What Equipment Do I Need To Start A Gym?
If you want to set up your gym but don’t know where to start – you are in the right place. At FitKit, we are experts in supplying gym equipment to gyms nationwide, and we are here to give you the best advice about the types of equipment you will need for your gym.
We’ll cover a range of gym types and include a checklist of all the equipment needed to get up and running. From more complex CrossFit gym setups to yoga studios – keep reading to find exactly what you need.
Table of Contents
CrossFit Gym
What equipment do I need for a CrossFit gym?
Founded in 2000, CrossFit has risen in popularity in the last decade and includes high-intensity interval training made up of workouts that include functional movements, cardio and even some gymnastics.
Due to the varied nature of CrossFit workouts, we’re going to focus on essential equipment and nice-to-haves.
Essential CrossFit Equipment
This is the list of CrossFit equipment that is essential for creating a CrossFit gym and the exercises each piece of equipment will be used for:
| Equipment | Used For |
| Barbell and Plates | Deadlifts, squats and bench presses. |
| Gymnastic rings | Muscle-ups and ring dips. |
| Kettlebells | Goblet squats and kettlebell swings. |
| Medicine ball | Wall ball exercises. |
| Plyo box | Box jumps. |
| Pull-up bar | Pull-ups and chin-ups. |
| Rowing machine | Cardio, warm-up and cool-down exercises. |
| Skipping ropes | Double unders and cardio. |
| Treadmill | Cardio. |
Nice to have CrossFit equipment
Below is a list of nice-to-have CrossFit equipment that can be harder to source but will certainly give your gym members the workout they deserve.
| Equipment | Used For |
| Assault Bike | Leg strength and cardio. |
| Dumbbells | Lunges, snatches, thrusters and other strength moves. |
| Ski Erg | Low impact workout that builds upper body and core. |
Boxing / MMA Gym
If you want to set up a boxing or MMA gym, ensuring you have the right equipment is crucial to its success. Having the equipment to cater to all levels of capability is also important, so keep reading to find out the equipment you need to set up a boxing gym.
What equipment do I need to set up a boxing gym?
| Equipment | Used for |
| Boxing gloves | Have a range of sizes to accommodate all ages and abilities. |
| Boxing ring | The centrepiece of your gym, ensure you install ropes, corner cushions and turnbuckles for sparring sessions. |
| Protective gear | Ensure your members are safe with mouthpieces, headgear, hand wraps and groin guards. |
| Punching bags | Used to improve speed, power and technique. |
| Strength and conditioning equipment | Kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells and weights for strength conditioning. |
If you are searching for the following equipment, you can find what you need within our combat functional fitness category, which features premium brands, such as Hatton Boxing and Fitness Mad.
Yoga/Pilates Studio
When opening a yoga or pilates studio, creating an aesthetic and emphasising a relaxing vibe throughout the space is important. That said, you will need a range of equipment to create a class that engages users and their core to the max. While yoga studios mainly require Escape Fitness gym mats, a Pilates studio generally needs more.
What equipment do I need to set up a yoga or pilates studio?
| Equipment | Used for |
| Exercise balls | While Swiss balls help with focus, support and resistance, soft pilates weights help implement further movement into your workout. |
| Foam rollers | Increase joint mobility and relieve muscle soreness, tightness and inflammation. |
| Pilates Magic Circle | A Pilates must-have when working on balance and resistance. |
| Pilates mat | Thicker than a yoga mat to support frequent floor-based workouts. Aim to find a non-slip pilates mat with a thickness between 8-15mm. |
| Pilates reformers | Used to ensure precise movements, body alignment and muscle engagement to enhance core strength and general well-being. |
| Resistance bands | Flexibility and strength exercises with various resistance levels and lengths catering to different abilities and progress. |
Boot Camp Gym
The versatility of boot camp exercises allows you to design your workout regimes with your preferred equipment. However, changing up your classes is essential to keep your clientele engaged. The military-like nature of a boot camp gym means high-intensity training for all, yet catering to all abilities is essential to maximise inclusivity and set personalised progress targets.
What equipment do I need to set up a boot camp gym?
Before buying your boot camp equipment, there are things you need to consider. Maybe your gym is for a targeted clientele, or you’re a start-up business with a limited budget. To ensure you and your clients are getting the most out of your gym, we have crafted a list of essential boot camp equipment and additional items that will greatly benefit you later down the line or when your business develops.
Must-have equipment for your boot camp gym
| Equipment | Used for |
| Agility ladders | Facilitate different exercises, from basic cardio to cognitive workouts. |
| Barbells | Deadlifts, chest presses, hip thrusts. |
| Cones | Establish different workout sessions and mark distances for various running drills or sprints. |
| Dumbbells | Full upper-body workouts and leg exercises such as lunges. |
| Kettlebells | Kettlebell swings and squats. |
| Medicine balls | Core exercises and team-based workouts. |
| Resistance bands | Strength building, targeting specific muscle groups and adding intensity to various exercises. |
| Sandbags | Deadlifts, squats or enhancing cardio difficulties. |
| Whiteboard | Visually displays regimes and routines for your gym users to follow. |
Additional items for your boot camp gym
Ready to add to your boot camp gym? Take the plunge by adding the ultimate equipment to your space.
| Equipment | Used for |
| Battle ropes | Core, cardiovascular and various muscle groups. |
| Plyometric boxes | Box jumps. |
| Sleds | Entire body workouts while building strength and stamina. |
| Weighted items | Weighted vests or wrist/ankle weights to add intensity to a range of workouts. |
Powerlifting Gym
Take your strength and conditioning workouts to new heights by setting up a powerlifting gym. Unlike many other gym types, powerlifting equipment exceeds what can be found in commercial settings, with necessary machines and weights specifically designed for those with athlete or elite capabilities. While commercial gyms are great for beginner powerlifters and general day-to-day use, more advanced abilities progress further with extremely heavyweight apparatus.
What equipment do I need to set up a powerlifting gym?
| Equipment | Used for |
| Belt squat | Improves lower-body and leg strength. The belt helps to minimise weight on the lower back by distributing it around the hips. |
| Bow bar | Enables natural movement during lifts such as lunges, Hise shrugs and squats. |
| Deadlift bars | Heavyweight lifting exercises for competitors and powerlifters. |
| Giant cambered bars | Enhances glutes, hamstring, back and hip strength. |
| Glute ham developer (GHD) | Strengthens the posterior chain (hamstrings, lower back and glutes). |
| Olympic benches | Advanced full-body weight training. |
| Safety squat bars | Provides extra strength, comfort and injury prevention during heavy lifting workouts. |
| Sleds | Strength and stamina expansion to the upper and lower body. |
| Squat racks | Maximal weight lifting from bench press and back press to deadlifts. |
Boutique Gym
When setting up a boutique gym, the main thing to consider is which exercises you want to specialise in. Typically, boutique gyms focus on fewer fitness areas than other gyms, such as HIIT, spin or yoga. Class sizes and the space are generally much smaller, with a booking system rather than contracted memberships.
What do I need to set up a boutique gym?
How you set up your boutique gym will depend on the exercises you want to incorporate. We have provided the recommended equipment for general approaches you might take, although some extra research will be necessary if you choose an alternative angle. For Yoga-based boutique gyms, revisit our previous section on how to set up a yoga or pilates studio.
HIIT Equipment for a Boutique Gym
| Equipment | Used for |
| Dumbbells | Lunges, snatches, thrusters and other strength moves. |
| Kettlebells | Goblet squats and kettlebell swings. |
| Resistance bands | Strength building, targeting specific muscle groups and adding intensity to various exercises. |
| Skipping ropes | Implementing cardio into fitness regimes and plyometrics. |
Spin Equipment for a Boutique Gym
| Equipment | Used for |
| Dumbbells | Implementing resistance training into cardio workouts. |
| Studio bikes | Conventional riding exercises with adjustable features to increase intensity. Users can also track their performance and progress. |
Purchase top-quality equipment for your gym today!
With your chosen gym decided and a thorough knowledge of everything you need, it’s time to start setting up your new business endeavour. Our gym equipment range is crafted from top brands, from Fitness Mad and Jordan Fitness to Star Trac and Technogym. Choose your favourite products from FitKit UK today and receive Free Kerbside Delivery on your order.
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