The Must Have
The non-negotiable essentials every commercial facility needs to open, operate and compete — the baseline kit list we recommend before anything else.
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Built for the UK leisure sector
Before the premium upgrades and signature pieces, every gym needs a core set of equipment that members expect on day one. The Must Have is our curated baseline — the strength, cardio, free-weight and functional essentials that make a facility viable, safe and competitive from opening day.
Arrange a callStrength essentials
Selectorised and plate-loaded machines covering the major movement patterns.
Cardio essentials
Treadmills, bikes and rowers rated for continuous daily commercial use.
Free weight essentials
Racks, benches, dumbbells and plates sized to your member numbers.
Functional essentials
A functional rig or training zone with the accessories members expect.
One partner, from concept to ongoing care
Gym concept creation
We help shape the vision — positioning, member journey and the training experience that sets your facility apart.
Equipment & finish selection
Specifying the right machines, upholstery, frames and finishes for your space, budget and member profile.
Gym floor design
Zoned layouts engineered for flow, sightlines, peak-hour capacity and safe, efficient member movement.
Project advice & guidance
Dedicated support at every stage — from feasibility and timelines to logistics, install sequencing and handover.
Finance solutions
Flexible funding and leasing options that spread cost and protect cashflow without compromising the spec.
Install packages
Professional delivery, assembly and installation by our own teams — fully managed, on schedule, minimal disruption.
Staff on-site training
Hands-on induction for your team on safe use, setup and basic maintenance of every machine we supply.
Ongoing service packages
Preventative maintenance, compliance checks and priority repair cover to keep your floor running at full capacity.
Account management
A single, named point of contact who knows your facility and is there whenever you need to expand, refit or reorder.
What every commercial gym needs on day one
Before the premium upgrades and signature pieces, every facility needs a core set of equipment that members expect the moment they walk through the door. This is our recommended baseline — the non-negotiables that make a gym viable, safe and competitive.
Strength — selectorised
- Chest press
- Seated row
- Lat pulldown
- Shoulder press
- Leg press
- Leg extension / curl
Covers all major movement patterns; pin-select for fast member throughput.
Strength — plate-loaded
- Plate-loaded chest press
- Plate-loaded leg press / hack squat
- Plate-loaded row
Adds a serious-strength option for experienced lifters.
Free weights
- Power rack / half rack (min. 1 per 100 members)
- Olympic barbell + plates (20kg bar, 160kg+ plates per rack)
- Adjustable bench (flat / incline)
- Dumbbell set 2.5–50kg+
The backbone of any strength offering — sized to peak-hour demand.
Cardio
- Commercial treadmill
- Upright / recumbent bike
- Rowing machine
- Cross trainer / stepper
Minimum one of each for a viable cardio zone; scale by member numbers.
Functional
- Functional rig / squat stand bay
- Kettlebell set
- Dumbbell storage / plate storage
- Flooring for functional zone
The fastest-growing zone in commercial gyms — plan for it on day one.
Storage & accessories
- Plate tree / storage
- Dumbbell rack
- Kettlebell shelf
- Cleaning stations
Keeps the floor safe, tidy and member-ready at all times.
The 20 machines every good gym must have
Beyond the baseline essentials, this is the definitive list of twenty machines that separate a serious commercial facility from a basic one. Cover every major movement pattern and muscle group with these on your floor.
Leg Press
Lower body — compound
Hack Squat
Lower body — compound
Pendulum Squat / V-Squat
Lower body — compound
Leg Extension
Lower body — isolation
Seated Leg Curl
Lower body — isolation
Hip Thrust Machine
Lower body — posterior chain
Chest Press
Upper body — push
Incline Chest Press
Upper body — push
Shoulder Press
Upper body — push
Lat Pulldown
Upper body — pull
Seated Row
Upper body — pull
High Row
Upper body — pull
Reverse Pec Deck
Upper body — pull (isolation)
Dual Adjustable Pulley
Cable — functional strength
Cable Lat Pulldown
Cable — upper body pull
Cable Low Row
Cable — upper body pull
Adductor
Lower body — isolation
Abductor
Lower body — isolation
Standing / Seated Calf Raise
Lower body — isolation
Smith Machine
Free weight — guided barbell
Scale by member numbers, not by ambition
The must-have list is the minimum viable kit. How much of each item you need depends on your peak-hour member count, the mix of strength vs cardio users, and your facility's positioning. Over-spec and you tie up capital; under-spec and members queue at peak times. We help you land the right balance.
Get a sized kit list
Tell us about your the must have needs
Share your requirements and we'll come back with a tailored response — usually within one working day.
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Site visits available nationwide
Finance options on request
Guides, sectors & locations
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