Best Gym Equipment Brands for Gym Owners

Ensuring your gym members have a great workout starts with choosing the right equipment. But with so many equipment brands on the market, it's easy to become overwhelmed by your options. Below, we'll explore some of the top gym equipment brands, helping you narrow down the best options for your facility. Let's dive in.

Best Gym Equipment Brands

Best Overall: Matrix Fitness

Best for Durability: Hammer Strength

Best for Small Spaces: TRX

Best for Aesthetics: NOHrD

Best for Cardio: TRUE Fitness

Best for Strength & Conditioning: Rogue Fitness

Best for Pilates Studios: Merrithew

Benefits of Quality Gym Equipment

Your gym's equipment shapes your members' workouts and determines if they'll stick around for the long haul. 38% of gym goers stay at a gym because of its equipment, highlighting its crucial role in member retention.

"Gone are the days of endless rows of machines and 30 minutes of steady state training," said Kyle Mitchell, Director of Commercial Sales at Johnson Commercial Fitness. "Members are looking for variety; strength training, functional training, group training, entertainment, interactive fitness, and diversity in their training environment to achieve their goals."

Offering a diverse array of high-quality equipment helps ensure your clients get a great workout and continue to choose your gym over your competitors.

How to Choose Gym Equipment

Equipping a gym isn't cheap. Most gym owners can expect to pay $25 per square foot for equipment. That shakes out to $75,000 for a 3,000-square-foot facility. Since you're investing significant financial resources toward equipment, you want to ensure you're making a smart investment. Use the following guidelines to help select the best equipment for your gym.

Consider Quality

Gym equipment endures a lot of wear and tear. Opt for durable and high-quality machines to prevent the need for frequent replacements.

Rachel MacPherson, CPT, CSCS, tests equipment professionally. She suggests choosing equipment that’s made from quality materials and has a warranty. "Equipment that will stand the test of time is made from stainless steel, powder coated, and solidly made, preventing corrosion and breakdown. Look for equipment that comes with a solid warranty and/or has plenty of in-stock and easily available replacement parts or is easy and quick to service."

Consider Practicality

As new fitness trends arise, the market continually introduces novel workout tools. While incorporating trendy pieces in your gym can excite members and attract new customers, gym owners should prioritize investing in equipment that members will use most frequently.

Rachel MacPherson, CPT, echoes this sentiment: "In terms of practicality, making the best use of space and money is critical. Choosing enough high-use items such as treadmills, dumbbells, squat racks, benches, cable machines, ellipticals, etc., should always come before investing in new and exciting contraptions that aren't going to appeal to as many people."

Consider Space Available

The layout and size of your gym influences how much and what types of equipment you can offer. Rachel MacPherson, CPT, recommends buying the basics before investing in equipment that will be used less frequently.

"Don't get caught up in offering so much variety that you don't have enough space or funds for the basics,: she said. “It's better to not have a glute thruster than it is for people to become frustrated over a lack of squat racks or barbells, for instance."

Buying vs. Leasing Gym Equipment

As a gym owner, you can either buy or lease exercise equipment. Both options offer benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the difference between buying and leasing can help determine the best option for your business.

Buying Gym Equipment

Buying gym equipment means owning it outright, turning your purchase into assets and adding value to your business. It also provides the flexibility to customize your equipment to match your gym's branding and aesthetic.

Purchasing equipment comes with a significant upfront cost, high monthly payments if you take out a loan, and responsibility for maintenance. If your business closes unexpectedly, selling the equipment might be challenging, leaving you with unused inventory.

Leasing Gym Equipment

Leasing gym equipment involves lower upfront costs than buying outright or securing a loan, freeing up funds for other business needs. It also allows for more frequent equipment updates, keeping your gym modern and attractive to members. This option may also offer potential tax benefits, such as writing off monthly payments as operating expenses or gaining ownership tax benefits with capital leases.

Unless your lease includes an option to buy at the end, you must return the equipment to the lessor, limiting your ability to sell or recover costs.

See also: How much does it cost to open a gym?

Buying Used vs. New Equipment

Buying gym equipment isn't cheap, so it's tempting to look for ways to save money on your investment. Used equipment can be a cost-effective option for gym owners on a budget, but it can have drawbacks.

Buying New Equipment

Opting for new gym equipment offers a few key benefits despite the higher upfront cost. Firstly, new equipment comes with a manufacturer's warranty, providing comprehensive coverage and peace of mind. Moreover, you can ensure equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines, helping extend its lifespan. New machines also feature the latest technology, making your gym more attractive to exercisers enthusiastic about the latest fitness tech.

Buying Used Equipment

The most notable perk of purchasing used equipment is its discounted price. Savvy buyers who are knowledgeable about reliable fitness brands may be able to find quality equipment with little wear.

Choosing used over new equipment can also present a few problems. Depending on who you're purchasing from, used equipment may lack proper upkeep, resulting in problems down the line. Most used equipment doesn't offer warranties, so you're not protected if it breaks down.