With thousands of exercise devices on the market, choosing equipment for a commercial gym can be challenging. It can be particularly difficult to figure out what kind of equipment to buy and how many of each to buy. Having the right mix of equipment is vital to running a successful gym or fitness center, so it pays to sit down and find out the needs of gym patrons. Commercial gyms in schools may have different requirements than a hotel or condominium complex, so developers need to keep this in mind. For example, some centers may require a wide range of strength training equipment for more advanced athletes or bodybuilders, while others require more basics for beginners.
There are a few types of exercise equipment that every good gym or commercial gym should have. Strength training equipment, such as weight machines or free weights, is a standard part of most gyms. For weightlifting, gym owners should consider including a bench press machine, squat rack, and leg press machine. If space and budget allow, additional strength training machines or stations can be added. There is a wide variety of equipment available to strengthen and tone specific parts of the body. Just one sample includes an incline weight bench, bicep curl machine, leg extension machine, leg raise chair, power rack, or Smith machine. Racks and benches are essential for advanced users who will be lifting weights, as they are needed for popular lifts like squats and bench presses.
All-in-one gyms that allow multiple exercises on one piece of equipment are popular options for gyms with space restrictions. It is important to ensure enough space around these pieces of equipment to ensure that each station can be used properly. These machines come in many different sizes and configurations, often with a selection of weight stacks and accessories. Additionally, commercial gyms will require a large selection of free weights, dumbbells, and barbells in a wide range of weights. This will allow many users with different strength and fitness levels to use the strength training equipment. A special section of the gym should be set up for free weight exercises with a padded floor and adequate training space to ensure client comfort and safety when exercising.
When purchasing these devices, it is important to choose higher quality commercial fitness equipment. This type of equipment is designed to withstand repeated heavy use and is much more durable than equipment designed for the home. While home equipment may be less expensive initially, it is more likely to break down in a high-use environment, leading to high replacement costs. Also, pay attention to weight specifications when choosing equipment for a commercial gym. If the population using the center is large or obese, it is important to choose equipment specifically designed to handle heavier weights.
Finally, most gyms and fitness centers should have some cardio machines. The most popular cardio exercise equipment is the treadmill. If space allows, consider more than one treadmill to minimize wait times for customers. Other cardio equipment to consider includes elliptical machines, stationary and recumbent bikes, stair climbers and stair climbers, and rowing machines. Again, it is recommended to purchase commercial versions of these products if multiple people will be using the gym or fitness center.