More than ever, our society is prioritizing being physically fit. As a result, personal training is a growing industry.
In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported more than 299 thousand fitness trainer and instructor jobs and indicated that it expects that number to grow. In the ten years between 2016 and 2026, the BLS expects ten percent job growth in the industry, which is above average.
It's clear that the demand for these kinds of services is there. For business owners who run a personal training studio, the challenge becomes understanding what clients want and how to attract potential customers.
One of the first things clients will look at is the type of equipment a personal training studio has. They'll want to ensure that all of their fitness needs can be met in one place.
Read on for a list of the top 13 pieces of equipment that your personal training studio should have.
1. A Complete Set of Dumbbells
A complete set of dumbbells is one of an essential piece of equipment for any personal training studio. Almost all your clients will be familiar with them, and so will confident when they see them included in your equipment inventory.
Dumbbells are also relatively inexpensive compared to other equipment, so stocking a wide variety should be within the budget for even the newest personal training studio.
Once you have a set of dumbbells, it's easy to design various programs and exercise that utilize them. Because they aren't high-tech, your clients shouldn't feel intimidated getting right to work. Dumbbells also provide clients with a built-in way to track their progress as they begin doing exercises with heavier weights.
Lots of fitness trends come and go, but dumbbells should be a mainstay in your personal training studio.
2. Proper Flooring
In a personal training studio, flooring is not just a building necessity. It's a piece of equipment.
That may seem strange, but think about how often you include floor exercises or stretching as part of a personal training program. You want your clients to feel comfortable in the space, and thinking about flooring as a piece of equipment can go a long way in helping you achieve that.
When looking for the best quality flooring, you should consider safety, durability, and hygiene. You want a floor that will that is easy to keep clean and can withstand the activity of your personal training studio.
Different materials will be right for different studios, but there are a few basic things you should consider when choosing your material:
- Is it anti-slip? You want a surface that offers good grip.
- Is it easy to clean? A dingy, dirty floor sends the wrong impression.
- Is it shock-absorbant? The quieter you are, the happier your neighbors will be.
3. Boxing Equipment
The popularity of boxing as a televised sport has been on the rise in recent years. As a result, there's been increased interest in boxing as a form of exercise.
You don't have to be a dedicated, boxing-only gym to capitalize on this. Purchasing boxing equipment for your personal training studio is a great way to get in on the trend.
And the equipment itself doesn't have to be fancy. Ideally, you'll want to purchase gloves for basic boxing drills, as well as a heavy bag for striking. If you plan to partner people up, you'll want to provide targets mitts, protective headgear, and shin guards as well.
Incorporating boxing moves into the programs you design for your clients can help them get excited about sticking to an exercise routine.
4. Kettlebells
Similar to dumbbells, kettlebells are a relatively inexpensive and versatile piece of equipment for your personal training studio.
Your clients may not have as much experience using kettlebells since they aren't a staple of many home gyms, but that's where your work begins.
Kettlebell exercises are designed to work the entire body as one unit. That more accurately mirrors how our body functions in the real world. Kettlebells also make it easy for you to design exercises that accomplish an individual client's fitness goals.
They can be used just as successfully for strength training as they can for weight loss, making it a great all-around tool to have in your studio.
5. Steps or Raised Platforms
Steps or raised platforms can be useful to solo exercisers, but they are especially worthy of an investment if you plan to conduct group training sessions. Stackable steps allow each person in a training group to customize the same exercise to their individual level.
By creating a height difference, steps can be used to encourage a greater range of motion for your clients. Steps or raised platforms are also a great way to make certain exercises more intense.
For example, you may notice that a client you've been working with for a while has gotten comfortable with push-ups or squats. When you introduce a raised platform into the motion, you're increasing the intensity and challenging your client further.
You can even use stackable platforms in lieu of a training bench if you're looking for ways to keep costs down further.
6. A Sophisticated Sound System
Many people find music to be motivating when they're working out, and it's probable that your potential personal training clients will enjoy having it on in the background.
As a personal trainer, you want to do everything possible to create the best environment for your customers to achieve their fitness goals. Investing in a sophisticated sound system can make a significant difference.
Anyone can play music from their phone or computer, but a high-quality sound system is a more professional way to play music for your clients.
When you're using unprofessional equipment, anything could go wrong. Your audio system could malfunction, or you could experience a poor quality playback.
That's not only distracting to someone who is working out, it also sends the wrong message about your professionalism and the pride you take in your personal training studio.
Investing in a sound system may seem like an unnecessary expensive -- especially since it's not technically workout equipment -- but it will make a big difference in the quality of the experience you can provide your clients.
7. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a great piece of equipment to have around because they are both versatile and portable.
Working with resistance bands will allow your clients to target a variety of different muscle groups for an overall full body workout.
Resistance bands are also useful if you want to give your clients an exercise that can be done anywhere. They can take the resistance bands to a spot in the studio where they're comfortable and get to work on their own.
You can also advise your clients to buy a set for themselves. They'll get comfortable using them at your personal training studio, and then be able to keep up with their exercises if they're traveling or have a busy time when they can't make it in.
8. Conditioning Equipment
Your clients may not be professional athletes, but that doesn't mean you can't train them like they are. Conditioning equipment like cones, ladders, hurdles are used a lot in the sports world, but they can benefit everyone.
At the personal training level, this type of equipment can be used to focus on a client's
agility, power, stability and overall athleticism. Many clients desire this type of training, but not every studio is equipped to focus on that kind of work.
By including conditioning equipment in your inventory, you have an opportunity to set your personal training studio apart from the average gym.
9. Pilates Equipment
There is likely a crossover in clientele between those who are interested in pilates and those who are interested in working with a personal trainer.
Rather than forcing customers to choose, you can make your studio a one-stop shop by investing in pilates equipment. Incorporating the equipment into your personal training routine will leave clients feeling like they're getting two workouts for the price of one.
Before you introduce the equipment to your clients, however, it's important that you have a solid understanding of how it works. There are a lot of different options to choose from -- and the equipment is a financial investment -- so do your research.
Choose pilates machines and equipment that will make sense when incorporated with the other personal training services you offer.
10. Jump Rope
Working with a jump rope might make your clients feel like they're back on the elementary school playground, but it's actually a great piece of personal training equipment.
A jump rope is both simple and effective, and it doesn't require a lot of instruction on your part. You can design a great workout using a jump rope that your clients can complete in a matter of minutes.
Since using a jump rope is self-explanatory, once they have your instructions, they can complete the workout with little supervision.
Similar to the resistance bands, a jump rope is also great because your clients can purchase one to use at home as well. And there are few excuses for not doing so -- they're cheap, easy to use, and may even be fun as well.
11. Cardio Equipment
Strength training tends to be a big focus of personal training because most people have a hard time doing it on their own. They need the guidance and motivation a personal trainer can provide.
That being said, cardio is an essential part of any fitness regime, and you should be prepared to incorporate cardio work into your personal training sessions. Equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals are great for cardio work.
This equipment can be more expensive and tends to take up a lot of room, but the benefits of having them outweigh the negatives. They are standard at almost every gym, so it's likely that your clients will expect any professional fitness studio to have them as well.
12. Balance Trainers
Balance training equipment can take many forms, including half-balls, balance and wobble boards, disks, and sponge pads.
Balance products are primarily used for targeting and strengthening the core muscles, which is often a fitness goal among personal training clients. Because of the instability these products create, clients have to rely on their abdominal muscles to stay balanced.
Balance trainers can also be used for supportive stretching, which is an important component to keeping clients healthy and injury-free throughout their time at your studio.
No matter what exercise your client is completing, if it's done on a balance training product, there's an added element of strength-training and a focus on improved coordination.
13. Foam Rollers
Recovery is an important element of any personal training regimen. Proper recovery is the best way for your clients to maximize the benefits of the work they do with you.
Foam rollers aid in recovery by providing a type of self-massage. This not only feels great, but it also works to improve mobility and flexibility, which will then result in better performance.
Other benefits of foam rolling include improved blood flow and a release of tension in the muscles. Working with a foam roller can also decrease the risk of injury, which will allow your clients to stay committed to their fitness goals.
While your clients can use foam rollers at home, having them around your studio encourages them to think about how they're taking care of their bodies and put an emphasis on the importance of proper recovery.
Ready to Stock your Personal Training Studio with Equipment?
The average person looking to improve their health and fitness is likely to be overwhelmed by all the options available to them. There are endless websites and magazine articles on the best exercises, and they often contradict each other.
That's why so many people are turning to personal trainers. They want a professional who they can trust to give them the best advice.
They want a place where they can go to access the best equipment and complete a fitness program tailored to their goals. Maintaining a smart inventory of equipment can help you be that studio.
For more information on ways to improve your personal training studio, please browse our blog.