At Stray Dog Strength, our goal is to create versatile, durable equipment that performs reliably in high-use environments. Over the past 25 years, we’ve refined our designs to minimize common maintenance and warranty issues, ensuring our products withstand the demands of daily commercial/institutional use. We proudly back this commitment with a lifetime warranty on all welds and frames, standing behind the quality and longevity of our equipment.
Just like a vehicle requires maintenance after certain miles, weightlifting equipment needs attention after hundreds of hours of use. At Stray Dog Strength, we work closely with our customers to support both warranty claims and repairs, even offering assistance with parts not covered under warranty to help extend the life of the equipment. To review our Warranty Policy or submit a claim, click here.
ECORE Flooring Maintenance
We have been partnered with ECORE Athletic since 2009 to sell and install their flooring. Over the last 15 years we have learned a lot about flooring products, layout, installation and maintenance. Pictured above at Springboro HS is an inlaid custom logo platform, the lifting area is using the ECORE Steel Appeal color-way. If you do not use E-Cleaner, the nice gray material and white logo will begin to fade/become dirty. BUT do not fear with proper maintenance such as shown in the video below, this can be avoided!
To purchase ECORE E-Cleaner Click Here
Best Ways to Keep Floor Clean Without Actually Cleaning It
- Do not allow dirty or “outside shoes”
- Do not allow people to walk through the room if they are not training, especially platforms
- Add a floor mat or grip mat to help remove dirt from shoes
- Keep the hallway outside the weight room clean
- Do not allow non training to take place in this area
Racks
Our Racks have a lifetime warranty on the weld/frame just like all our products as we stand behind our, Columbus Ohio, hand made equipment. The Bar cups and Spotter arms also have a lifetime warranty to the weld/frame, but the plastic is not under warranty. We have been using the sandwich style bar cups we use now since 2019, these do not need replaced for 10-20+ years depending on use and we are yet to replace a pair.
We are very confident in our racks and back them by our Lifetime Warranty but there are some maintenance suggestions we have listed below.
Frame- Make sure all bolts are tightened and clean off the rack with a cleaning solution and a rag
Attachments=Make sure all bolts are tight, the plastic protection is still intact and nothing has been bent or damaged
Cable Machine Attachments-Refer to Cable Machines section for machine maintenance suggestions.
Attachments
We pride ourselves in making innovative and space saving rack attachments, many of them replace stand alone machines or pieces of large equipment in rack attachable versions. Pictured above is our GOAT Attachment being used with a pair of Alpha Single Rollers. These attachments often do not require any regular maintenance, but we have included some things to check up on every now and then.
Most of our attachments do not require any maintenance but if you want to be precautious, these are some maintenance/bolt tightening recommendations we have.
GOAT Attachment– check tightness of tube do not over tighten it but ensure the nut stops rotating when tube moves, you could lightly apply lube to bearing by removing the tube, tighten bumper/stop.
Lever Arms– check tightness of tube do not over tighten it but ensure the nut stops rotating when tube moves, lightly apply lube to bearing by removing the tube, tighten bumper/stop. For the trolley make sure all 4 rollers are not loose but not too tight to allow them to roll for smooth adjustment.
Alpha Arms– check tightness of tube, lightly apply lube to bearing by removing the tube, tighten bumper/stop. For the trolley make sure all 4 rollers are not loose but not too tight so they can roll to allow smooth adjustment, make sure bolt in side to side pivot is tight but not over tight.
Landmine– Make sure that the bolt connecting the barbell tube and block joint is tight but still able to move smoothly. Check the adjustable nut to make sure it is not stripped or cracked.
Neck Attachment– Make sure the bolt holding the frame together is tight, it is not a pivot bolt so do not worry about it being over tight. You could remove the threaded rod and lightly apply some lube to the bronze bushing.
Fixed Low Pulley– Make sure that the pulley is not cracked, make sure the cable is not frayed, make sure the bolt holding the cable on is tight, make sure the pulley bolt is tight but not over tight.
Bridge Attachment-Make sure all bolts are tight including TV and Logo Mounts.
Cable Machine Attachments-Refer to machines section
Benches/Pads
All our benches use custom American hand made upholstery using a proprietary thread to extend the life of the pad. These benches frames are covered under our warranty for life but the pads only have a 60 day warranty, this is because unless something unanticipated happens the pads will last for 15+ years, they are easy to tear with a sharp object but with regular lifting use they should last for years. If something unexpected happens, we can sell you replacement pads that can easily be added to our benches or any machine.
We also make wear covers that extend the life of the pad by adding extra upholstery covering where the head would lay for benching, this is a common wear spot. We opted for a stainless steel handle so it will last longer than the bench itself.
Bench Maintenance/Bolt Check Up Recommendations
- Check all frame bolts are tightened but make sure the ladder bolts are not over tight.
- Make sure the bumpers and wheels on the bottom of the bench are tight
- Make sure pads are securely fastened (multiple bolts connecting to frame underneath) make sure pad is not ripped or cracked.
- Use a barbell brush to clean the stainless steel knurled handle as it will never come apart or break down, only needing cleaned to stay perfect.
- Make sure spotter plate is securely fashioned to the frame.
Machines
We recommend using WD-40 or another lubricant spray, just apply a little to the top plate where it touches the guide rods and move the top plate up and down guide rods. This will spread out the lubricant both to the guide rods and the top plate.
Pads
Maintenance/Upkeep recommendations for machines
- Check all bolts to make sure they are tight but not over tightened, especially those in the pulley housing.
- Apply WD-40 or other lubricant to the guide rods, spray just a little on the top plate and move it up and down the guide rods to spread it out
- Ensure sure cable is not frayed, if it is contact us
- Ensure pulleys are securely tightened but not over-tightened, as excessive tension can cause unwanted friction
- Check pads for tears and ensure they are secured to the frame
Bumpers, Plates and DB's
Bumpers, Plates and DB’s are high use and heavy weight products that are prone to being dropped. That is why we only sell high quality bumpers and DB’s to ensure what we sell will hold up unless it is abused. With that said, there is no maintenance required for these items other than basic cleaning, if they are damaged they can be dangerous to use so if you have an issue please contact us ASAP and or fill out the warranty claim request form. Found Here.
If you have a DB with a wobbly head or a plate with a loose center ring, stop using it and contact us immediately.
Custom Bumper and Change Plates- 4 Year Structural Warranty Under Normal use
Stray Dog Strength Bumpers and Change Plates- 4 Year Structural Warranty Under Normal use
Rubber Dumbbells- 3 Year Structural Warranty Under Normal use
PU Dumbbells- 5 Year Structural Warranty Under Normal use
Barbell Maintenance
Limited Life Time Warranty
Warranty against bending does not cover any bar which has been damaged due to negligent
or faulty use, alteration, maintenance, storage or handling by the user. Negligent or faulty use
includes abusive dropping of the bar. Normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty. For More information please contact us at sales@straydogstrength.com or 614-771-9220.
To properly clean a barbell and maintain its longevity, follow these steps:
1. Brush the Bar
- Use a nylon brush for regular cleaning or a stainless steel brush for deeper cleans, especially for bars with rust or debris. Gently brush the knurling to remove chalk, dirt, and dust. Avoid harsh brushes that can damage the bar’s finish.
2. Wipe it Down
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water or a mild soap solution to wipe down the entire bar, including the sleeves. Avoid soaking the bar or getting water into the sleeves.
3. Use Bar Oil or Lubricant
- Apply a 3-in-1 oil or a specialized barbell oil to protect the steel from rust. Lightly coat the bar and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe off the excess with a clean cloth.
4. Check the Sleeves
- Regularly clean the barbell sleeves to ensure they rotate smoothly. Use the same brush and lubricant, and inspect for debris. If necessary, you can disassemble the sleeves to clean the bearings or bushings.
5. Prevent Rust
- After cleaning, store your barbell in a dry area away from moisture. If your gym is in a humid environment, you may need to oil the bar more frequently to prevent rust.
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your barbell, ensuring smooth performance and safety for years to come.
Bands
Bands are the most fragile and have lowest life expectancy of any product in a facility. In high heat or sun exposed areas, bands will break down faster, so it is important to store them in a dark cool place and not outside in the equipment shed so you have them by the field. Bands are expected to last 6-48 months depending on usage and storage conditions.
Bands do not require any maintenance other than basic cleaning and checking for tears/holes.
Bands can provide over 100 pounds of tension depending on thickness and stretch, making it crucial to use new or like-new bands without cuts, scratches, or holes, as damaged bands are more prone to snapping. In addition to inspecting for visible damage, watch for signs of band fatigue or loss of elasticity. While bands typically last 6-48 months with regular use, they may last up to five years in home gyms if properly stored and not heavily used.
Avoid using a brand new band and an older band on opposite sides of a barbell, even if they are the same size. The older band will have less strength and elasticity compared to the new one, leading to imbalanced tension.
Med Balls VS Slam Balls
Pictured above is a Stray Dog Strength Logo Dynamax Medicine Balls, these balls are not slam balls and will break with repeated use for slams. They are intended to use for various movements such as wall ball, core work and much more. Medicine balls have bounce to them, so if you slam them they can come back up and hit you in the face. Slam Balls are soft and conform to the floor when slammed and do not bounce back.
Conclusion
Over the last 25 years we have learned it is not just important to provide great products but ones that will last for 15+ years in these high use environments of team training. By standing by our products with our warranty plan, we build trust with our customers and help them keep their equipment in working condition if it is covered under warranty or not. If you have a maintenance question we did not cover please reach out to use directly at sales@straydogstrength.com or call us at 614-871-9220
