This article aims to highlight the pros and cons of having plastic shrouding on selectorized strength machines and cardio machines. This is a feature that is rarely examined or talked about; however, being thoughtful about purchasing machines with plastic can save you hundreds of dollars in the future.

Selectorized strength and cardio machines tend to have a plastic shrouding somewhere on their frame. You can see examples in the picture above, or on our website ( https://www.dimondfitnessequipment.com/equipment-for-sale/Selectorized-c30705043 ). The plastic typically goes around the weight stack, and often has the logo or name of the manufacturer on it.   There are usually instructions pasted or printed on the plastic—these instructions are very beneficial to new exercises or elderly members who don’t know how to use a machine. Another advantage to the plastic shrouding is that it helps unite multiple machines together for a certain “look”—your gym can have a more professional feel if you get multiple machines from the same manufacturer and line.

However, plastic shrouding can bring on unexpected headaches for gym owners and facility managers. The plastic can be broken during moving and installation if it’s not handled with extra care. Once it’s in the gym, try to keep these machines away from any areas where there are stacks of weight plates, dumbbells, or dynamic movements, as those all increase the risk of the plastic being broken. If it does break, the plastic shrouding will either be a tedious process that’s expensive, or a frustratingly simple one if the manufacturer doesn’t offer plastic replacement.

Even though it’s a small detail, we recommend adding plastic parts and shrouding to your mental checklist when searching for equipment. It can add to your facility’s overall theme, but a big investment may set you up for unexpected issues later.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

·    What are the pros and cons of selectorized vs plate loaded machines for your facility and your specific clientele?

·    Does the manufacturer of the machine you’re considering offer replacement plastic parts and/or shrouding?

If you have any questions or comments, let us know below or email us directly at info@dimondfitnessequipment.com. Thanks for reading!