Storing weights outside? - Project Sports
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Storing weights outside?

6 min read

Asked by: Leon Alaska

Iron and steel weights will rust at a much faster rate when kept outside as they oxidize with water and air. To keep your weights from rusting outside you should wipe them down after every use, frequently apply a lubricant or rust inhibiting solution, and store them in a cool and dry place when not in use.

Can weights be left outside?

Can You Leave Weights Outside? Yes, especially if your weights have a rubber exterior. You can still safely leave your steel weights outside, but maintenance is essential to prevent rust on weights kept outside. Wiping them off is necessary, but you should clean them with soap every once in a while.

How do you store barbell weights outside?

Your barbell should be stored off the ground in a dry place away from direct sunlight without any weights on it. Storing it horizontally either on your squat rack or on a wall-mounted barbell rack is best, but depending on the type of barbell you have, you can store it vertically if you need to save space.

Can you keep a barbell outside?

Keeping a barbell outdoors will invite rust, dust, and very much shorten the lifespan of it’s bearings, but if you’re just doing stuff that doesn’t require the barbell to spin, then it’s probably fine.

How can you prevent weight from rusting?

Not Oiling: It is important that you occasionally wipe your barbell, plates, and dumbbells down with 3-in-1 oil. The oil provides a protective coating against rust. Generally, once a month is recommended for oiling.

Will weights rust if left outside?

Iron and steel weights will rust at a much faster rate when kept outside as they oxidize with water and air. To keep your weights from rusting outside you should wipe them down after every use, frequently apply a lubricant or rust inhibiting solution, and store them in a cool and dry place when not in use.

Will barbells rust?

Unless your steel barbells have some sort of special coating or are made of stainless steel, the humidity in your garage will cause them to rust. The rust doesn’t look good, it gets on your clothes when you lift, and it can shorten the lifespan of your barbell.

Where should I store weights?


Space. The key to organization is to have a place for everything and to keep everything in its place that's what i did for my gym equipment. If you keep your gym equipment in one space.

Will gym equipment rust in garage?

Yes, your gym equipment will absolutely rust in your garage. Especially, if you live in a hot and humid environment. Even more so if your garage isn’t part of your Central AC (most are not). Moisture and more specifically sweat will wreak havoc on your equipment.

How do you store weights in a garage?

You can put them on a tie. And belt rack you can get these anywhere for about 10 bucks. And it'll get a lot of stuff off the floor.

How do you care for outdoor gym equipment?

Show Your Outdoor Gym Some Love



Here are some final ways to show you care: Give the bars some love with a light coat of bar oil from time to time. Clean it once a week. Candiotes says that in addition to yearly repainting of your equipment, it’s also a good idea to clean it.

Why are my dumbbells rusting?

But over time, rust does develop on iron dumbbells. Why? The reasons could be anything from the quality, storage, or the handling of the equipment. A lot of home gym equipment is coated with paint or plastic, but really has iron inside which is an easy candidate for an inevitable layer of rust.

Is it OK to use rusty weights?

It is safe to use rusty weights as rust is a non-toxic chemical to humans. While it may be safe to use rusty weights, it’s not advised due to staining it can cause to clothes, irritation it can cause to skin, and also because rust is quick and easy to remove from weights with most household items!

Can you get Tetanus from rusty weights?

If your skin gets pierced from anything, be it your own kitchen knife or a rusty old screw, it’s worth making sure that your tetanus shot is up to date. Did You Know?

Can I paint rusty weights?

While not necessary, I recommend taking some extra time to spray paint the weights. We used Rust-oleum 2x Paint + Primer. It’s desgined to cover rust and it’s worked well for us.

Can I spray paint my weights?

So brush my weights down I'm getting ready to spray them put them all together in a row. That. Way I don't get too much paint mist on these. So just going to put a coat over them.

What should I do with old weights?

What to Do with Your Old Exercise Equipment

  1. Sell Used Gym Equipment. If the equipment still works and is just gathering dust in the basement or garage, sell it! New exercise equipment is expensive so many people look for used models to get started. …
  2. Donate Used Gym Equipment. …
  3. Junk It. …
  4. Give It Away.


Does rust make weights heavier?

Also, iron weights can rust, which can make them heavier. This is because the iron in the weight reacts with oxygen and water, which increases the weight of the plates on a molecular level.

Can Coke Dissolve rust?

What Makes Coca-Cola Such an Effective Cleaner? Coca-Cola is carbonated, which allows it to dissolve with metal oxides and break up rust on a variety of metals and alloys. Phosphoric acid also gives it rust-busting power, while citric acid makes it an effective stain remover.

Are rubber weights better than metal?

Rubber can do everything iron can… but better



The sixth, and final, difference between rubber and iron plates is that rubber plates can do everything iron plates can, but iron plates cannot do everything that rubber plates can do.

Why are free weights harder than machines?

Limitations. Unlike free weights, weight machines do not recruit stabilizer muscles. They generally work fewer muscles than free weights. Because they isolate one muscle or a concentrated group of muscles, you’ll have to use other weight machines to work other muscles that you’re wanting to strengthen.

Do bodybuilders use free weights?

Bodybuilders use machine biceps curls, calf raises and triceps extensions to target specific muscles they want to pump up. Remember that muscles don’t know if you are using a machine or a free weight, and any resistance training will trigger a hormonal response which enhances muscle growth.

What are the disadvantages of free weights?

The Free-weight Disadvantage



You must learn to balance the weight while exerting force. This can be difficult—and potentially dangerous—if you are lifting weights overhead. The isolation of specific muscles can be difficult. To target the muscle you want, you must use very precise technique.

Do free weights build more muscle?

In general, free weights activate more muscles than machines and therefore are better for building muscle in the long-run. However, towards the end of your session when your muscles are tired and your form is starting to suffer, machines are safer and can help you to continue training safely.

What is the best time to lift weights?

While weightlifting any time of day is better than none at all, research shows weightlifting in the late afternoon/ early evening has the most benefits. If you work out later in the day, you’ll have more fuel to burn as energy, and your body temperature will peak, which is closely related to improved performance.

Are cables better than free weights?

Free weights offer more variety, but less stability. There is no “resting point” while using cable machines, unlike free weights, but both are very effective with a goal to create muscle and improve strength for different reasons.