Nov
Take care of your equipment – quickly, efficiently and at a low cost, prepare it for moisture and frost!
In recent years, they have become a permanent part of our surroundings – you can find them in parks, backyards, holiday resorts and even in private gardens. Outdoor gyms – as this is what we’re talking about today – are publicly accessible training devices designed mainly for bodyweight workouts. Today we’ll tell you a bit more about how to maintain this equipment. How can you protect a garden outdoor gym from corrosion? How should you prepare outdoor fitness equipment for the autumn–winter season? Let’s find out!
Outdoor fitness equipment
Among the most common training devices found in people’s yards, wall bars definitely take first place – the first association that comes to mind is probably a vertical ladder fixed to the ground. Calisthenics equipment doesn’t have to be boring, though, and choosing the right fitness set will allow both little and big Monkeys to train on it! These include, for example, outdoor gyms with a horizontal bar and gymnastic rings, such as the Garden climbing frames Forest Valley or the compact yet highly functional Garden gym Monkey Bar – Nest swing.
How to maintain outdoor fitness equipment?
Training equipment requires regular inspection, but carrying it out is especially important in the autumn–winter season, when the equipment is particularly exposed to weather conditions. What should you pay attention to?
- The stability of individual fitness devices.
- Elements exposed to corrosion that need to be protected.
- Elements where corrosion has already appeared and must be removed.
- The condition of joints and connections of suspended parts.
- The smoothness of movement of all moving components.
We should begin the technical inspection of an outdoor gym by checking the stability of all training devices. If the equipment hasn’t been properly anchored in the ground, it may lose stability over time. The pressure exerted by a person exercising on a particular device can cause it to wobble. Weather also plays a role – this issue often appears after heavy rainfall or thaws. Therefore, approach each ladder and try to “shake” it – a properly mounted ladder should remain still.
The next step is a thorough inspection of the equipment for any paint or lacquer damage, as well as areas where corrosion has appeared. All training devices offered in our store are covered with a thick layer of paint with an anti-corrosion coating, but it is always possible that due to someone’s intentional or accidental actions, a piece of paint may have chipped off. If you notice such damage, sand down a few millimeters of paint around the chipped spot and apply a new layer of metal paint suitable for outdoor use. The same applies to areas affected by corrosion – but in this case, an active anti-corrosion layer should also be applied.
If your outdoor gym includes a dip station with wooden armrests, check how firmly the armrests are attached – they should be securely fastened to the equipment. Scratches and scuffs on wooden parts should be covered with wood preservative. This is especially important before winter, when lower temperatures and more frequent precipitation make such imperfections particularly vulnerable to moisture.
Another very important part of the inspection is checking all suspended elements to ensure their fixings are durable. Rope ladders, climbing ropes or gymnastic rings should be attached to non-corroded hinges. If you notice any damage to the fixings, ropes or chains, contact the manufacturer for replacement or assistance in solving the issue. Finally, check all metal moving parts – if you feel resistance or sticking during exercise, rinse these parts with high-pressure water and, after they dry, apply lubricant for moving components.
Is it necessary to cover fitness equipment with a tarp for the winter?
Contrary to popular belief, covering the equipment with a tarp is not necessary, as long as you regularly carry out the inspections described above and the manufacturer has coated the equipment with anti-corrosion paint or lacquer with similar properties. Besides, do you really want to deny yourself the pleasure of a refreshing street workout on a crisp late-autumn or early-winter morning? In our climate, snow appears less and less frequently, and an outdoor gym can be used almost all year round.
