Almost all brands and models of home gyms and commercial gyms are equipped with snap links (sometimes called spring snap links) attached to the ends of the gyms cables to facilitate the easy changing of gym attachments, like 48 inch lat bars, triceps ropes, ab straps or ankle straps. They are very convenient, but are often neglected and overlooked and the failure of a snap link could result in significant injury to the user, if a gym attachment becomes disconnected from a cable during use.

Before using a position a home gym or a commercial gym, insure that the spring of the associated snap link is functioning and is strong enough to completely close the locking tab and that the locking tab seats correctly. If you notice any defect in one of the gym's snap links, replace it before using that position. A test of all of the snap links on a gym should also be done as part of a routine preventive maintenance program done by the gym's service provider.

When you consider the type of injuries that could occur as the result of a failed snap link on a gym, like a lat bar slamming into a person's head, the cost of replacing the defective link is an inexpensive, wise investment in safety. Some snap links have been replaced by S-hooks, which are extremely dangerous and should be replaced immediately. The S-hooks should not be used on gym's to connect lat bars or other removable gym attachments, because they do not lock closed and allow the gym attachment to come off the end of the gym cable without warning.

If you are an athletic director or fitness director, who is responsible for a school weight room, we suggest that you keep several on hand to encourage prompt replacement as soon as a defective snap link is reported.