Whether you’re starting up a new gym or simply updating your current furnishings, choosing the right commercial gym equipment for your needs can be a difficult task because there are so many options to choose from. So if you too are feeling a little lost and need some help then we’ve put together this guide so you can make a more informed purchasing decision. We will cover all aspects of purchasing including considering your space, types of kit, customisation, finance/leasing options and even product warranty.
Before we begin, the first and most important area to consider is quite simply ‘what type of gym are you going to be?’
Over the past 20 years the fitness industry has changed greatly and there is now a huge variation in the types of gym facilities available. For example, it will be harder to select the correct equipment for a standard gym aimed at a broad market, since you will require a wider variety of assets to please all clientele – compared to a more focused gym that will only require a specific range for a very specific target audience.
In such a competitive market, being selective with your choice is extremely important to stand out from the crowd and only purchasing the right products for your gym’s purpose is imperative to your financial success. As an example, if you are planning to run a bodybuilding gym then making sure you have the best strength training equipment that is fit for purpose will be essential.
So without further ado let’s move onto the specifics you need to consider before purchasing.
Understand Your Space
So you have the space, but what vision do you have for the design?
It is important to create a layout for your gym that ensures everyone can operate safely and efficiently. It is also worth considering how much space you have to work with and how you can use the equipment effectively.
Generally speaking, the most effective gyms are the ones that are able to separate their equipment into specific zones, for example creating a specialised area for strength, functional and cardio training etc; making it easier for the customer to workout in one area as opposed to multiple. This can also help with using the space effectively, allowing you to streamline any space that the equipment would otherwise take up.
If designing a gym is not your forte then here at Exigo we provide a dedicated support service which can help your vision become a reality. This can include an on-site visit, a mock up blueprint, a choice of colours and customisation, 3D visuals and full delivery & installation.
Types of Equipment
With so much to choose from, picking the right selection of equipment is crucial to making your gym a success. There are a huge range of machines, rigs and accessories available that can all achieve the same result, so make sure you consider all of the following options:
Strength Equipment
This can include single station selectorised machines, specialty free-weight training machines, plate loaded, Olympic Benches and racks as well as performance lifting platforms and power training.
Functional Equipment
Slam Balls, Kettlebells, Plyo Boxes, Battle Ropes, Suspension Training Sets are all equipment you can expect to see in a gym that offers functional training for activities performed in daily life. As well as individual functional equipment, you are also able to purchase a range of fully customisable rigs that will help with space efficiency and offer a much more diverse range of movement for your clients.
Boxing Equipment
If you are looking at combat-based fitness training then items such as a boxing ring (dependent on space of course!) and a selection of punch bags, gloves, head and body protection, speed balls and wall brackets along with a variety of other accessories can also be considered when choosing the right gym equipment.
Cardio Equipment
Providing an extensive range of cardio equipment is important when choosing gym equipment because it is the most generic form of training in all aspects of fitness whether you’re a body builder warming up, or are a long distance runner training for a marathon. There are a huge selection of cardio machines on the market and the most popular are treadmills, cross-trainers, rowing machines, exercise bikes and stair climbers. So whatever type of gym you are looking to open, you’ll usually require some type of cardiovascular equipment.
Custom Equipment
The great thing about creating your own gym from the ground up is having the ability to choose and customise the type of equipment that suits your brand, vision and space perfectly. Equipment such as platforms, weight stack shrouds, boxing equipment and even sweat wraps can be fully customised to your colours and custom branding, helping you to create a unique identity and fit ideally into the space you have available.
Storage Solutions
An area often forgotten during the planning stages of a gym is storage. Bars, Discs, Dumbbells and other functional training kit will need a place to be stored, keeping the kit out of the way for general tidiness and safety. Storage bins, large trays and rails are all space effective products which provide you with a storage method for all types of equipment. Although often overlooked, these can all be purchased from most commercial gym equipment providers.
Top products to look out for:
We of course can’t speak on behalf of other commercial fitness equipment providers out there, but here at Exigo these are the typical types of equipment you would be looking out for:
- Selectorized Dual Adjustable Pulley – A compact machine able to host a variety of exercises and work a variety of muscles.
- Plate Loaded Shoulder Press – Loaded using weight plates and allows users to move both limbs at the same time, or individually.
- Multi Adjustable Bench – A piece of kit that incorporates 7 positions of adjustment ranging from -5 to 80 degrees over inclines, flat and decline.
- Elite Power Rack – The ultimate station for Olympic weight lifting while in the safety of a fully enclosed rack.
- Lifting Platforms – A dedicated Lifting Platform crafted with a solid oak centre, heavy duty rubber sections and a metal surround to provide ultimate protection against flooring.
- Studio Storage – Designed for modern fitness facilities where the need to maximise space efficiently and offer storage functionality is a priority.
- Functional Rigs – Manage space efficiently, with customisable training systems from Exigo offering top performance, reliability and build quality.
- Fitness Sleds – The latest trend in strength & functional training, an effective way of completing a full body strength and functional workout.
- Boxing Rings – A range of professional boxing rings suitable for gyms of all sizes and levels.
Financing and Leasing Options
It is always advised that you purchase as much of your gym equipment from one supplier as possible, the main reason for this is that you will typically be offered some kind of financing/leasing offers when buying in bulk.
Leasing Equipment
Leasing is a method of business finance that allows you to spread the cost of your new equipment over a period of time. The term is usually between 1 and 5 years with repayments being made on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on what suits you best.
There are many advantages to leasing gym equipment which include:
- Budget Control – Leasing can provide you with a manageable fixed monthly payment which never changes, no matter how much interest rates fluctuate. Payments also generally tend to be ‘fixed term’ which protects you from any increase in hire agreement rates and equipment costs.
- Tax Efficient – Rentals and Leasing are 100% tax allowable expenses which can be offset against your pre-tax profits.
- Preserve Working Capital – Allows you to spend more capital on other aspects of your business instead of outright equipment purchases.
- Equipment Choice – A low fixed monthly payment means you can look to buy more superior gym equipment, improving the quality of your customer experience.
Financing Equipment
If you would rather eventually own your equipment outright there are a number of flexible financing options available which can help kick start your gym.
The benefits of financing equipment are:
- Ownership – Whether you agree to a finance payment over a 12 month, 3 or 5 year period, the overall goal of complete ownership will eventually be achieved.
- No Upfront Costs – Generally an agreement will begin with just the initial payment, freeing you up capital to use on other areas of the business.
- Tax Benefit – Financing gym equipment is a fully taxable expense and will be deducted against pre-tax profits.
Maintenance and Warranty
A very important consideration to make when choosing gym equipment is any maintenance or warranty that’s included with the purchase. If you buy cheap kit without warranty it could potentially end up costing you thousands in repairs and upgrades. A well-built, looked after piece of equipment should last you at least 5 years without the need for repairs or upgrades.
Always check every piece of equipment’s warranty before purchase to ensure that the suppliers are adhering to a professional standard of product service offering aspects such as repairs and maintenance within a certain time period.
So those are all of the key aspects to consider when looking to purchase the best commercial gym equipment. The most important first step is to always consider what is the purpose of your gym and how much space do you have. Once these aspects are solidified, you then need to focus on the main points listed above, including:
- Gym Space
- Types of Equipment
- Customisation
- Finance and Leasing Options
- Maintenance and Warranty
When taking all of these aspects into account, you’ll be sure to select the best type of gym equipment for your purpose and space.
If you would like any additional help with selecting your Exigo gym equipment then please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly team and we’ll be glad to help.
