Moving a safe or a home gym is very different from moving a sofa or a box of books. These items are heavy, oddly shaped and often sit in the hardest places to reach, like basements, garages, closets and upstairs bedrooms. Here is how professional movers handle safes and gym equipment, and what you can do to make the job safer and easier.
This guide is written for Memphis homeowners and renters, but the same steps apply anywhere. If you would rather leave the lifting to a crew, see our heavy item moving services.
Why Safes and Gym Equipment Need Extra Care
- Weight in a small space. Many home and gun safes weigh hundreds of pounds, with most of that weight packed into a small footprint.
- Top-heavy shapes. Tall safes and some gym machines tip easily once they are tilted.
- Few good handholds. Smooth steel sides and odd frames are hard to grip safely.
- Damage risk. A slip can dent floors, crack tiles, scrape walls or damage stair treads, and it can seriously hurt someone.
What Moving a Safe Involves
When a moving crew handles a safe, the work usually follows the same pattern:
- Check the safe and the route. The crew looks at the size of the safe, how it is anchored, and every doorway, turn and step between the safe and the truck.
- Confirm it is empty and locked shut. The door stays closed and secured so it cannot swing open during the move.
- Protect the path. Floors, door frames and stairs are covered where needed.
- Move it with enough people. The safe is moved slowly and kept under control, especially on stairs.
- Secure it in the truck. Heavy items are loaded so they cannot slide or tip on the road.
- Place it where you want. At your new home the safe is set in the room you choose.
If your safe is bolted to the floor or wall, tell your movers in advance. You may need to have it unbolted before moving day.
How Movers Handle Gym Equipment
Home gym equipment comes in many shapes, so the approach depends on what you own.
Treadmills
Folding treadmills are folded and locked. The power cord is unplugged and secured, and the machine is wrapped to protect the console and frame. Non-folding treadmills are long and heavy, so the route through the house matters even more.
Ellipticals and Exercise Bikes
These often have arms, pedals and screens that stick out. They are wrapped and carried so those parts do not catch on door frames or get bent.
Weight Machines and Free Weights
Weight plates, dumbbells and kettlebells are removed and moved separately. Large multi-station machines may need to be taken apart. If you have the owner’s manual, keep it handy.
How to Prepare Before Moving Day
- Empty the safe and keep firearms, ammunition, documents and valuables with you.
- Remove loose parts from gym equipment, such as plates, bars, clips and accessories.
- Measure the item, plus doors, hallways and stairways on the route.
- Tell your movers everything: the type of item, approximate size and weight, stairs and where it needs to go.
- Clear the path of rugs, small furniture, pets and children.
- Book early if the item is part of a bigger move, so it is planned into the day.
Moving the whole house? Our moving checklist for Memphis homeowners walks you through every week before the move.
DIY or Hire Movers?
A small box safe or a light exercise bike may be manageable with a couple of strong helpers. For a large safe, a gun safe, a non-folding treadmill or anything that has to go up or down stairs, hiring movers is usually the safer choice. You can also hire help just for the heavy part of the job; our guide to labor-only vs full-service movers explains the options.
Related Heavy Items
Safes and gym equipment are not the only items that need extra planning. Pianos have their own piano moving service, large furniture is covered by our furniture moving services, and appliances and pool tables fall under heavy item moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move a safe myself?
Small, lightweight safes can sometimes be moved with the right help, but most home and gun safes are much heavier than they look and are top-heavy. A dropped safe can injure people and damage floors and stairs, so for anything larger than a small box safe it is usually safer to hire movers.
Should I empty my gun safe before movers arrive?
Yes. Remove all firearms, ammunition, documents, cash and valuables before moving day and keep them with you. An empty safe is lighter, easier to control and you stay in charge of what is inside.
Do I need to take apart my treadmill or home gym before moving?
Remove weight plates, loose bars and accessories, and fold the treadmill if it is designed to fold. Larger multi-station gyms may need to be taken apart, so check your owner’s manual and tell your movers what you have when you ask for a quote.
What information do movers need to quote a safe or gym equipment move?
Share the type of item, approximate size and weight if you know it, how many steps or stairs are on the route, door widths and where the item needs to go. Photos can also help.
How much does it cost to move a safe or gym equipment in Memphis?
There is no flat price. The cost depends on the item’s size and weight, stairs and access, distance, the number of movers needed and whether it is part of a full move. Contact the moving company with details for an accurate quote.
Need Help Moving a Safe or Home Gym in Memphis?
Five Star Trusted Movers helps homeowners, renters and businesses across Memphis and Shelby County move safes, gym equipment and other heavy items. Request a free quote or call us at +1 (901) 364-2959.