Commercial Gym Guide to Wholesale Fitness Equipment

Whether you are currently a commercial gym owner or planning to become one in the future, you know that the right fitness equipment is crucial for your gym.

There are many factors that go into running a good gym. Such as well-trained and enthusiastic trainers and staff, clean facilities, amenities such as saunas, showers and even swimming pools, and of course, price.

However, at the end of the day, your members are paying for a gym that allows them to exercise and help them achieve their fitness goals. This is accomplished through the use of fitness equipment. All of the other factors are necessary, and some are even critical, but without the right commercial fitness equipment, you don’t have a gym.

When we talk about commercial gyms in this article, we’re not just talking about most fitness facilities, we’re also talking about apartment and hotel gyms, college on-campus gyms, and high school and college sports weight rooms.

You know your equipment is important, but with so many options, where do you even start?
Well, we’re glad you’re here. Let’s break down wholesale fitness equipment and give you the tips you need to buy the best wholesale fitness equipment for your commercial gym.

Why buy wholesale fitness equipment?

1. More Selection
Wholesale gym equipment is gym equipment purchased from a wholesaler.

You can also think of it as “buying in bulk.” Because you’re buying from a wholesaler, you’ll have a wide variety of options – both new and used gym equipment. You’ll often find everything from cardio machines to strength training machines to dumbbells and equipment you’ve never seen before. Who knows if your gym is missing out on a great piece of gym equipment because you didn’t know it existed.

The more choices the better for you.
This way you can specialize in the equipment you need for your gym. With more options, you can assemble the commercial gym equipment package you need, and more importantly – the equipment your members need.

2. Cheaper

Wholesalers sell new and used fitness equipment directly to commercial gyms. In this case, you pay the retail price for a piece of home fitness equipment. In the wholesale fitness equipment industry, you are looking to fill sections of a commercial gym, or even an entire gym. Therefore, you can get better prices. You will also focus primarily on wholesale fitness equipment designed for commercial use.

The equipment at your local sporting goods store simply won’t last long in a commercial gym. It is not designed for the typical amount of use in a commercial gym.

Basically, like most things in life, because you are buying in bulk, you can get discounted prices.
This can mean a lot to you as a gym owner, and means you can make more money, more funds for trainers and staff, or funds to upgrade other parts of your gym.

What Should I Consider Before Buying Wholesale Fitness Equipment?

If you are a commercial gym owner or soon to be a commercial gym owner, you know that wholesale fitness equipment is the way to go. But should you just buy whatever looks like it will give you the most power? Unfortunately, no.

Here are some things you should definitely consider before buying any fitness equipment.

1. Space

Let’s start with the most obvious one.

If you’re buying for a hotel gym, chances are you won’t be able to fit eight power racks, two leg press machines, and a full set of dumbbells weighing up to 150 pounds. Some gyms are small, but some equipment takes up a fair amount of space. Even if you’re building a 10,000+ square foot facility, you still need to consider floor space.

You need to ask yourself what equipment is a priority and where it should be placed.
Next we can answer the first question – “what equipment is a priority”.

2. Number of people in the gym

Here’s the best way to decide what gym equipment you need to buy.

Are you opening a high school weight room?
Great, you’ll definitely need dumbbells, benches, barbells, bumper plates, and power racks.

Are you opening a standard commercial gym?
Cool, look for gym equipment like treadmills, dumbbells, barbells, pull-ups, and ellipticals.

In addition to determining your gym’s demographic needs, look to the past—what was traditionally common in hotel gym facilities? What would you like to see in a gym? These answers will be very different than a weightlifting gym. As a gym owner, one of your main jobs is to choose the equipment your members want and need.

This is where you can try to be a little forward-thinking.

The fitness world is constantly growing and changing, so don’t just buy the wholesale fitness equipment that all the gyms are buying. The average gym customer will come to the gym, do a workout they found online, or even just start working out on the equipment they saw when they came to the gym. This is actually a really cool opportunity for you as a gym owner to learn about the types of workouts that people need to be doing but may not be doing.

Of course, you need to provide all the basic exercises for your gym population, and definitely don’t give up on the preacher curl, but maybe consider ordering some exercise equipment to push and encourage your members to try new things, but of course you have to make sure the equipment is safe.

If there is room, adding exercises such as sled pulls, drags, and lateral walks are useful for every fitness level.

3. Cost

When it comes to commercial fitness equipment, cost is a big factor. Of course, you need to consider the initial cost, but there are other costs to consider.

The biggest cost is the lifetime cost of the equipment.
Do you buy cheap equipment that will solve a short-term need, or do you buy quality equipment that will last for years? Fitness equipment will undoubtedly wear out, so choosing quality equipment is key, even if it’s used.

Regardless, you’re paying for quality fitness equipment, whether upfront or when you replace it later.

Be sure to factor in maintenance costs. While gym equipment like weight plates and kettlebells require little to no upkeep, a high-tech treadmill or cable machine will definitely require more maintenance, which means more staff time, more parts, and ultimately higher costs.

Who should I buy from?
You want to buy wholesale fitness equipment from a wholesaler you trust.

Do your research, read reviews, and talk to other gym owners to find out which option is best for you.
Remember, this is a big decision for the success of your gym, so take the time to ask questions, after all the company you buy from should be an expert in fitness equipment. Wishing you all the gains, fat loss, PR, and appreciation from your members!