Commercial Gym Equipment in South Africa: What Every Gym Owner Needs to Know

South Africa has a booming fitness industry. One which is as competitive on the business level as it is in the workout space. Gym goers are more discerning than they may have been twenty years ago. There is a wealth of information available online, and they are well-informed about how they want to work out and what they need. Gone are the days when fitness centres saw less than 50% of their signed-up members actually regularly walk through the doors. Today’s fitness enthusiasts are dedicated and seek training spaces to match. In reality, this means quality commercial gym equipment in South Africa should be available to meet their needs, and durability is critical.

What Not to Do When Buying Commercial Gym Equipment in South Africa

Common mistakes to avoid when equipping a new commercial training facility:

• Lack of prioritisation: When considering new commercial gym equipment in South Africa, make sure to focus on the activities and goals of your target membership. Invest in equipment that will meet those needs first.
• Poor layout and use of space: The choices of equipment should comfortably fit into the space available. If space is limited, prioritise pieces of equipment that can perform multiple functions or be stored or moved out of the way easily.
• Price over quality: Saving money on equipment that will need to be repaired and replaced soon after purchase will cost you more in the long run. It will also impact something far more valuable: your reputation amongst the gym community.

Commercial Gym Equipment vs Home Gym Equipment for Your Gym

Whether upgrading existing fitness centre equipment or building a new commercial gym, the adage, ‘buy well, buy once,’ should be top of mind for many reasons. A smaller initial investment into equipment aimed at light-commercial or home use will prove costly in the future.

• Home equipment is built for use by one or two people for six or seven weekly sessions at most. Commercial-grade gym and cardio equipment are designed with durability in mind, as they are in constant daily use. These users will likely not be attentive to keeping the equipment in good condition because it does not belong to them.
• Existing member retention is far easier than new member acquisition. Functional, user-friendly equipment in good condition keeps your members happy with their gym experience, as there will be no need to adjust sessions due to equipment that is out of order.
• Commercial gym equipment in South Africa from a quality supplier comes with warranties and ongoing service agreements. The equipment will be checked and maintained regularly, preventing costly downtime.

How to Choose Your Commercial Gym Equipment Supplier

When purchasing strength and cardio training equipment for a commercial or corporate gym, the supplier should become an integral partner in the business. It may not always be a priority when setting up or upgrading gym equipment, but choosing your supplier is key. When making your choice, consider:

• Reputation: An equipment supplier that has been in the business for a long time is familiar with every scenario and can advise on best practices based on experience, helping a new gym owner start strong without making costly mistakes.
• Location: The supplier should be centrally located and easily accessible for the delivery of new equipment, but also for swift and regular maintenance.
• Stock availability: The equipment supplier should have the capacity to stock all levels of training equipment, spares and accessories to ensure that your gym is sufficiently stocked so that members won’t need to wait to use equipment on the gym floor.
• Partnership: Running a training facility requires constant attention and focus. Having a trusted equipment partner to provide information on new advances and trends is invaluable, much like a coach will advise members on innovations in training on the workout floor.

Partner with REBEL for Commercial Gym Equipment in South Africa

Since 2008, REBEL Elite Fitness has been actively involved in opening training facilities and supplying quality equipment to gyms throughout South Africa. Our team is well-educated in equipping and running modern, commercial gyms, and they are also committed users of that equipment themselves. There is no one better to partner with to fulfil your gym equipment needs.

Explore REBEL’s full commercial range or get in touch with us to get started on upgrading your existing space or creating your new gym.