Commercial Gym Equipment List: What a New Gym Needs
Opening a gym is exciting — and equipping it is one of the biggest costs you'll face. This commercial gym equipment list covers the essentials for a typical strength-focused gym or training studio, so you can plan your floor, budget and buying order.
Quick answer: Most new gyms need a mix of selectorized machines for every major muscle group, a few heavy plate-loaded leg machines, racks and benches with barbells and plates, dumbbells, a cable station, some cardio, and rubber flooring. Start with the core pieces and add specialty machines as membership grows.
1. Selectorized Machines
Pin-loaded machines are easy and quick for members of every level. A solid starter line covers:
- Chest press and pec fly / rear delt
- Shoulder press and lateral raise
- Lat pulldown and seated row
- Leg extension, seated or prone leg curl, and hip abduction / adduction
- Biceps curl, triceps extension and an ab crunch
Brands like Cybex, Life Fitness, Nautilus and Strive all make full selectorized lines — see our plate-loaded vs selectorized guide for the pros and cons.
2. Plate-Loaded Leg Machines
Leg day drives traffic. A leg press is close to essential, and a hack squat, pendulum squat or belt squat is a big draw for serious lifters. Read hack squat vs leg press if you can only fit one at first.
3. Racks, Benches and Barbells
- Power racks or half racks — the more the better in a strength gym
- Flat and adjustable benches
- Olympic barbells and a good supply of weight plates (see cast iron vs rubber plates)
- A Smith machine for members who prefer a guided bar
4. Dumbbells
A full dumbbell run (commonly 5 lb up to 75–100 lb) with sturdy racks is one of the most used areas of any gym. See our guide to buying used dumbbells.
5. Cable Stations
A dual adjustable pulley or cable crossover adds hundreds of exercise options in one footprint, like the Life Fitness Pro1 Cable Crossover.
6. Cardio
Even strength gyms need some cardio for warm-ups and conditioning: treadmills, bikes, rowers or stair climbers, matched to your members.
7. Flooring and Extras
Rubber flooring protects floors and equipment and reduces noise. Add mirrors, storage, cleaning stations and first-aid supplies.
New or Used?
Buying quality used equipment can stretch your budget much further, letting you open with a fuller floor. Many gyms buy used machines and new small items (like cables and grips). Before you buy, use our used equipment inspection checklist, and check our guide to what it costs to equip a gym.
Plan the Layout
Group equipment by zone (machines, free weights, racks, cardio), leave safe walkways, and measure every machine's footprint before you buy. Check delivery access, too — commercial machines are heavy and large.
Ready to start? Browse our commercial strength machines or send us your equipment list and we'll help you put together the right package. Freight delivery is included in our prices across the lower 48 states.