Basic Elliptical Trainer Maintenance
When you own an elliptical trainer, maintenance is something that, now and then, you'll probably have to do. The good news is that elliptical trainer maintenance is minimal, and very easy and quick to do. A little preventative attention now and then will help your machine run smoother for longer.
Lube It Up!
A very simple task you can do to maintain your elliptical is to lube the rails. This reduces the friction between the rail and the wheel, and keeps things running smoothly and quietly. If you have been hearing a squeak, then you probably need to lubricate your rails.
Many ellipticals actually ship with a small bottle of lubricant, but if not then check your owners manual to see which ones are okay to use. Generally, lubricant is applied directly to the rail itself, but some models have a lubrication valve.
For best maintenance, you should lubricate your rails annually at minimum. If you are a heavy exerciser, then you may want to do this more often, every 6 months or so.
Use A Mat
Prevention is sometimes the best protection. To keep elliptical trainer maintenance needs to a minimum, get a rubber equipment mat to place underneath your elliptical. This helps keep dust from invading your drive mechanism, and also protects your flooring. Rubber equipment mats generally cost around $50... and they can save you much, much more than that by protecting your drive belt!
Elliptical Trainer Parts
Your elliptical, as well as other cardio exercise machines, needs regular cleaning and tune ups to make sure all is well, and to make sure your parts don't wear out before their time.
There are some elliptical trainer parts that you need to pay attention to and maintain, and that you can replace yourself if need be. These include your console, ramp wheels, resistance brakes, eddy motors, power cords, batteries, wire harnesses, transformers, incline ramps, pulleys, and drive belts.
If your elliptical is still under warranty, then you aren't losing anything in contacting the manufacturer and having them do it. But if you aren't under warranty, then it is easy to do it yourself. You can find elliptical trainer parts online, and they are simple to install. Many ellipticals don't come with great warranties, so if you haven't purchased your machine yet the warranty quality is something to keep in mind.
Find out more tips on on how to buy an elliptical exercise machine
