Elliptical Trainer Safety – Protect What Really Matters To You

You have spent a lot of time researching and purchasing your elliptical exerciser. You are now ready to embark on your fitness plan and begin to see a new, healthier, slimmer you. But before you take your first steps on your new elliptical trainer, make sure you’ve covered all the safety basics. Taking a few simple precautions now will save you a lot of potential annoyance, as well as possible heartbreak later.

The things that matter to us in order of priority are our children, ourselves, and our property. Let’s take a look at each one in order of importance:

1. Protect your children and pets – elliptical trainers have moving parts that are exposed. In particular, the upper body handles, foot rails, and drive assembly accessories. A child’s pinky fingers can get pinched if they get caught in any of these parts, especially where the upper body handles meet the foot rails. No parent wants to confront such an accident with their child.

If you are lucky enough to have reserved a dedicated exercise room, you should invest in a lockable door and keep it closed while the room is not in use. There may be other equipment in the room, such as weights, dumbbells, and even exercise balls that young children should not be left alone with.

Some elliptical trainers come with locking mechanisms that prevent the arms and pedals of the trainer from moving. This is a nice feature if you have kids, but you still need to make sure your kids don’t play on the elliptical trainer. People with children know that children will always find new and imaginative ways to hurt themselves.

2. Protect yourself – It goes without saying that we want to be healthier with regular exercise. After all, that is why you made the investment in your elliptical exerciser. What we tend to forget is that sometimes our body cannot handle the additional demands we place on it.

Get your doctor’s permission before starting an exercise program. Many people think this does not apply to them and instead choose to ignore the warning. Actually, it’s both a warning and good advice. Isn’t it better for your doctor to give you the green light to start an exercise program after a check-up rather than not knowing your actual physical condition?

The important point to remember is to take it easy when starting out. Especially if it has been inactive for a while. And if you feel uncomfortable, stop exercising immediately! Listen to your body. If things don’t feel right, they probably are!

Keep your elliptical exerciser. Elliptical trainers take a lot of stress, and over time the nuts and bolts that hold them together will start to loosen. Once a month, check the tightness of all nuts, screws and bolts and retighten as necessary. Also inspect the welds and bolts for signs of weakness. Order replacement parts or schedule a repair, either in-warranty or out-of-warranty, to replace worn bolts or welds. Serious injury could result if the pedal bolt broke or the arm grip loosen during exercise.

3. Protect your property – the good news is that it is fairly easy and inexpensive to prevent damage to your home and your elliptical.

Invest in an exercise equipment mat to place under your elliptical. This will protect the carpet, linoleum, or wood floor that you placed your elliptical exerciser on. The rubber feet on the base of the machine will leave a black residue on the floor over time. Many online fitness dealers offer mats at a discount or even free with the purchase of an elliptical trainer.

After each exercise session, be sure to wipe the sweat off the elliptical exerciser, including the console. Periodically clean the entire trainer with a mild dish soap and water solution.

Another great investment is in an elliptical trainer cover to avoid dust between workouts. Although slightly more expensive than mats, an elliptical trainer cover will also keep pet hair off your elliptical and can also act as a deterrent for children who want to play on the elliptical.

These basic and inexpensive precautions will make living with your new elliptical exerciser a safe and rewarding experience.