The reasons why a person joins a gym are varied, ranging from weight loss or physical improvement to medical recommendations. Similarly, Each person has different needs and a different level of training.
As a gym owner, it is essential Always keep in mind the needs of each of your clients and be able to meet most of them . Focusing on only one type of user may prevent your gym from reaching its full potential, thus reducing potential profits.
Furthermore, the quality and variety of equipment These are decisive factors for users when choosing to join a gym , in addition to proximity and price. Most people look for a well-equipped gym where they can complete their entire exercise routine satisfactorily and efficiently.
Something that many owners of sports centers or gyms are unaware of and do not understand is the importance of the machines and accessories they offer to their users.
That is why choosing the suitable machines and meet all customer needs will determine the success of a gym . Furthermore, they will be one of the first impressions that you generate in potential clients. Therefore, it is important that your customers see your business proposal as complete and attractive.
What types of machines are needed to open a gym?
Choosing gym equipment Getting it right can be complicated and challenging. It involves a long-term commitment and a significant investment , therefore it is crucial make a good choice.
The first thing you should consider when equipping your gym is the importance of organize a distribution based on the type of activity. We recommend that you dedicate a space in your facilities for cardio machines , another space for weight training machines , another space for free weights and accessories and you can also dedicate additional space to a room for group classes (Spinning, Body pump, Body combat, Yoga, Pilates...).
Whether you're thinking about renewing some of the exercise machines in your gym, or if you're in the process of setting up your new sports center, we'll tell you Which exercise machines should you equip your gym with? so that you don't miss any details.
To help you do the appropriate selection , we have made our proposal taking into account the diversity and considering that the machines cover the greatest number of muscle groups that are worked out in the gym with the least investment.
We hope this helps you choose the essential exercise machines and more necessary to be able to Start your gym.
These are the essential types of machines that we will analyze in this post:
Best weight training machines for the gym
The weight training area allows customers to work on developing and strengthening their muscle mass. It is essential to offer strength training machines that allow customers work different muscle groups effectively.
These machines, in addition to allowing muscles to be worked in isolation, also offer the possibility of practice areas that are difficult or complicated to work on benches or supports.
We advise you to divide the weight training area by machines that work the same muscle groups and that cover all the needs of the clients so that they can carry out a complete training.
Leg machines
Hack squat and leg press
A machine of hack squat It is a specific training equipment used for Perform incline squats safely and effectively.
The press machine for legs allows you to exercise the lower body and perform squats guided manner with the greatest precision.
When choosing this machine, consider features such as ergonomics and safety. In addition, it must have a wide, non-slip and adjustable platform so that customers can perform the exercises comfortably, as well as a high load capacity.
Quadriceps extension
The leg extension allows working the quadriceps muscles using a lever to specifically target and exercise this muscle area.
These are characteristics to consider when choosing a model: Seat tilt and adjustment , the degree of roller rotation that allows it to adapt to each person, the ergonomics and robustness that ensures durability.
Seated leg curl
The seated leg curls They are one of the most popular exercises for Strengthen and tone the hamstring muscles. The seated leg curl machine works the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and strengthens the knees, thus developing both the front and back of the legs.
This machine highlights the need for a robust structure , that has large load capacity and the upholstery is made of quality.
Calf raise
The twin lift machine It's essential to have it in your weight room. Perfect for Tone and strengthen the calves without adding extra pressure to the knees.
The most important thing is that it has a ergonomic and adjustable design to adapt to different customers and sizes.
Bicep machines
Triceps machines
Back machines
Gironde pull and row machine
It is essential to have machines in your gym that allow work the back muscles. The Gironda rowing lat pulldown machine It has a dual exercise function. These machines allow a wide range of motion, enabling the user work each muscle effectively.
Pay attention when choosing these machines to ensure they have a ergonomic design and high weight load capacity so that each person can work according to their needs.
Seated rowing machine
The seated rowing machine It is a machine that allows you to work on the muscles of the upper back and latissimus dorsi Assisted. Allows unilateral arm movement.
It is important that it be easy to regulate , present auxiliary pedals for the machine's entry and exit, and have a robust structure that ensures its resistance.
Shoulder machines
Lateral lifting machine
The shoulder lateral raise machine allows the user to perform lateral shoulder raises with a Slow and controlled execution of the exercise . Make sure it has a robust construction .
Chest machines
Incline press machine
The incline press machine allows chest workout from different angles and stimulate all parts of the muscle in a guided for greater safety.
It is unpredictable that this machine will allow Adjust the weight quickly and easily and this designed with quality materials (antibacterial and anti-sweat seats, pulleys that offer easy movement…)
Chest Contractor
The chest contractor opening machine It works muscles located in the upper body, specifically targeting the pectoral muscles. design , the structure , the load capacity or the range of motion These are elements to consider when choosing this machine.
Multifunctional machines for the whole body
Multipower
The Smith machine or multipower It allows you to perform exercises such as controlled barbell presses, shoulder presses, or squats and efficient for getting the most out of training. One of the strength machines needed in any gym.
When choosing one model over another, we advise you to be guided by the safety features which they offer, since it is an important element in this machine. Similarly, another fundamental element is the load capacity which allows.
Multi-station with rings and pulleys
The station with rings and pulleys It's a guaranteed investment. This allows It allows you to train countless specific muscles . Furthermore, it enables multiple people to train simultaneously.
It's important to choose one that offers a greater number of elements (high pulleys, cross pulleys, rows, pull-up grips…) so that the greatest number of people can work efficiently.
Best professional cardio machines
It is essential that you equip the machine area dedicated to the cardiovascular exercises with at least treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical trainers.
Treadmills
The treadmills They are perfect for the beginners in it cardiovascular exercise , so they will be one of the fitness machines most in demand by customers. These must allow Configure the incline, speed, monitor heart rate and distance traveled , among other options.
It is interesting that treadmills, in addition to ensuring proper functioning, offer energy savings.
Keep in mind that it will be one of the machines that will withstand more hours of use because of the customers, which is why it's important invest in a quality one.
Stationary bikes
The Stationary bikes , also called indoor bikes, are another of the most requested machines by customers. They are identified as perfect machines for burn calories, tone legs and glutes, and work on cardiovascular endurance.
One of the advantages of stationary bikes is that they allow for a low-impact and minimally harmful exercise that easily raises the heart rate.
It's one of the most comfortable machines for beginners and also a great complement for your clients to alternate with the treadmill.
When investing in stationary bikes, it is essential that they offer: adjustability, variable resistance, performance monitor, comfort, stability, training programs, connectivity.
At Bodytone we offer both upright stationary bikes as recumbent stationary bikes.
In addition to the bikes required for spinning classes, which are also available at Bodytone, we have different ranges to suit your needs.
Elliptical trainers
The elliptical trainers They are probably one of the more versatile machines for customers. It's important that they have different levels of resistance and a variable stride.
They allow you to carry out a a complete full body exercise , both the lower and upper body.
Are low-impact, minimally harmful machines that will keep your customers' backs, knees, and ankles protected.
In addition, physiotherapists and traumatologists recommend them for people suffering from knee, hip or ankle injuries, to exercise the area.
It's interesting to offer this machine in your gym, taking into account the needs of the... older customers who stay away from machines that could damage their joints.
Free weights and essential accessories
Weights and bars
The interchangeable weights and the bars They are fundamental elements for completing a gym, as they play a role crucial role in the development of strength, endurance, and muscle mass.
Barbells are essential for weightlifting and strength training exercises. They provide stability and support during movements, allowing for proper technique and minimizing the risk of injury. At Bodytone, we recommend having them. Olympic bars, straight bars and/or Z bars for biceps and triceps.
The interchangeable disks allow adjust the load of the exercises in a flexible and progressive manner. This allows customers to adjust the resistance according to their individual abilities and fitness levels.
We also recommend equipping your gym with dumbbells that include a range of weights that can be adapted to each client's needs, from 2kg to 40kg. Don't forget to buy a rack to organize all the dumbbells by weight and size. Choose from rubber or urethane dumbbells , depending on which ones best suit the environment of your gym.
Structures
The structures provide support and safety during the execution of free exercises who need a certain level of experience. We advise you to offer at least rack stations, lumbar hyperextension structure and fundus structure. Make sure the structures are robust and withstand daily use of your customers.
Banks
The banks for the gym they are a versatile and multifunctional element that allow work different muscles, Therefore, they are a great support in the free weight exercise routine of clients.
It's one of the essential pieces of equipment you should have in your gym. It allows you to perform a toning training for clients who do not use guided machines and power select the weight and type of exercise that they wish to perform. Weightlifting exercises are generally used with dumbbells or standard bars.
It is important that these can be adjust the backrest so that each client can adapt it to the exercise they want to do. In addition, it must have a robust construction to ensure its maintenance over time.
Accessories
The accessories They play a crucial role in developing a complete and varied training routine. They are fundamental elements to complete a gym in an efficient and versatile way.
We recommend adding at least pulley accessories as Pull-up bars, V-grip for rows, ropes, bicep and tricep bars and grips. Also abdominal accessories as mats and fitball. And finally bodybuilding accessories like the ballast belt.
It is worth noting the trend of incorporating areas into gyms of functional training in which they are essential specific accessories To be able to carry it out, it would be interesting to include these elements. You can delve deeper in our article on the best accessories for functional training.
Set up your gym with Bodytone
We have been equipping gyms around the world for over 20 years.
We design and manufacture specialized fitness equipment to facilitate the success of your business and the best training experience for your clients.