If you’re one of the Chicagoans that are all about that healthy lifestyle and toned body, you probably love your workout routines. You also worked hard for getting all that gym equipment you have at home. Benches, dumbells, a treadmill, other weight machines – you must be proud of your little collection which you diligently use. But, what about relocating all your gym equipment to another part of our Windy city? Even someone who is not an expert can tell you this will be a tough one.
When relocating, there is a lot of furniture, clothes, and other goods to pack, disassemble and transport to a new place. Same goes for the gym equipment, with only one exception – gym gear is delicate and quite heavy at the same time. Here are some pieces of advice on how to move your home exercising equipment and relocate with ease.
Start with organizing and cleaning
If you are relocating, you want all of your stuff, including the home gym gear, to be clean and ready to use when you move in. Especially when you are exercising and sweating over your workout machines, yoga mats, benches, etc., it does get dirtier than everything else. Be the one to disinfect and wipe all the equipment before taking it apart. While you’re at it, you can check it’s condition – see if there are any loose (or missing) screws or if something is broken.
In addition to cleaning, organizing your gym gear in advance can make the packing process much smoother. Categorize the items based on their size and type, and determine which items need special care. This initial organization will save you time and hassle when it’s time to pack.
Disassemble large pieces
Do you even remember how you assembled your machines in the first place? Better yet, do you still keep the manuals? If the answer is no, don’t worry. You are not the only one to treat the assembling manuals of pretty much anything with less care. They can find their way to the trashcan for various reasons. That’s why, when disassembling, you’ll have to label the parts and carefully pack them.
Also, take extra care of some fragile items, as well as the cables, by wrapping them carefully. Use resealable bags for screws, bolts, and smaller components, and tape them securely to the respective equipment. Taking photos before disassembly can also serve as a useful reference when reassembling later.
Hire reliable Chicago movers for help
As previously mentioned, home gym machines and equipment are much heavier than all the other furniture in the house or apartment. Since you probably won’t be able to transport it by yourself – sometimes even disassembling might be a problem – you’ll have to find help. Luckily, there are many Chicago moving companies to choose from.
Our advice is to hire them as soon as possible so hurry up with the in-house estimates. You will be able to find the certified team of movers for decent pricing. Look for movers with experience in handling heavy, delicate, and specialty items like gym equipment. Be sure to ask about their insurance policies to protect your investment during the move.
Pack the weights carefully
If you are not hiring the relocation company team to pack your belongings as well (which can be the option), you’ll have to do it by yourself. Bear in mind that cardboard boxes won’t do any good in this case – the storage boxes have to be sturdy. Also, while packing, make sure to protect the weights before putting them inside since the friction and moving around can break the box.
Just like with labeling the boxes with fragile items, you’ll need to label these as ‘heavy.’ You don’t want your movers to get a hernia! For extra safety, distribute the weight evenly between multiple smaller boxes rather than overloading one large box. This will make them easier to carry and reduce the risk of injury or damage during transport.
Conclusion
Relocating your home gym equipment can be challenging, but with proper preparation and organization, it’s entirely manageable. Start by cleaning and inspecting your gear to ensure everything is in top shape. Carefully disassemble larger machines, label parts, and pack fragile items with care. Hiring experienced Chicago movers can save you significant time and effort, especially when dealing with heavy or bulky equipment.
Finally, packing weights securely and using sturdy boxes ensures safe transportation. By following these steps, you’ll protect your valuable equipment and set yourself up for a smooth transition. Whether you’re moving across Chicago or to a neighboring suburb, you can rest assured that your home gym will be ready to help you stay fit and active in your new space.