Outdoor gym equipment is a smart investment for public spaces and institutions alike. It offers a free way for your community members to get active, improving physical and mental health and resulting in better outcomes for your community and your organization.
That said, outdoor gyms come with a unique challenge: weather exposure. Rain, heat, cold, and salt from the environment put considerable wear and tear on equipment, which can shorten its lifespan and present safety concerns.
For the best possible outcomes for your outdoor exercise space, it’s important to protect it from weather. Read on to learn how to select the right equipment, properly install, and care for your equipment to minimize the impact of weather.
Why Weather Protection Matters for Outdoor Gym Equipment
Unlike indoor fitness equipment, outdoor gym equipment has nearly constant exposure to the elements. Without proper weather protection, you risk:
- Shortened equipment lifespan: Equipment can rust, corrode, and deteriorate much more quickly without weather protection.
- Greater safety risks: Damaged and broken equipment presents significant injury risk to your community.
- More expensive maintenance costs: Weather damage may require costly repairs or replacement altogether, dramatically increasing the cost of maintaining your outdoor gym.
How Weather Damages Outdoor Gym Fitness Equipment
Differing weather conditions present different threats to your outdoor gym equipment, from rust and corrosion to fading, cracking, and more. Depending on your location, a single piece of equipment may be exposed to snow and ice, rain, wind, and extreme heat over the course of a single year. Read on to learn the different types of weather damage your outdoor gym fitness equipment may face.
Rain and Humidity
While metal provides plenty of durability and strength to outdoor gym equipment, it doesn’t handle moisture well. Without proper protection, rain, humidity, and other sources of moisture can cause metal equipment to rust and corrode. From deteriorating structures to seized joints and bearings, outdoor gym equipment in wet environments can face serious challenges.
Heat and UV Exposure
Prolonged UV exposure is another common source of metal corrosion, known as photo corrosion. It also degrades paint and sealants more quickly and accelerates rusting.
UV exposure also presents risks to plastic components. It can cause plastic seats and handle grips to become brittle and crack, creating unstable surfaces and sharp edges.
Snow, Ice, and Cold
In addition to damage caused by moisture, snow and ice presents unique risks when it comes to outdoor fitness equipment. Water gets trapped in cracks and crevices, then expands as it freezes. This can create pressure that can distort metal parts. Snow and ice can also cause components to seize, rendering equipment unusable.
Salty Air
Is your outdoor gym located along a coastline? If so, it may face significant damage as a result of salty air. Salt accelerates the reactions that cause metal to rust and corrode. In fact, sea air can cause metal to corrode up to 10 times faster. Even 50 miles inland, your outdoor gym equipment may still undergo significant damage as a result of salty air without proper protection.
How To Protect Outdoor Gym Equipment from Weather
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to protect your outdoor gym equipment from damage due to weather. Check out some of these tips to improve your outdoor gym equipment’s weather protection and extend its lifespan.
Begin With Weatherproof Equipment
Protecting your gym equipment from weather begins with buying weatherproof outdoor gym equipment. Look for the following to identify whether your prospective gym equipment is designed with proper protection:
- High-gage steel frame: High-gage steel offers excellent durability and impact resistance to resist warping and misshaping as a result of strong winds, heavy snow piles, or extreme heat.
- Weatherproof powder coating: Look for equipment that has at least a 6 mil. layer of powder coating to resist rust, corrosion, and UV damage. Ideally, it should be coated in several layers of different minerals and materials for the best possible outcome.
- No plastic or rubber: Even with the best weatherproofing, plastic and rubber simply don’t offer excellent durability outdoors. Look for equipment made without any plastic or rubber for the most longevity.
Practice Proper Installation Techniques
Once you’ve selected the best outdoor gym equipment, it’s time to plan your installation. Follow these tips to enhance the weather protection of your outdoor gym:
- Choose a north-facing placement: The southern side of a building typically gets the most sun exposure, so it’s best to avoid. Choose the north side of a building for the most sun protection.
- Look for natural shade: If you can, install your equipment in a naturally shady spot. Large trees can provide shade for your equipment, but they can also drop leaves and sap that make a mess of your outdoor gym. Be sure to research your trees before installing equipment beneath them.
- Add plenty of drainage: To prevent standing water and ice from forming around outdoor gym fitness equipment bases, make sure you’ve installed proper drainage in your foundation.
Perform Ongoing Maintenance
When your gym is up and running, it’s important to continue to practice proper weather protection to ensure its longevity. Routine maintenance is the best way to ward off excessive damage from inclement weather. Perform these steps on a regular basis:
- Clean your equipment: Wipe down outdoor gym equipment with a multi-purpose cleaner to get rid of built-up salt, dust, and debris. Then, wipe down surfaces to dry and excess moisture.
- Inspect your equipment: Test all equipment to ensure that all moving parts are functioning correctly. Look for signs of rust or corrosion on the surface or within joints. If found, use a rust remover to clean.
- Repair chipped coatings: If you notice any spots where the powder coating appears to be wearing down, touch it up as soon as possible. Even a small crack can let moisture seep in and cause corrosion.
Add External Protection
While it’s smart to select weatherproof outdoor gym equipment that can stand up to constant exposure to the elements, your equipment will last longer if you can limit its exposure. Use these techniques to provide a bit of external protection and help your equipment last longer:
- Use tarps in inclement weather: Simply covering your equipment with a tarp can do wonders in terms of weather protection. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and, when rain or snow are all the horizon, throw a tarp over your equipment. Secure it with bungee cords or rope to prevent it from blowing away.
- Install an overhang: For a more permanent solution, install an overhang over your outdoor gym area. It will provide shade in the summer, protect your equipment from rain in the spring, and keep snow out in the winter.
Make Weather Protection Easy With TriActive USA Weatherproof Outdoor Gym Equipment
Whether you’re upgrading your outdoor gym or building a new outdoor gym, choosing the right equipment can make your life a lot easier. At TriActive USA, we’ve got a wide selection of weatherproof outdoor gym equipment, from exercise bikes and ellipticals to presses, bars, and even accessible gym equipment. Set yourself up for success by exploring our online catalog, or contact us to find the perfect equipment for your outdoor gym.
