The gym may not seem like a dangerous place, but if a piece of equipment were to fail when loaded with heavy weights, or if a cardio machine were to fall apart when its user was in full stride, serious injuries might result. Although the chances of this happening in any well-maintained gym are incredibly low, it's smart to be aware of what makes a safe, sturdy piece of exercise equipment, whether you're selecting a machine to use at the gym or to purchase for your own home use.
Step 1
Sit down on or step into the piece of equipment. Pay close attention to whether it fits your body. On most weight machines (and cardio machines, too) the seat will adjust up or down as necessary to line your joints up with the machine's axes of rotation. If the machine includes a chest, back or knee pad, it will usually adjust up or down, forward or backward, to accommodate different body sizes.
Step 2
Examine the weight stack. If you're buying equipment for your own use, the weight stack should go up to about 200 pounds. If you're choosing a piece of gym equipment for your workout, look for a weight stack that, ideally, adjusts in 5-pound increments so you can get exactly the right amount of resistance.
Step 3
Examine the machine's frame. Tubular steel with at least a 2-inch diameter (or 2 inches square) is ideal. The machine should be stable; if there's any risk at all of it tipping over, it must be bolted to the floor. This applies, in particular, to exercise equipment like a back extension bench, Roman chair or pull-up bar that is intended to support your full body weight. This is equally valid for both home and gym exercise equipment.
Step 4
Try the machine out. Note whether the handles fit your hands, whether the seat is comfortable (it should be well padded) and whether the machine's motion is smooth and quiet. If you have trouble holding the handles, find the seat uncomfortable or note that the machine's motion is jerky, don't use it in a gym and certainly don't purchase it for your own use.
Step 5
Look out for any uncovered moving parts as you use the machine. This is true for both gym weight machines and cardio machines like ellipticals, bikes and motorized steppers. You'll be moving large amounts of weight on the former and will usually use the latter for extended periods of time. In neither case do you want any risk of snagging clothing, hair, body parts or small fingers (if children are around) on moving parts.
Tips and Warnings
- If any part of an exercise machine feels loose or unstable, it probably is; stay well away from that piece of equipment. Pay attention to how much noise cardio equipment makes; whether you're working out in the gym or at home, a loud machine can quickly turn you off the idea of exercise.
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