A gym’s first impression is built long before the first rep — it starts with the look and condition of the equipment. Fresh, well-maintained upholstery shows members that you take pride in your facility and care about their experience. Clean, crisp pads make every machine feel newer, safer, and more comfortable. When benches and machines look sharp, members notice — and so do potential clients touring your gym for the first time.

But worn, torn, or cracked pads tell another story. Damaged upholstery doesn’t just look unprofessional — it shortens the life of your equipment and undermines the trust your members place in your facility. Rips create exposed foam, uneven support, and uncomfortable lifting surfaces that affect performance and safety.

More importantly, tears in upholstery can trap moisture and sweat beneath the surface, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Common gym-related contaminants such as Staphylococcus (Staph), E. coli, fungal spores, and odor-producing microbes thrive in warm, damp foam. Once they settle in, they can spread to other equipment, cause unpleasant smells, and even increase the risk of skin irritation or infection for members.

Replacing worn pads isn’t just about looks — it’s about hygiene, longevity, and maintaining a professional training environment. At Active Armor Gym Upholstery, we restore your benches and machines with high-quality, commercial-grade materials designed to withstand heavy use and keep your facility looking clean, safe, and strong!

Why choose Active Armor?

About

My name is Kurtis Blalock, and for the past three years I’ve been providing professional gym upholstery services to fitness centers across North Carolina. What started as a simple interest in restoring equipment has grown into a full-time craft dedicated to keeping gyms looking sharp, clean, and professional.

I specialize in commercial-grade strength equipment, including brands like Hammer Strength, Cybex, and Life Fitness—machines built to take a beating, and machines that deserve upholstery that can, too. Whether it’s benches, selectorized machines, plate-loaded equipment, or custom pads, I understand the unique shapes, stresses, and demands of modern gym gear and how to restore them properly.

My entire setup is fully mobile, allowing me to come directly to your facility and complete most upholstery work on-site. This eliminates the hassle of transporting heavy equipment and allows me to minimize downtime so your members can keep training without interruption. My goal is simple: deliver fast, reliable, high-quality work that makes your equipment look and feel brand new again.