How To Lubricate An Elliptical Machine

Why should you lubricate an elliptical Machine?

 It is very important to make sure everything on your elliptical machine is working properly, but it’s even more important to take care of its bearings. The bearings are the ones that are used for all the movements. If they are not looked after, they will slow down and be at risk of wearing out. Lots of manufacturers say they are protected against dust, dirt, and sweat but it’s always better to protect yourself by spraying a lubricant on the moving parts after every 5 hours of use.

What happens if you don’t do it? 

The bearings will suffer and may need replacing in a year or so. As soon as you feel that the machine is not as smooth as it should be, go ahead and lubricate the moving parts. 

 How To Lubricate An Elliptical Machine

There are five main steps involved in lubricating an elliptical. These are the arm pieces, the centerpiece, the pedal pieces, the track pieces that are below the arms, and finally the moving parts of the machine which consist mainly of rollers.

Step 1: 

The Arm Pieces 

Begin by disassembling both arms completely by removing the screws that are holding together arms. Make sure to use the proper size Allen wrench for this particular machine or it will strip the screws out, rendering them useless.

Once both arms are disassembled, slide each arm piece onto a lubrication tube along with 4-5 inches of lubrication tubing on each side of the arm assembly. Lubricate inside of each arm piece by attaching the lubrication pump to the tubing that is protruding from each arm.

Once both arms are properly lubricated, reassemble them back onto the machine being sure not to over tighten any of the screws on reassembly. The arms can be put back in place on the machine easily, but they should only be set on the machine snugly. If they are over tightened, this will cause them to stick or bind when in use which can be very uncomfortable for the user.

Once the arms are reassembled it should look similar to figure 1 below.

Step 2: 

The Center Piece –

 Depending on your machine, you may have a small centerpiece that needs to be lubricated. This piece mainly consists of a block and handlebars, but essentially it’s the part that your body is moving while you workout. You will still use the same type of tubing and lubrication pump as was used in step one mentioned above, only this time attach them between the arm assembly and the centerpiece.

Note: The next three steps will be completed in the same manner as was used for step one, using proper size Allen wrenches to avoid stripping screws, lubricating all internal parts, and reassembling components without over-tightening them.

Step 3: 

The Pedal Pieces – 

Begin by removing each pedal off of the mainframe of the elliptical machine. Lubricate both pieces by attaching the lubrication pump to tubing, then inserting it into each pedal piece as shown in figure 2 below.

Note: Usually there is a screw that holds each pedal onto the frame of the elliptical machine. If you are not sure if yours has this type of screw, consult the assembly manual for your elliptical before disassembling them.

Step 4: 

The Track Pieces –

 Begin this step by removing the track pieces on either side of the arms as shown in figure 3 below. There will be two screws that need to be removed, and they go directly into the track itself making them difficult to remove. To remove them easier, take a drill and create two holes directly across from the screws as shown in figure 4 below. by doing this you can simply use a flat head screwdriver to twist out the screws instead of trying to work with the small Allen wrench that is used for assembly.

Once both track pieces are off, lubricate each tube by attaching the lubrication pump to about 6-8 inches worth of tubing. Stick each tube into one of the track pieces, then reassemble it back onto the machine being sure not to over tighten any of the screws that you just loosened up.

Figure 5 below shows what your machine may look like once all three track pieces are attached and the track pieces are properly lubricated.

Step 5: 

The Moving Parts – 

Begin by removing the rollers from their holder, and attach them to your lubrication tubing with several inches of lubrication tubing on either side. Then begin applying a generous amount of lube directly onto each moving part such as shown in figure 6 below.

Note: It’s very important that you lubricate all moving parts on an elliptical machine. These parts are designed to move together and the friction from them rubbing against each other will cause excessive wear over time which could lead to costly repairs or even a breakdown of your machine.

Lubricating these internal pieces should only take about 20-30 minutes total and will allow you to extend the lifespan of your elliptical machine while also improving its performance. Always be sure to apply a generous amount of lubricant, and always reassemble all components back onto your machine properly not over-tightening any of the screws.

Concluding Thought

Hopefully, you have a clear idea about how to lubricate an elliptical machine reading this article. Now, I would advise you to lubricate your elliptical at least once a month. It will help protect the components of the machine and keep them running smoothly.