With health and fitness at the top of the list of many people's values these days, it's no surprise that 77 million Americans have a fitness membership as of 2024.
It's good news all around. Really, it's a win-win for both gym-goers and gym owners. Facility owners get money in the bank, while members reap the many benefits of an active lifestyle.
If you're thinking of cashing in on the action and opening your own gym, or even if you just want to kit out your home gym, keep reading to see what modern-day gym-goers expect with our thorough gym equipment list.
Cardio Equipment
All gyms require good cardio equipment. Cardio is a key element of any workout, and no gym floor would be complete without the big four:
- Treadmills
- Ellipticals
- Stationary bikes
- Rowing machines
The size of your facility will dictate how many of each you can have. But nothing is more frustrating than dragging yourself to the gym only to find the equipment you want to use is occupied.
The most common of the three is the treadmill. Make sure to have a sufficient number of durable treadmills equipped with the ability to change the incline and speed. You'll also want to make sure they have a good heart rate monitor. Ellipticals are important to have, too, as some people need a lower-impact cardio workout due to injuries or bad knees. It's key to have both options.
Another great low-impact option is the stationary bike. If you have to choose between the elliptical and the stationary bike, our advice is to choose the bike. It's best to have both, but the bike gives a better workout overall.
Don't forget to add a couple of rowing machines to the list as well. Rowing machines offer a fantastic total-body cardio workout that can't be achieved on the treadmill, elliptical or bike. Rowers offer an excellent cardio/aerobic workout while engaging the legs, core and upper body.
Strength Training Equipment
The other aspect of any good workout is strength training. Cardio is a necessary part of any workout, but strength training is the only way to start building and maintaining muscle. Not sure where to start? Check out the essential strength training equipment every gym should have, plus some extras.
Free Weights
It's important to have a good dumbbell, barbell and kettlebell set. Having a varied dumbbell set, from light to heavy, will give your members the options to do many weightlifting exercises. But don't stop there.
Barbells are key for the more serious lifters. Get a few good barbells and a set of removable plates. You'll also need a few squat racks and adjustable benches.
The other essential free weight inventory you must have is kettlebells. Kettlebells can be used for a wide range of movements, including swings, presses and deadlifts. They can also be used for goblet squats and overhead lunges. They're a favorite among modern-day gym-goers, so don't skimp out here.
Racks, Frames and Cable Machines
Once you've stocked up on free weights, the next items to invest in are pullup frames and squat racks. You can find combos that have both elements included to save money and space. Space for people to safely do pullups, chin-ups and dips is essential. These movements are key for a good calisthenics (body weight) workout and require no more equipment than the rack itself.
Squat racks and cable machines are the next steps. A good squat rack helps people with their technique and eliminates the need to rely on a spotter. Smith machines are great, but a simple squat rack will do the trick.
Cable pulley machines are incredibly versatile and definitely worth the investment due to the variety of movements they cater to. People can work their chest, biceps, triceps and even legs all in one place.
Weight Machines
If you want to stay competitive, you'll have to have some weight machines on the floor. More advanced trainers are happy to make do with free weights, but many still prefer to use machines. Especially for beginners, weight machines help with guidance and technique and can reduce the risk of injury.
There are hundreds of different weight machines, but start with these essentials:
- Horizontal leg press: Many personal trainers start their clients on this equipment for total lower body workouts. The leg press hits the quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves all in one go.
- Lat pulldown: A lat pulldown is a great piece of equipment to get gym-goers more comfortable with pullups. It works for the biggest muscle group in the back and activates the entire posterior chain.
- Chest press: Another effective machine for hitting multiple muscle groups, the chest press works the chest, biceps and triceps. Arm day? Check.
If you have these three key machines, plus cable pulley machines, a pullup frame and a squat rack, your members will be happy.
Gym Accessories
There are a few other things you can add to your gym equipment list that people love to use:
- Exercise balls
- Yoga mats
- Ab rollers
- Resistance bands
- Battle ropes
- TRX bands
- Sleds
- Hanging rings
- Trap/hex bars
Choosing the Right Gym Equipment for Different Fitness Goals
Depending on your gym's customer base, you may want to prioritize certain types of gym equipment over others. Maybe your gym caters to a specific niche, such as Pilates or weightlifting, or you want to start offering yoga and kickboxing classes. No matter your gym's plans, offering the right equipment to support your clients' needs is important.
Here's a quick gym equipment checklist to get you started:
- General fitness gym: Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weight machines, free weights, resistance bands, medicine balls, yoga mats and battle ropes.
- Strength training gym: Power racks, squat racks, bench press stations, deadlift platforms, Olympic barbells and weight plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, weight machines, and specialized equipment like a reverse hyper machine or glute-ham developer.
- Cardio studio: Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers and potentially some lighter free weights for warmup and cool-down exercises.
- Pilates studio: Reformers, trapeze tables, ladder barrels and various small items like Pilates balls and resistance bands.
- Yoga studio: Yoga mats, yoga blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, meditation cushions and potentially a wall rope system for supported poses.
- CrossFit gym: Pullup bars, squat racks, Olympic barbells and weight plates, kettlebells, medicine balls, plyometric boxes, rowing machines, jump ropes and gymnastic rings.
- Spin studio: Spin bikes and potentially some light hand weights for upper body exercises during the ride.
If you already have an active customer base at your gym, consider asking them about their experiences and personal fitness goals so you can add and remove equipment as needed. New gym owners can start with the basics and expand to accommodate clients as they join.
Safety Tips for Using Gym Equipment
Setting up your gym with the latest equipment is just the start — you also want to make sure your customers know how to use those machines safely. Apart from having your members read and sign a waiver, you can take a few steps to keep your gym a safe place to get those gains:
- Space equipment out: The last thing many gym-goers want is to exercise in a crowded space. Keep the space accommodating — and safer — by spacing equipment out and providing enough room for individual workouts. If someone accidentally drops a weight, it shouldn't be a safety issue for anyone around them.
- Post instructions and images: Particularly helpful for first-time gym-goers or clients with disabilities, physical instructions and images can create a culture of safety at your gym. Consider posting signs near confusing equipment to avoid anyone taking an unsafe guess.
- Keep equipment clean: Provide cleaning spray and paper towels around the gym so clients can easily wipe down machines when they're done using them. Make sure your staff is also keeping the gym clean throughout the day.
Shop Our Selection of Gym Equipment Today
Now that you have an idea of the gym equipment list essentials, the next step is to check out your options and start outfitting your gym with the right equipment.
At Global Fitness, we offer dozens of fitness equipment types from the industry's leading brands, such as Life Fitness and Precor. Whether you're opening up a new cardio studio or refreshing your general fitness gym, you can find a range of high-quality, refurbished equipment that's perfect for your space.
Looking to add to your cardio collection or create a dedicated space for strength training? Need a few extra machines to complete your home gym equipment checklist? We have you covered. Browse our inventory today to get started!
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