below are some tips for moving heavy fitness gear:  

• Study the instruction manuals that came with the equipment you have, as instructions can vary. If you don’t have the physical manuals on hand, you can easily look them up online or contact the manufacturer. 

• Before disassembling, check to see if all your equipment is unplugged! This is even more crucial for commercial gyms, where there are a lot of machines to move. 

• Label the disassembled pieces properly using masking tape and a marker. You don’t want to lose any nuts and bolts or mix them up with an elliptical’s! It’s also a good idea to take photos of the equipment and its pieces to make it easier to reassemble them later. 

If you’re confident that machines can fit through doorways and don’t need to be disassembled, there are two easy ways to move gym equipment. You can either carry it with a friend or use a dolly to bring it to a waiting moving truck. A dolly is one tool that’s tried and tested by professional appliance removal services.
 

☞ Also read: How to move heavy appliances

Prioritise safety when moving your gym equipment

Now that you know the essentials for moving home and professional gym equipment, it’s time to start disassembling and packing your gear! Don’t rush, and always remember to prioritise your safety above all else. 

If you're still unsure about your ability to safely move your exercise bike, treadmill, or other heavy gym equipment, consider hiring professional movers through Airtasker. You can check this removals cost guide to make an informed decision that works best for you and your budget.