How to Move Out Your Workout Gear

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr.com

If you are one of those workout fanatics whose idea of a relaxing afternoon consists of pumping iron, followed by running 5-miles on a treadmill, then you may have turned one of your bedrooms into a home gym.  While working out is great for heart, mind and body, the thought of moving all your workout gear can cause your heart to race.

No Pain, Your Gain

Whether your home gym consists of but a few well-used free weights and a stationary bicycle, or a state-of-the-art collection of elliptical, treadmill, or other complicated gym equipment, the first step when you contemplate a move is to dissemble and clean each piece.  This will not only save you time and money on moving day, but it will also keep you from experiencing the agony of defeat that can happen when your movers inform you that your workout gear won’t fit through the door.  Below are suggestions on how to prepare some of the most popular pieces of home workout equipment to experience a pain-free move.

Stationary Bikes

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Most homeowners with stationary bikes don’t appreciate how difficult they can be to move.  It isn’t so much their weight that confounds movers, it’s the awkward nature of bikes where pedals protrude and handlebars have a tendency to catch on doorways.  If you own one of these beasties, I recommend you wrap them with a blanket secured with twine.  This will make it less likely that it will tangle with anything else as it makes its way to the truck.  Even better, if it isn’t too difficult, loosen your handlebars and turn them 90 degrees, or remove them entirely before you wrap the unit up. This will make it easier to negotiate narrow doorways.  Also, be sure if your bike has an electrical cord connected to it that you wrap this up as well, so your movers don’t trip over it during the move.

Elliptical Machines

Like the typical stationary bike, elliptical machines sport a number of angular elements that make moving them a challenge.  After unplugging and wrapping up the electrical cord, you should consider partially disassembling the unit to make moving it easier.  My recommendation is to remove handlebars and pedals, making sure to bag and label them along with their associated mounting screws, before taping the bags to the base of the machine. Then wrap it in a blanket for moving.

Treadmills

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Speaking of a workout, moving a treadmill is hard work, since many of them weight 100 lbs. or more.  That being said, it isn’t only the weight of the thing that causes most movers concern.  After all, professional movers have hand trucks to help them shift bulky items.  What bothers them is the fact that not only do treadmills have electrical cords, many of them also have a number of moving parts that can move when least expected, causing the mover to lose his grip.  If your treadmill has the ability to fold, please fold it down, lock it into place and tie down any component that is likely to shift during the move.

Don’t be a Dumbbell

Real men use free weights, right?  Well, that might be true, but when it comes to moving free weights, make sure when you pack them that the boxes you use can handle the weight.  The last thing you or your movers want to see is a load of free weights get free to rain down on your floor or their feet.  Better to use plastic bins when it comes to moving dumbbells and free weights.  Speaking of weight, make sure you don’t pack too much into one box.  While you might be able to bench press 400 lbs., that doesn’t mean your mover wants to.  Translated, that mean it’s better to pack free weights into a number of smaller boxes, rather than a couple of big ones.

Weight Cages

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If you own a Bowflex or some other complicated form of weight cage, it is vital that you disassemble, pack and label the boxes that contain all its components.  Some weight cages not only have a serious amount of weight on them, they also come complete with bench, bars and pulleys galore.  Some cage-style workout machines make the Lunar Lander seem simple by comparison.  What I mean by this is aside from the fact that the cage doesn’t have a hope in hell of making it through the door without being fully disassembled, remember that putting it back together is on you.  Make sure you let your movers know where all the pieces of the machine are so they can make sure you don’t spend days or weeks hunting down all its components.

Workout Mats, Physio Balls and Noodles

Many home gyms have workout mats, physio balls, and noodles.  Unlike the rest of your gym equipment, this kind of gear weighs next to nothing.  What I recommend you do with this gear is get a big box.  Roll up and tie your mat, then stuff it and as much of the rest of this stuff into the box as possible.  Make sure the lid can close and tape it shut.  

Speaking of telling your movers about your workout gear, you need to be upfront with them before you sign a moving contract about the size and scope of your home gym.  Depending upon on the complexity and weight of your gym, many movers will levy a surcharge on this, especially if they are going to be required to move it above the first floor.  If not, don’t be surprised when your mover balks at moving your home gym, or requires you pay a hefty fee on the spot before moving your workout gear. After all what’s the old saw about working out: No pain, no gain?

If you want your move to be pain-free, call Scott Boone at Scott’s Discount Movers.  With over 4,000 moves, Scott Boone has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.