So you want to set up your own gym? If you are intending on opening a public gym there are a few things you will need to keep in mind, and importantly, what equipment you will need. There are a host of requirements that are needed to be checked if you want your gym to be able to open its doors and expect to be successful.
When you first set up your gym and you want to fill it with quality equipment it is essential that you keep in mind the location you are using. Is it big enough? Is there enough floor space? What kind of gym are you going to have? These are all questions that need to be answered before you begin the process of decking it out.
Despite the fact that some specific pieces of fitness equipment may change depending on certain conditions, there are some pieces of equipment that are required to open a gym. We'd like to provide you with some suggestions for goods that are both regularly used in gyms and can help you run a profitable business. Here is a list of the most important items of gym equipment you'll need to get started.
Basic equipment
When starting a gym there are some basic pieces of equipment that regardless of any other factors you will need.
Weights
To many, it’s not really a gym if you don’t have any weights. The specifics of the weights and what kind they are is slightly less relevant, but you will need to equip your gym with some of them if you want to be taken seriously. There are many types of weights, and it is up to you which ones you want to have in your gym, but the best policy is to have some variety of both. Here are some of the types of weights you will need for your gym:
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Dumbells: the classic weight design. Internationally recognised and a standard for any gym the dumbbell is great for strength training, as well as being a highly versatile tool that can be integrated into a whole host of workouts.
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Kettlebells: These weights have a very different design and are made mainly for functional strength. They are increasingly popular due to the CrossFit craze and they are immensely versatile in function.
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Barbells: these are the bars that you attach weight plates on the end for bench and deadlifts. They are also a very versatile tool, and are recommended for any kind of gym where weight training will be used.
Cardio and aerobic equipment
It's important for members to feel that they know how to operate a piece of equipment or get a good workout without the assistance of others. Some people will want to hire a trainer or receive an orientation on certain pieces of equipment, but the vast majority will want to walk in and get started on their own. Here are some of the key pieces of cardio equipment that will really put your customers through their paces.
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Treadmill: the classic treadmill is a staple of gyms across the world. There are all kinds of varieties of treadmills you can get, and the price range is enormous. Price:
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Rowing machine: rowing machines are great for your cardio and upper body fitness. One of the best aspects of rowing machines is that they work out your entire body. Similar to treadmills there is a great deal of variety in price tags.
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Air bikes: these indoor bikes are great for your physical fitness and general cardio, as well as being simple to set up and place in a gym, as they do not take up too much space. Price: £800 - £1000
Workout balls
When you set up a gym you will find that not everybody exclusively needs to work on their cardio and strength training. A gym is simply a place where people come to work on their own physicality, which can mean flexibility, core and posture, stability, balance and more. One of the best tools for working on some of these other factors are medicine and stability balls.
Stability balls are a classic design that has been around for ages and is still being used in gyms around the world. These large rubber balls are great for pilates, core and balance training and are perfect for group classes and low impact workouts. Medicine balls are more for high impact and HIIT training (High-Intensity Interval Training).
Additional pieces of equipment
As mentioned above, not everyone visiting your gym will have the same objectives. There is a wide variety to choose from when it comes to working out in the modern age, and as such, there is a wide variety of equipment. Some of the tools listed below will depend on the size of your gym and how you want to set up its layout.
You may also want to specialise in certain areas of fitness like if you want to be a mainly strength-based gym you will want to devote more money and space to weights. However it is still important to make sure all your bases are covered, and having variety is always a good thing.
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Battle ropes: battle ropes are great for their versatility and the often difficult to train muscles that they work out. They are very long and require a lot of space in order to use appropriately, however, their versatility makes it worth it. Slams, burpees, jumping jacks, and even Russian twists are all exercises that may be done with the ropes.
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Accessories: there are many different accessories that you may want to add to your gym that can enhance your members' experience.
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Resistance bands: Essentially long ropes and bands of rubber that can be pulled and manipulated for a number of tasks. Best suited to internal and external rotation movements, these bands can be used for physical therapy as well as strength exercises.
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Gym Chalk: This is for those gyms that have some serious weight lifters. Chalk allows you to better grip the barbell and weights, and can also be used for calisthenic workouts like pull-ups and climbers.
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Timers: these are simply stop clock timers that may have a loud alarm that can be set into them. They are great as a general tool for gyms and are highly recommended if any kind of interval training is needed and if boxing is going to be practised.
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Mats and floor material: If you want to have a space for other activities such yoga or gymnastics you will need a certain amount of floor and mats to ensure the safety of those training there.
We at UKSF have everything you could possibly need to fit out your gym, whether personal or public, and for competitive prices. All of our products are of the highest quality and we have supplied hundreds of gyms up and down the country. Check out our product pages to get a better idea of how you can best set up the gym of your dreams.