How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Moving gym equipment upstairs, into flats and through lifts
Measure the full route
Equipment rarely gets stuck on a straight run. It gets stuck at turns, on landings, at the lift door or on the final doorway. Measure every point the equipment will pass through and compare it with the size of each piece once dismantled.
- Width and height of every door, including frames and closers
- Stair width, headroom and the depth of any turns and winders
- Landing sizes, especially on dog-leg and spiral stairs
- Lift door width, car depth, height and diagonal
- Corridor widths and corners on each floor
- Any handrails, radiators or light fittings that reduce clearance
Lifts: size and rated load
Every lift has a rated load shown on a plate in the car. Passenger lifts are typically rated at about 75 kg per person, so an 8-person lift is usually 630 kg and a 13-person lift 1,000 kg. A heavy treadmill or selectorised machine plus two movers and a trolley can approach the limit of smaller lifts, so check before loading.
| Item | Typical weight | Lift considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Home treadmill | 80 to 150 kg | Often fits once console is removed |
| Commercial treadmill | 150 to 250 kg or more | May need a goods lift or larger car |
| Selectorised machine | 150 to 300 kg | Weight stack removed separately |
| Plate-loaded machine | 100 to 400 kg | Usually dismantled into frames |
| Dumbbell set and rack | Several hundred kg in total | Moved in batches |
Weights vary by model. Use the manufacturer's figures for each machine.
Do not exceed the rated load. Protect the lift car walls and floor with blankets or boards, and confirm with the building manager whether the lift can be switched to independent service so it is not called away mid-move.
Stairs: carry, climb or dismantle
On stairs, equipment is either carried by hand, moved with a powered stair climber, or taken apart into manageable pieces. Stair climbers are tracked or stepping machines that carry heavy loads up and down stairs under control, reducing the manual handling risk. Not every stair is suitable: very tight winders, spiral stairs and some older stairs with weak treads can limit what can be used. Dismantling remains the most common solution, with stacks, decks, motors and frames moved separately.
When equipment goes through a window or balcony
If something genuinely will not fit inside, an external lift may be possible, using a crane, a hoist, or a powered platform lift to a window, balcony or patio door. This is a lifting operation under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, needing a lift plan, competent people and suitable equipment. You may also need permission from the building owner and, if the street or pavement is used, a licence from the highway authority. It is more expensive and needs planning, so it is usually the last resort.
Apartment blocks: permissions and rules
- Contact the building manager or concierge early
- Book the lift, loading bay and any parking well ahead
- Ask whether moves are restricted to set times or days
- Provide a risk assessment and method statement if requested
- Ask about protection for lifts, corridors and floors
- Check your lease for any restrictions on heavy equipment or floor loads
Some leases of flats include clauses about noise, floor coverings and heavy items. If you are installing a home gym in an upstairs flat, check these before moving in and consider acoustic flooring to keep neighbours happy.
Protecting the property
Heavy equipment and tight routes are a recipe for scuffed walls and dented floors. Protection should go down before anything is carried: floor runners or boards along hallways, corner guards on door frames, blankets in lifts and padding on banisters. In communal areas of a block, the building manager may inspect before and after, so take photos of the route at the start. Removing doors from their hinges can sometimes gain the extra few centimetres that make a route work, and it reduces the risk of damage to the door itself.
On the day
Keep the route clear and protected, keep children and pets out of the way, and have someone at each end who knows where each piece is going. Rebuilding in the room is often slower than taking apart, because machines need levelling, cables re-tensioning and safety checks. For upper floors in older buildings, check floor capacity before placing heavy items, especially free-weight racks and dumbbell sets, which concentrate a lot of weight in one spot.
Frequently asked questions
Can a treadmill go in a lift?
Usually, yes, if it fits the car and the combined weight of the treadmill, movers and any trolley stays within the lift's rated load. Many treadmills need the console or arms removed, and some fold. Commercial treadmills can be long and heavy, so measure the car including the diagonal and check whether a goods lift is available.
How do you get a heavy multi-gym upstairs?
Most multi-gyms are dismantled into frames, weight stacks, cables and pulleys, then carried or moved with a stair climber in manageable pieces and rebuilt in the room. Parts are labelled so cables are routed correctly on reassembly. After rebuilding, the machine is tensioned, levelled and tested before use.
Do I need permission to move gym equipment into my flat?
You do not normally need formal permission to move belongings, but many apartment buildings require you to book the lift and loading area, use specific times and protect communal areas. Some leases restrict heavy items or hard floors because of noise. Check your lease and contact the building manager before moving day.
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