The cables on a Bowflex home gym do a lot of work, and they wear gradually enough that it’s easy to miss. They’re also under load right where your hands and face are, so a quick check is worth the few minutes it takes. A cable that lets go in the middle of a rep can hurt you.
How to inspect your cables
Do this with the machine at rest and no resistance on the cable. Pull each cable out slowly and look along the whole length, including the parts that normally sit inside the machine and around the pulleys. Run a dry rag along it if you can’t see well, since it will snag on broken strands. Look for:
- Frayed or broken strands
- Cracks, splits or bubbles in the outer coating
- Flat spots or kinks
- Rust or discoloration
- Wear near the ends and at the fittings
Check everything the cable touches
- Pulleys. They should spin freely and smoothly, without wobble. A stuck, cracked or rough pulley will quickly wear a cable out.
- Clips and hooks. Look for bent carabiners or clips that don’t snap closed. Replace any that are damaged.
- Routing. Make sure the cable is sitting in each pulley groove and hasn’t jumped out. A cable that’s off its track can get chewed up.
- Frame bolts. Tighten anything that’s worked loose. Your manual will show the proper hardware.
Keeping cables in good shape
- Wipe down the cables and rails with a dry or slightly damp cloth, following your manual. Don’t spray oil or household lubricants on them unless your manual says to.
- Let the weight or resistance return with control, and don’t let the handles snap back.
- Stay within the range the machine is designed for, and pull along the normal path. Pulling at sharp angles can wear the cable and pulleys.
- Keep the machine in as dry a place as you can. Moisture is hard on cables, and Florida garages are tough on all kinds of equipment.
When to replace a cable
Stop using the machine and replace the cable if you find frayed strands, a crack that goes through the coating, a kink that won’t straighten, or damaged ends. Don’t tape over the damage and keep using it.
Use the cable that’s made for your exact model. Lengths, fittings and routing vary, so a cable that looks close may not fit or be safe. Note how the old one is routed before you take it out, and take a photo or two. It’s easy to lose track of the path around the pulleys, and that’s where many people get stuck.
When to call
If you’d rather not deal with it, or a cable keeps wearing out quickly, I can come to your house and look at the whole system. See home gym repair for what I work on, book a service call online to see your flat price, or text me at 850-733-8492 with your model number.
