How to Lubricate Home Gym Equipment: General Maintenance 101

Treadmills are the most common type of home gym equipment, due to the fact that most people associate treadmills with fat burning workouts.

Unfortunately, they are also known to need frequent lubrication to keep them running smoothly.

Most treadmills require silicone-based lubricant, which helps reduce friction and noise while protecting the motor from strain.

When applying silicone lubricant, you should use a cloth or roller to spread it on the treadmill’s belt in a thin layer until it covers the entire surface.

It is essential for your home gym equipment that you not to apply too much lubricant, as it can cause damage to the machine’s electronic components.

Ellipticals

The most effective way of lubricating a budget elliptical machine is by using powdered graphite or aerosol spray wax-based products designed explicitly for ellipticals.

You should avoid using any other types of oil or silicone-based products, as this may cause damage over time.

To apply graphite powder or wax-based product, sprinkle some onto both tracks before wiping off any excess with a clean cloth.

Weight machines require very little maintenance apart from regular dusting of their components with a damp cloth or an air compressor hose attachment.

However, weight machines also need occasional lubrication every few months, depending on workout frequency.

One common method is using petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to reduce friction between sliding parts like on a good cable machine, while also protecting them from corrosion.

Corrosion can be caused by sweat buildup.

Make sure that you only apply petroleum jelly sparingly; too much can leave a residue inside cables, ultimately making these parts stick over time.

Related Article: Can Vaseline Burn Fat?

“Doing 30 to 45 minutes of strength training two to three times a week is an excellent way of building lean muscle mass, burning calories, and boosting your metabolism.”

- Emily Cronkleton, Certified Yoga Teacher

Pilates Machines

A typical lubricant for pilates machines is an all-purpose type such as WD-40 or 3-in-1 oil to lube all moving parts.

To apply lubricant, you should remove any dust or dirt buildup on the machine by cleaning it with a damp cloth and letting it dry completely.

Once the machine is clean, spray a light mist of lubricant onto each part that moves, being careful not to oversaturate it with too much product.

Allow the machine to sit for a few minutes before wiping off any excess with a cloth; this will ensure adequate lubrication of all parts without leaving excess residue.

Most rowers need silicone-based grease for proper maintenance instead of oils or sprays.

This type of grease helps reduce friction between moving parts like pulleys and rollers while also preventing corrosion from sweat buildup over time.

To apply silicone-based grease correctly, you should remove dust and dirt from each component using a damp cloth and let it dry entirely.

Then take some silicone grease on your fingertip and spread it in circular motions along each track, covering the entire surface.

Allow the machine to sit for several minutes before wiping off any excess product with a clean cloth.

Related Article: Best Compact Rowing Machines

When it comes to lubricating your favorite home gym equipment, there are different types of lubricants that can be used depending on the type of machine and its needs.

Graphite powder is excellent for weight machines because it is an extremely fine lubricant with low viscosity.

This helps reduce friction between moving components while also preventing surface wear over time.

Silicone-based grease is a popular choice for home gym equipment such as rowers.

This type of lubricant helps reduce friction between moving parts like pulleys and rollers while also providing oxidative protection.