Shopping for commercial gym equipment is entirely different to buying home gym machines. There will be many more users involved, so factors like durability, size and weight restrictions come into play. Finding high quality equipment at a low cost may not be as hard as you think, as long as you know how to shop. Listed below as some of the key steps you can take to getting a good set of commercial equipment for a low price.
1. Find out What Other Businesses Buy
If you are in the process of setting up a gym or other establishment that incorporates commercial gym equipment such as a hotel, a good starting point is to see what equipment other businesses like yours use before you start shopping. Big chains of fitness centers and hotels are great places to look, depending on what kind of business you plan to run. For instance, Hilton uses Sole fitness equipment in many of their hotel gyms, so you know that has to be somewhat reliable. Let other people do the testing for you. Find other examples like that to inspire your purchasing. Don’t be afraid to ask their advice either, or be put off by one or two knock backs. Although some people will not want to share their knowledge, others will, especially if you go out of your own area and are not seen as competition.
2. Look for Good Suppliers
Commercial gym equipment suppliers will be able to offer you a better deal on bulk orders than you can get in a standard store. You will have to order whatever you need anyway, so you might as well get it from a place that caters to commercial buying. Shopping online is the easiest way to go about this because you can find many suppliers who are all dropping prices to compete for business. You can source your equipment from anywhere in the world that you want to as long as you find a trustworthy organisation to work with.
3. Consider Used Equipment
If you want to save a lot of money, you may consider getting used commercial gym equipment rather than something brand new. New kit is coming out at a fast rate; often people want the most up to date model, so there is a massive market for used running machines and other cardio equipment. Good quality second hand free weights will often show little wear and tear so these are definitely worth looking into.
Lightly used equipment will be on sale for a much lower price than brand new equipment will be, but potentially you will have to deal with what was someone else’s problem should the equipment be defective. Luckily, many manufacturers have warranties for their systems that last a few years, so you may be able to use that to your advantage if something goes wrong, but make sure it remains valid despite a change in ownership.
Ask the person you are buying the used equipment from a series of questions so you know the condition of the machines. Find out where they bought it from, what it is used for, who used it, and anything else you may think pertinent such as requesting service schedule if appropriate or a user manual. If you are doing a local deal, have the equipment inspected before you buy it. That way you protect your investment as much as possible.
4. Research Manufacturers
It is always a good idea to go over reviews for manufacturers so you know what companies you might be working with. Call them up to ask if they offer any discounts for commercial buyers, and they very well may have a bulk buying program you can look into. If not, you can at least tell what kind of service you will get from the call you place.
5. Analyze Durability
When you start looking for commercial gym equipment for sale, you have to consider how durable the machines are that you are targeting. While skimping on quality may save money here and there, it will cost you a lot in repairs and replacements in the long run. It is much better to absorb the cost for a good machine upfront so you do not encounter problems later on.
Look at factors like material and motor sizes before you purchase a piece of equipment. Also, see how long a warranty lasts on a new system if you plan on bypassing used equipment. If you can get an extended warranty, you may be able to cover your business for a few years in the event that too much wear damages the equipment. You have to expect that from a used system unless you consider buying from individuals who perhaps made a hasty purchase and actually haven’t used their equipment hardly at all.
6. Shop with Multiple Manufacturers
Some manufacturers specialize in certain types of commercial gym equipment. One company may be great at making running machines while another may work well with full workout systems. You should consider buying the right equipment from the right company if you want to get the most out of your money. Granted, buying everything in one location may save you money with a bulk deal, but you might also be sacrificing quality that way. It is up to you to weigh the risks and rewards.
7. Consider Leasing
As an alternative to buying, fitness equipment leasing can reduce the risk of choosing the wrong piece of kit, and spread your financial outlay over time. Different agreements will require you to return the equipment on termination of the contract term, or allow you to purchase for an agreed price or based on market value. The overall outlay though is likely to be higher.
Conclusion
Finding commercial gym equipment at an affordable price is not as hard as it seems. It is simply a matter of doing research to find good manufacturers to work with, and then trying to find good deals on their merchandise. Whether you buy new or buy used, there are great deals to be found online and in stores. Some of the classic brands you might wish to consider include Schwinn for a good selection of cardio machines; the Tunturi treadmill range; and Star Trac and Precor exercise stepper machines.