How Often Does a Gym Facility Need to Update Its Equipment?

The best fitness centers feature a wide range of equipment, encompassing a variety of different movement types. However, fitness equipment is a big investment—one that needs to be maintained and repaired with time as equipment ages. If you own or operate a fitness facility, you might be wondering how often equipment needs to be replaced or updated.

The short answer? The frequency of replacing and upgrading fitness equipment varies based on equipment type. Certain kinds of fitness machines, equipment, and accessories need to be replaced or repaired more frequently. Here’s everything you need to know about updating the equipment in your gym.

***Investing in Regular Maintenance Will Prolong Equipment Life***

Why Does Fitness Equipment Need to Be Replaced?

Over time, and with repeated use, all fitness equipment gets worn. Regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your fitness equipment, but eventually, it will wear down and need to be replaced.

There are a number of warning signs that it’s time to replace your equipment: machines that are frequently malfunctioning, equipment that looks tarnished and old, and upholstery that is cracked and faded. At a certain point, equipment can also become so worn and dysfunctional that it is unsafe to use and should be permanently retired.

Additionally, user experience is a big indicator of when it’s time to replace equipment. If your gym users ask about the same machine or piece of equipment over and over again, or regularly complain that something isn't working, it might be time for an update.

When Is Equipment No Longer Safe to Use?

There are also times when a piece of equipment should be permanently retired. Equipment can eventually become unsafe to use, so it is important to complete regular safety checks to minimize the risk of injury and to promptly remove access to equipment that is no longer safe to use.

How Often Should I Be Replacing Equipment?

Every machine, accessory, and piece of fitness equipment is different. Here’s a quick guide for how often to replace each:

Cardio Equipment

Cardio machines should be updated every three to five years, depending on their quality. High-quality cardio equipment that receives regular maintenance can usually last at least five years. Cardio equipment often has consoles that offer interactive technology experiences, such as touchscreens with streaming content, so it’s also important to monitor current trends and make sure your technology (or lack thereof) isn’t making your facility seem outdated.

Strength Training Equipment

When taken care of properly, some strength training equipment can last indefinitely. For example, plate-loaded strength equipment, selectorized strength units, benches, and racks can remain in use for many years with regular maintenance, and are often only updated once replacement parts are no longer available.

Upholstery may wear over time, but often can be replaced to give the existing strength piece new life.

Functional Fitness Accessories and Frames

Functional fitness is very popular right now — and for good reason. Functional fitness frames, like the Escape Frames, are highly versatile pieces of equipment because they can be customized for functional, weighted, and suspension fitness.

Functional fitness accessories, on the other hand, do not last as long. That’s because equipment like corebags, soft Plyoboxes, and Griprs are all intentionally designed with cushioned and soft materials to make them more accessible than traditional iron and steel equipment. Upholstered fabric materials can show signs of wear over time with repeated handling. Items like these generally need to be examined for signs of wear every year or so. As you find certain products starting to look worn, you might want to consider replacing them. Very popular items that get worn within the first few years are probably worth the investment to replace, since that’s a sign that your exercisers love to use them!

Can I Invest in “Evergreen” Fitness Content?

No piece of fitness equipment lasts forever, but you can choose to invest in equipment that connects to the internet and offers new content regularly. For example, the Peloton Bike for commercial gyms comes with multi-user software (unlimited account logins) that updates regularly with new content. It also connects to expert-led classes, guaranteeing users will have something fun and innovative to do every day.

Another interactive piece of equipment is the Aviron Rower. It’s a smart rowing machine that incorporates scenic virtual destinations, workout programs, fun games, competition leaderboards, and more. This catalog of digital content is regularly updated, meaning gym goers will always be entertained and challenged with the Aviron Rower.

Not Sure When to Update? We’ve Got Your Back

Knowing when to update your equipment can be challenging. You don’t want to update too soon and lose out on machines that still have some life in them. On the other hand, if you wait too long to update your equipment you could be pushing people away from your gym. Finding the right balance is the key.

At ASF, we’re here to help. Reach out to us for a consultation, or more information about how to update your gym.