Choosing equipment is the stage where budgets get wasted. Not on the wrong brand — on the wrong mix: four cardio machines where two would do, a rack nobody has the ceiling height to use, no accessories at all. This is how we decide what goes on the list.
The order we work in
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Space sets the ceilingThe room decides the maximum number of stations before any product is considered. Nothing is chosen until the floor plan exists.
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Users set the typeA mixed-ability workforce needs guided machines. A performance gym needs racks and platforms. Same budget, entirely different list.
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Duty cycle sets the gradeHow many hours a day a machine runs decides whether home or commercial rating is correct. This is where most under-specification happens.
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Budget sets the depthOnce type and grade are fixed, budget decides how many of each — not whether to drop to a lower grade.
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Accessories close the gapMats, storage, bars and small items are what make a room usable. They are also the first thing cut and the first thing missed.
If the budget will not stretch, buy fewer items at the right grade rather than more items at the wrong one. Under-rated equipment on a busy floor fails inside a year.
Home grade or commercial grade?
The labels are not marketing. They describe frame gauge, bearing quality, upholstery durability and — critically — what the warranty will actually honour.
| Setting |
Typical daily use |
Grade we specify |
| Household |
Under 2 hours |
Home rated is appropriate and cost-effective |
| Villa with several users |
2–4 hours |
Light commercial on cardio, home rated elsewhere |
| Hotel or apartment gym |
Unsupervised, all day |
Commercial rated — warranty usually requires it |
| Office gym |
Concentrated peaks |
Commercial rated on the popular stations |
| Club or studio |
Continuous |
Commercial throughout, no exceptions |
Warranty terms often depend on the setting the equipment is installed in, not just the model. Putting home-rated equipment into a shared building can void cover entirely — worth checking before you save money on it.
What people forget to budget for
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FlooringOften 10–15% of a fit-out and non-optional under free weights.
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StorageDumbbell racks, plate trees and bar holders. A floor without storage becomes a hazard.
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MirrorsForm checking and perceived room size. Rarely on the first list.
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Small accessoriesMats, bands, collars, cleaning supplies. Individually cheap, collectively significant.
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Delivery and installationEspecially upper floors and restricted access.
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ServicingAn AMC from year one costs less than reactive repairs from year two.
Browse while you plan
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am over-specifying?
The usual sign is duplication that peak demand does not justify — three types of chest press in a room where four people train at once. Better to cover more movement patterns with fewer stations, then add depth once you know what people actually queue for.
Can I mix brands?
Yes, and most floors do. What matters is compatibility where items interact — bar diameter matching your plates, bench height matching your rack, attachment fittings matching your cable machines. We check those rather than assuming.
Should I buy everything at once?
Not necessarily. Plan the complete room, then buy in phases so the layout still works at each stage. What you should not do is buy piecemeal without a plan — that is how rooms end up with no space for the rack.
What about used equipment?
It can make sense for frames and racks, which have little to wear out. It is riskier on cardio and cable machines, where the expensive failures are exactly the parts that age. Ask us before buying used — we will tell you honestly whether it is worth servicing.
Related
Get an equipment schedule
Send the room, the users and the budget. We will return a specified list with grades and quantities, not a catalogue.
