A recent trend in the health club industry has been to purchase equipment that is aesthetically pleasing. Although this might attract more members, it may not be the right approach. We are not in the business of furnishing nightclubs or restaurants. We are in the business of health clubs and fitness. When supplying a gym with the right fitness equipment, the primary concerns should be: safety, proper biomechanics, accessibility, and finally, aesthetics.
Gone are the days when every manufacturer produced a similar product and the primary concern was affordability. Today, every supplier is unique and there are machines for every need, including: rehabilitation, strength, dynamic power, core training, and so much more. The only way to know which products are right for your club is to test them yourself, or have a trained professional tell you which equipment will suit your requirements best. Some companies even offer consulting, but you should be wary of their ultimate objective. Is it to sell their equipment by suckering you in, or to find the right solution for your establishment?
Also, price is not always a good indicator of quality. Most companies rely on branding and image, but they produce their equipment in foreign countries where the quality in production is not always up to par, or they use sub-standard materials in fabrication. Some of the more important things you should be looking for are: after-market serviceability, superior materials, accommodating equipment, and an advanced distribution channel. If you really want to take advantage of pricing, you should never compromise quality. Instead, find the right manufacturer or vendor and purchase all of your equipment from the same place. Most, if not all, producers and resellers offer incredible rebates when ordering a complete circuit from one label. Also, remember that trying to save money on a machine that will break down within a few years will cost you more than purchasing the type of equipment that will last you a lifetime.
So, the next time you’re shopping for new fitness equipment for your club, leave the aesthetics to the architects, contractors and decorators, and choose the products that will service your clients best. In the long run, they will appreciate it, and they will benefit from it more.
Alec Baltadjian is the Marketing Director of Atlantis Strength Equipment. He can be contacted at 877.454.2285 extension 250, or by email at abaltadjian@atlantis-fit.com, or visit www.atlantis-fit.com.
