Strength training is a foundational form of fitness. People want to get stronger, and strength training allows them to do just that. If you don’t offer a strength training zone in your gym, you’ll miss out on a huge group of potential members.
But not all strength training zones are built the same. Yours needs to be cleverly laid out and feature the strength training machines that will help your members reach their fitness and body goals sooner.
At GymQuip we’ve been helping commercial gyms, hotels and apartment complexes fill their training floors with commercial strength equipment for over 30 years.
In this guide we’ll share that expertise, revealing how your gym can build an effective strength training zone that boosts member engagement, retention and revenue.
Key considerations when planning your strength training zone
Before you design your strength training zone, you need ask yourself a few key questions:
- Who is my target audience? Are you building a strength training zone for casual gym-goers, powerlifters, professional athletes, maybe all of the above? This will determine the equipment you choose.
- How will I zone my gym? On top of your strength training zone, will you also offer cardio, functional training and group training zones?
- How much strength training space do I have? Given the total training area you have and the zones you plan to offer, how much floorspace can you commit to a strength training zone?
The answers to these questions will allow you to paint a far clearer picture of what your ideal strength training zone might look like.
Must-have equipment for a complete strength training zone
The best gym equipment for strength training will depend on the type of member you’re targeting and the space you have available. But a truly complete zone will tend to feature the following equipment.
Free weights & powerlifting equipment
- Power/squat racks: Ideal for compound lifts, power and squat racks for commercial gyms tend to be super strong and durable.
- Olympic weight sets: Choose durable, high-quality barbells and plates.
- Dumbbells/kettlebells: Offer a wide range of weights to cater to a full spectrum of training styles and strength levels.
- Weight benches: Offer a full complement of bench types: flat, incline, decline, adjustable and sliding.
Plate-loaded strength machines
- Upper body: Grant your members access to safe and controlled strength training with lat, pec dec and bi/tri machines.
- Lower body: A must-have for lower body strength training, choose leg press/extension/curl machines and calf-focused trainers.
- Core and back: Ab and back machines allow your members to capitalise on high-performance variations of bodyweight exercises.
- Smith machines: Plate-loaded smith machines offer a full range of strength training exercises in a single, compact unit.
Pin-loaded strength machines
- Selectorised machines: This equipment ensures maximum safety and control by enclosing weights – ideal for less experienced gym goers.
- Cable crossover machines: These versatile machines provide multi-angle resistance for full-body training.
- Functional trainers: Functional training equipment is essentially a cable crossover machine in its more compact form, which helps your gym to maximise space.
Smart strength equipment
- DKN smart machines: With the ability to adjust resistance in real-time, and act almost like an on-demand personal trainer, this AI-powered equipment – exclusive to GymQuip – helps your members reach their strength goals sooner.
Safety, flooring & accessibility considerations
Once you’ve chosen your equipment, it’s time to design your space. When sketching out your floor plan, be sure to consider the following factors:
- Gym flooring: Shock-absorbing rubber mats are usually best for strength training zones, but more functional types of strength training may benefit from artificial turf.
- Storage solutions: Free weights need a home if your strength training zone is to stay safe, tidy and accessible. Place racks and storage for weight plates, dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells in a convenient yet unobtrusive spot.
- Accessibility and traffic flow: Ensure you offer adequate free space so members can use every machine and navigate the space safely and comfortably.
- Equipment groupings: Create sub-zones within your strength training zone that group your equipment (free weights, plate-loaded, pin-loaded, etc.) to make it easy to find and efficient to use.
Maximising ROI: how the right strength equipment can power success
When you take the time to carefully design and implement a strength training zone in your gym, you can create a space that new members will want to experience, that current members will want to come back to, and that builds your reputation as the go-to training facility in your area.
- Increased sign-ups: A well designed strength training zone can make you the obvious option for a fitness fan, and can help you to attract new types of members that you’ve never targeted before.
- Better member retention: Well-equipped strength training zones can keep members engaged, making them less likely to fall off their training. That’s particularly the case when you offer unique and ultra-effective equipment like DKN smart machines.
- Personal training revenue: High-quality strength zones can help to boost PT session bookings, as the area has all the equipment a PT needs to service a wide range of clients.
- Lower maintenance: Choosing commercial-grade strength machines from trusted brands can ultimately lower your running costs, as it will require minimal maintenance and last a long time before it needs to be repaired or replaced.
GymQuip: commercial gym fitout specialists
Home to one of Australia’s largest fitness showrooms, and with a history stretching back over 30 years, at GymQuip we specialise in the design and fitout of commercial gyms, including revenue-generating strength training zones.
If you’re looking for expert advice on the ideal floorplan for your new gym, and the ideal equipment to fill it, our gym fitout experts are here to help.
Beginning with a consulting session, we’ll design your floor plan; identify, deliver and install high performance equipment; then provide ongoing service and support to ensure your gym runs smoothly in the long run.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to start crafting your ultimate strength training zone.