Commercial gym equipment list for a new gym
Facts checked October 2026
Most commercial gyms are built from the same five zones. The mix and quantities depend on your members and floor space, but the checklist below covers what each zone needs and what to ask suppliers.
The equipment, zone by zone
Each row links to the manufacturers that make that equipment.
| Zone | Core equipment | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cardio | Treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, stair climbers, rowers | Commercial (not home) warranty; power supply; 6 ft clearance behind treadmills |
| Strength machines | Selectorized and plate-loaded machines, cable stations, functional trainers | Test standard (EN ISO 20957 / ASTM); weight stack sizes; frame warranty |
| Free weights | Power racks, benches, barbells, plates, dumbbells and racks | Steel gauge; plate tolerance; drop-zone flooring |
| Functional / conditioning | Rig, sleds and turf, kettlebells, wall balls, plyo boxes, ropes | Turf lane length for sleds (12.5 m for Hyrox-style work) |
| Flooring | Rubber rolls and tiles, platforms, turf | Thickness and density by zone |
Where to compare suppliers for each zone
Cardio: commercial cardio manufacturers. Strength machines: strength & weight equipment. Free weights: racks and rigs, benches, plates and bars, dumbbells and kettlebells. Functional: functional training and sleds. Flooring: flooring makers.
To save on cardio, compare refurbished suppliers. For one supplier covering everything with delivery and installation, compare distributors.
Before you order
Budget with real prices: see how much commercial gym equipment costs. Plan the floor before buying, using published space allowances: see gym floor plan & layout. Decide how to pay: see leasing vs financing vs buying.
Check every piece is sold with a commercial warranty: home equipment typically loses its warranty in a dues-paying gym.
Questions
What equipment is needed to start a gym?
Cardio machines, strength machines, free weights (racks, benches, barbells, plates, dumbbells), functional training equipment and rubber flooring. The mix depends on your members; a Hyrox or functional gym needs more sleds, ergs and turf, a bodybuilding gym more machines and dumbbells.
What gym equipment should I start with?
The pieces every member uses: treadmills and bikes, a dumbbell set with benches, power racks with barbells and plates, and a cable or functional trainer. Add specialist machines once you know what members use.
How much does it cost to equip a new gym?
Single commercial pieces range from about $600 for a bench to over $10,000 for a new commercial treadmill. See how much commercial gym equipment costs for published prices and whole-gym budgets.
Sources
Pricing a fit-out?Describe the gym once and we'll pass it to matching manufacturers and distributors.