Having a treadmill, elliptical, or other piece of fitness equipment at home makes it easier to maintain a consistent exercise routine. But finding space for larger equipment can be challenging, particularly if you have a smaller home, apartment, or limited indoor storage.
A balcony, patio, or garage may seem like a convenient place to keep your fitness equipment when it isn't in use. However, equipment stored in these spaces can be exposed to dust, dirt, sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
Whether you keep your fitness equipment in a dedicated home gym, garage, or semi-outdoor space, a protective cover can help keep it cleaner and reduce exposure to everyday environmental elements.
Here's what to consider when storing and protecting your fitness equipment.
1. Choose the Right Storage Location
Before purchasing a fitness equipment cover, consider where you plan to store your equipment. The surrounding environment plays an important role in determining how much protection your treadmill, elliptical, or exercise bike needs.
Whenever possible, keep fitness equipment in an enclosed, climate-controlled space. Most residential fitness equipment is designed for indoor use, and prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions can damage electronic components, moving parts, and other materials.
If you need to store equipment in a garage, on a covered patio, or in another semi-outdoor location, consider the following:
Moisture: Keep equipment away from rain, sprinklers, standing water, and areas with excessive humidity.
Sunlight: Direct sunlight and prolonged UV exposure can cause displays, plastic components, and other materials to deteriorate.
Dust and debris: Garages and outdoor spaces can expose equipment to dirt, pollen, leaves, and other airborne debris.
Temperature fluctuations: Extreme heat and cold can affect electronics, lubricants, belts, and other equipment components.
A covered patio or garage may offer some protection, but it does not necessarily provide the same conditions as an indoor environment. Always review your equipment manufacturer's recommendations for storage and operating conditions.
2. Protect Your Equipment with a Fitness Equipment Cover
Once you've identified an appropriate storage location, consider adding a protective cover to help keep your equipment clean and protected.
Treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and other fitness machines contain components that can be difficult to clean thoroughly. Dust and debris can accumulate around displays, consoles, running decks, and other exposed surfaces.
A properly sized fitness equipment cover provides a barrier between your equipment and its surroundings. Depending on where you store your equipment, a cover can help:
Reduce dust and dirt accumulation: Keep dust, pollen, and everyday debris off exposed equipment surfaces.
Limit UV exposure: Help shield equipment from direct sunlight that can contribute to fading and material deterioration.
Reduce routine cleaning: Keep equipment cleaner between workouts and reduce the need to wipe down exposed surfaces as frequently.
Protect unused equipment: Provide an additional layer of protection when machines are not being used regularly.
Why Use a Fitness Equipment Cover Instead of a Tarp?
A tarp may seem like an easy solution, but it isn't necessarily designed to accommodate the shape or dimensions of exercise equipment.
A dedicated fitness equipment cover is designed around the general configuration of a particular type of machine. This can provide a cleaner appearance and more consistent coverage than a loosely draped tarp.
Features such as zippers and drawstrings can also make covers easier to install, remove, and secure. When selecting a cover, consider how frequently you'll need to access your equipment and how it will be stored.
Keep in mind that a fitness equipment cover is not a substitute for proper storage. Standard covers should not be considered waterproof protection against prolonged rain, snow, or extreme weather. Always allow equipment to dry completely before covering it.
3. Choose a Cover That Fits Your Equipment
Fitness equipment comes in a wide variety of sizes and configurations. Choosing a cover that accommodates your machine's dimensions is important for achieving adequate coverage.
At Equip Home Fitness, we offer standardized covers for several types of fitness equipment, including:
Folding treadmills: Covers designed for treadmills stored in their folded position.
Non-folding treadmills: Covers designed for traditional treadmills that remain in their normal operating configuration.
Peloton treadmills: Covers designed specifically for Peloton treadmill equipment.
Before ordering, measure your equipment and compare its dimensions with the cover specifications listed on the product page.
Pay attention to the overall length, width, and height of your machine. For folding treadmills, make sure to measure the equipment in the folded position if that's how you plan to store it under the cover.
A cover that is too small may not provide adequate coverage, while an unnecessarily oversized cover may not sit or drape as intended.
Taking a few minutes to check the dimensions before ordering can help you select a more suitable option.
4. Don't Forget About Indoor Storage
Fitness equipment covers aren't just useful for garages and patios. They can also be valuable for equipment stored indoors.
Even in a dedicated home gym, treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes can accumulate dust over time. This is particularly noticeable when equipment sits unused for extended periods or is stored in rooms that also serve other purposes.
A cover helps keep dust and everyday debris off exposed surfaces between workouts. This can be especially useful for equipment stored in spare bedrooms, basements, multipurpose rooms, or shared living spaces.
Covers can also help maintain a more organized appearance by keeping unused equipment neatly covered when it's not part of your daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my fitness equipment outside with a cover?
A fitness equipment cover can help reduce exposure to dust, dirt, sunlight, and some environmental contaminants, but it does not make equipment suitable for prolonged outdoor storage. Most residential fitness equipment is designed for indoor use. Whenever possible, store your equipment in an enclosed environment and follow the manufacturer's storage recommendations.
Are fitness equipment covers waterproof?
Not necessarily. Fitness equipment covers provide a protective barrier against dust and everyday environmental exposure, but they should not be assumed to provide waterproof protection. Prolonged exposure to rain, snow, or standing moisture can still damage the equipment underneath.
Can I use a tarp instead of a fitness equipment cover?
A tarp can provide basic coverage, but it may not accommodate the shape of your equipment as effectively as a dedicated fitness equipment cover. A properly sized cover is designed for a particular equipment configuration and generally provides a neater, more consistent fit.
Do I need a fitness equipment cover if I store my treadmill indoors?
An indoor cover can still be useful. Dust and debris accumulate even in enclosed spaces, particularly in garages, basements, and multipurpose rooms. A cover helps keep equipment cleaner between workouts and reduces the amount of dust that settles on exposed surfaces.
How do I choose the right size fitness equipment cover?
Start by measuring your equipment's overall length, width, and height. Compare those measurements with the dimensions listed on the cover's product page. If you have a folding treadmill, measure it in the folded position if that's how you plan to store it. Checking all three dimensions will help you determine whether a standard cover is likely to accommodate your equipment.
Should I cover my fitness equipment while it's still wet?
No. Always allow your equipment to dry completely before putting a cover on it. Covering damp equipment can trap moisture underneath, potentially contributing to corrosion, material deterioration, or other damage.
Can I use a treadmill cover on an elliptical or exercise bike?
Not necessarily. Fitness equipment varies in shape and configuration, so covers are designed for particular types of machines. Choose a cover intended for your equipment rather than assuming a treadmill cover will accommodate an elliptical, stationary bike, or another type of exercise machine.
How often should I clean my fitness equipment cover?
The frequency depends on where your equipment is stored and how much dust and debris the cover collects. Check the cover periodically and follow its care instructions when cleaning. Avoid using cleaning products or methods that could damage the material.
Keep Your Fitness Equipment Protected
Whether you keep your treadmill in a home gym, garage, or another storage space, a fitness equipment cover can help keep it cleaner and reduce exposure to everyday environmental elements.
The right cover provides convenient protection when your equipment isn't in use while helping reduce routine cleaning and maintenance.
Explore Equip Home Fitness's selection of folding treadmill covers, non-folding treadmill covers, and Peloton treadmill covers to find an option for your equipment.
