Blog Post

Drywall and Damage

  • By Dimond Fitness Equipment
  • •
  • 02 Nov, 2018
  • •

A permanent solution to constant drywall upkeep.

Drywall is an extremely common part of most—if not all—gym facilities.  There are plenty of upsides: it’s easy to paint, you can add wall storage, and it insulates well. However, when it comes to hardiness and durability, drywall can struggle. Since studs run typically vertically every 16-32 inches, it can force you to mount things in less than ideal places.  Concrete or block walls are always ideal, but this article aims to address common issues with drywall: scuff marks, dents, and holes.


Let’s take the common combination of a plate loaded machine next to a wall. These machines are always surrounded by several pairs of 45 and, on occasion, 100 pound weight plates. These plates are set against the wall when not in use. Regardless of whether these plates are iron or rubber coated, having them lean against drywall is a recipe for disaster. It creates smudges, dents, and worst of all, holes in the wall. For prospective members, it makes for a gym that looks worn out and not well maintained.   Repairing drywall on your own is certainly possible, but can get complicated and labor intensive quickly.


One permanent solution to this problem is getting aluminum or thick poly plastic diamond plating for the bottom border of your walls. Think of the kick plates on high traffic doors. This extra layer of protection will guard against weight plates and machines being inadvertently banged or moved against the wall. It is important to place the diamond plating high enough up the wall that it will be taller than any plate diameter.  Aluminum plating is a better protector over time, although it does have a higher up front cost.


Overlooking seemingly insignificant details such as scuff marks or holes in the wall can be easy when you’re juggling the many headaches a gym owner has to deal with.  However, a clean, organized facility will help set you apart as an established professional. You only get to make a first impression once! In addition, doing this repair once will set you up for minimal maintenance down the road. The plating can be washed with a cleaning spray and cloth towel—save the putty knife and paint bucket for another day.


Some questions to consider:

What repairs have you seen in the facility you train at that stood out to you?

In the past, what elements of different gyms blew you away?

What other common issues do you see that could be addressed?


Let us know your thoughts and/or questions in the comment section, or contact us directly at info@dimondfitnessequipment.com.

Recumbent Bikes: Ideal Equipment for Older Members

By Dimond Fitness Equipment • 04 Jan, 2019
Recumbent bikes are an excellent tool to have on hand. Here are a few things to look for when purchasing one.

Pros and Cons of Plastic Shrouding

By Dimond Fitness Equipment • 29 Nov, 2018

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!


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