Tip 1. How to clean a SMARTBAR
We recommend regularly cleaning your SMARTBAR using water and a mild soap or detergent. Apply the diluted soap/detergent solution to a soft (lint-free) cloth and then apply to the barbell. When cleaning the gator heads, please ensure that the cleaning solution does not seep in between parts or into mechanisms. Also, please DO NOT spray any cleaning solution directly onto the SMARTBAR. An excess of liquid in the gator heads can result in long-term exposure to concentrated cleaning solution, which can have an effect on the performance and safety of the SMARTBAR.
Using chemical cleaning products is not currently recommended – the variance of ingredients between different cleaners (and how each reacts to the materials and components in the equipment) means that there is not yet a simple answer to which chemical cleaner is safe to use – but we are working on finding an acceptable option.
Please remember our warranty only covers cleaning as has been described above. SMARTBARs that are damaged due to other cleaning methods ARE NOT covered under our warranty.
Click here to see our updated Wear Care information.
APPROVED CLEANING ALTERNATIVE
If cleaning is required beyond the use of mild soap or detergent, we have recently tested and approved the use of Wet Forget Indoor Disinfectant Cleaner for use on SMART TECH equipment when following the same guidelines as indicated above.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT use Wet Forget Outdoor – it is not the same!
Tip 2. Do not drag a SMARTBAR to or from the workout position
We are becoming increasingly aware of reported damage occurring to the SMARTBAR whereby the rubber (TPE) bumper plate on the end of the gator becomes damaged or detached from the main assembly. See images below.
This damage is the result of the SMARTBAR being dragged by users, along the floor to or from a workout position – with or without weights attached.
When a SMARTBAR loaded with weight plates is dragged along the floor, the additional weight on the gator creates friction, which quickly results in the detachment of the TPE Bumper from the main part of the gator. While dragging the SMARTBAR without weights did not always cause the TPE bumper to detach, the attachment of the parts was compromised, leaving them likely to deteriorate.
Damage caused by dragging the SMARTBAR along the floor is NOT covered under the warranty. We recommend asking Instructors to remind members to avoid dragging their equipment to and from their workout position.
Tip 3. Always correctly load and unload SMARTBAR weights
We are aware some people load and unload weight plates with the SMARTBAR in a vertical position. This is not recommended due to shock loading, which can occur during the loading procedure, and additional force on the locking cams and handle during the unloading process. The correct procedure for loading and unloading weight plates, is in the horizontal position with the bar sitting on the floor.
The correct procedure can be seen in the video for the SMARTBAR and weights at https://lesmills.com.au/smart-tech/equipment-care. The directions for loading and unloading start 30 seconds into the video, but the whole clip is worth watching!
The below excerpt is from the SMARTBAR warranty document, which can be accessed in full at www.lesmills.com/merchandise/equipment/warranty.
