For fitness enthusiasts, your home gym is your hub. However, moving your gym equipment may pose some challenges if you don’t know where to start. Figuring out how to move a home gym can be a breeze or a major headache. We share your concerns and can help you make a workable plan that is stress-free. Whether you hire a moving company or choose to pack it yourself, here’s how to get started.

If a Mover is Handling the Gym

The most painless way to move a home gym is by utilizing a moving company. Since exercise equipment is often heavy, fragile, and valuable, the best choice may be to leave it to the professionals. When you are getting a moving quote, be sure to point out the gym equipment to the moving company’s representative, and ask how they will handle it.

A good mover will work with a specialized tech to disassemble and reassemble your home gym equipment. This will cost a bit more, but you will have the convenience of not having to disassemble complicated gym machines. This is also the best financial protection if your equipment is damaged during the relocation. A moving company is not liable for broken gym equipment if the customer does not choose to use a recommended tech. If you are looking to save money on your move and would like to disassemble your equipment on your own, your mover will ask you to sign a waiver clearing them from any liability of the equipment.

Have a plan

Organizing your gym pieces will help you track the items and figure out a plan to pack and move.

packing small items from your home gym

Start by grouping by larger equipment such as:

  • Rowing machines
  • Elliptical
  • Treadmill
  • Weight lifting machine
  • Weights
  • Weight benches

Smaller pieces include

  • Jump ropes
  • Indoor cycles
  • Steppers
  • Kettle balls
  • Hand weights
  • Portable steps
  • Yoga mats
  • Barbells
  • Dumbells
  • Free weights

Prep, Clean, Repair

Clean each piece of gym equipment before you begin to box up or disassemble them. Give each item a thorough wipe down with multi-purpose cleaner and fresh rags to remove any dust or dirt. Clean the hand and foot supports, and every surface your body touches while exercising.

Next, check each piece or parts that may be loose, broken, or missing. Locate any extra parts and label them for easy retrieval and assembling.

Select the right packaging for your home gym

Choosing the correct packing containers is essential to ensure your equipment will not roll or break the packaging. While ordinary packing boxes may not work for heavy pieces, use them for lighter items like yoga mats and jump ropes.

Here are some items that may be useful for packing your gym:

  • Newspaper
  • Packing paper
  • Unused towels, blankets, and bedding
  • Bubble wrap
  • Plastic tubs or bins
  • Milk crates
  • Plastic bags
  • Zip ties
  • Rope
  • Furniture dolly
  • Tie-down straps
  • Bungee cords
  • Packaging tape

Moving Stationary Bikes

While moving a stationary bike is somewhat easy, there are a few things you need to know. Disconnect the current, and place the power cables in bags with labels. Next, cover the bike with a sheet or blanket and protect your flooring with items like towels, furniture slides, towels, or cardboard sheets. Movers will use floor protection made from polynite or similar material.

Get some extra hands and wheel the stationary bike out and onto the moving van.

How to move an elliptical machine

Moving and packing your elliptical

Deciding how you’re going to move the machine helps determine how much help you will need. You will need:

  • Blankets, sheets, or towels
  • Ratchet ties
  • Tie-down straps
  • Furniture dolly

First, switch off the machine and remove the plug from the socket. Tip the machine to a side and push the tie-down straps under it. Next, bring the straps over the footholds and legs. Fasten the straps with the ratchet tie to keep the machine steady when moving.

Place the furniture dolly alongside the elliptical. You and your helper will now flank the machine on either side. Get a firm hold and move in sync with your helper to lift it onto the furniture dolly. Secure padding like blankets, sheets, or towels over the machine to protect it from scratching walls, doors, or other surfaces.

You’ll also need some help if you have to maneuver the machine down the stairs. Slowly lift the machine from the dolly and place it on the moving van. Take off the covering and ratchet tie and check to see if the legs are moving freely.

How to pack collapsible gym equipment

If your machine parts are collapsible, fold them down and set them in the lock position to avoid movement during transport. For power cords and other electrical components, use  masking tape or packaging tape to stick them onto the machine for safe keeping.

Moving lightweight home gym items

Use storage boxes for packing up your gym bags, yoga blocks, mats, blankets, and towels. Newspaper or bubble wrap is ideal for covering items like barbells, kettle balls, hand weights, and barbells. Make sure you use several sized containers to balance the importance of the things you place in the crates, and that you pack items like weights in the smallest possible boxes for easier lifting.

Moving Free Weights

Make sure that the crate or box you are using is strong and sturdy so your weights do not fall through. Depending on how much weight you have in your container, a cardboard box may not be suitable for the job. Pack these separate from other gym equipment and materials to avoid damages. Be mindful of how much free weights you are putting into a single container. The box will be too heavy to lift if your weights are not distributed evenly. Wrap the weights will bubble wrap or newspaper to protect the weights. Fill the container will towels or some type of cushioning to prevent the weights from shifting and sliding in the container.

packing and moving a treadmillHow to pack your treadmill

Before you start, switch off the power supply and unplug or detach any electrical wiring nearby. Fold each section of the treadmill following the instructions in your manual. If there’s a belt on your machine, roll it up and secure it to help reduce any scratching.

Lock any moving parts to avoid shifting while on the road. Now you have the treadmill ready, lift it onto the furniture dolly, and then to the moving vehicle. When lifting off the van, slide it onto the furniture dolly and carefully roll it into your new location. To re-assemble, unlock the moving parts and set up according to your manual.

How to move weight machines

Weight machines can be a bit tricky to move, but quite doable. Some parts may have uneven shapes that may not fit into traditional packing boxes. First, follow the instructions in your manual to ensure you detach the parts correctly.

Use storage bags to pack smaller items like bolts, screws, and nuts. Use some tape to stick them onto the appropriate piece of furniture to re-attach when setting up in your new place. Wrap any bulky items in old sheets, blankets, or towels if they cannot fit into moving crates.

The padding will help reduce any friction that may cause damage to other items during transport. Likewise, use some padding to wrap metal bars and weights to help protect against scratches.

Wrap It Up

Your home gym is a considerable investment in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle from the comfort of your home. Always check your manual to ensure you secure each item to avoid damage during transport. This can help you a ton when figuring out how to move a home gym.

Make an inventory and stick smaller parts to their appropriate attachments. Cover each item to avoid damage to your flooring, walls, and other equipment and furniture pieces.

While moving can be stressful, our handy guide is a sure way to make it as seamless as possible. If you are looking for a team of professionals to handle the move for, you can get a free estimate by clicking here.