How to furnish a gym — complete guide 2026

Short answer: 150 m² mini gym: €35,000. 300 m² full gym: €110,000. 500+ m² premium gym: €200,000+. Always start with cardio, a multi-station machine, and a set of urethane dumbbells from 2–40 kg.

How much does it cost to equip a gym?

1. Cardio Zone (25–30% of the area)

• Treadmills — 4–8 units for a 150 m² gym
• Elliptical trainers — 2–4 units
• Ergometers (upright and recumbent) — 2–4 units
• Stepper / climber — 1–2 units
• Rowing machine (Concept2) — 1–2 units

Requirements: 6–10 mm rubber flooring with anti-static coating, separate 16A outlets for each machine, TV/mirror opposite the machines.

2. Strength Machines Zone (25–30%)

• Multi-station machine (cable cross / functional trainer) — essential
• Lat pulldown
• Seated row
• Chest press
• Shoulder press
• Leg press
• Leg curl / extension
• Smith machine

3. Free Weights (20–25%)

• Olympic barbells + weight plates 2 sets (from 1.25 to 25 kg)
• Urethane dumbbell set 2.5–50 kg (20 pairs) + double-tier rack
• 3–4 adjustable benches
• Power rack / squat rack — 1–2 units
• 15–20 mm rubber flooring

4. Functional and Stretching (15–20%)

• Wall bars
• TRX systems
• Kettlebells 8–32 kg
• Medicine balls 2–10 kg
• Battle ropes
• Yoga/stretching mats
• Foam rollers

What are the budget scenarios for equipping a gym?

Budget scenarios involve planning and allocating the financial resources needed to implement the project "How to Equip a Gym — Complete Guide 2026".

Boutique Gym (150 m²) — €25,000–€40,000

• Cardio: €8,000 (4 treadmills + 2 elliptical trainers)
• Strength machines: €10,000 (multi-station machine + 4 machines)
• Free weights: €8,000 (dumbbells up to 30 kg, 2 benches)
• Functional zone: €3,000
• Flooring: €4,000 (150 m² × €25/m²)
• Mirrors, boards, bins: €2,000

Full Gym (300 m²) — €80,000–€150,000

• Commercial-grade cardio: €35,000
• Series of strength machines (8–10 units): €45,000
• Free weights (professional dumbbells up to 50 kg): €25,000
• Functional zone: €8,000
• 300 m² flooring: €9,000
• Mirrors, air conditioning, sound system: €15,000

Premium Commercial (500+ m²) — €100,000+

• Top brand cardio series (Technogym, Life Fitness, Matrix)
• Full series of pin-loaded and plate-loaded strength machines
• CrossFit zone with rig
• Boutique studio for group classes
• Sauna, steam room, rehabilitation area

What are the priorities on a limited budget?

Priorities on a limited budget include cardio machines, as people won't visit a gym without them, a multi-station machine (one machine equivalent to 20 exercises), a set of dumbbells from 2 to 30 kg with 2 benches, a power rack with an Olympic barbell, and rubber flooring, which should never be skipped.

1. Cardio (people don't come without it)
2. Multi-station machine (1 machine = 20 exercises)
3. Dumbbell set 2–30 kg + 2 benches
4. Power rack with Olympic barbell
5. Rubber flooring (never skip it)

What are the technical requirements for a gym space?

Technical requirements for a gym space include a ceiling height of at least 270 cm (ideally 320+ cm for Olympic lifting), a separate 32A electrical line for the cardio zone with outlets every 2 meters, ventilation of 10–12 air changes/hour with air conditioning and reverse cycle, a floor with a leveling tolerance of under 5 mm/m and a load capacity of 500 kg/m², as well as mirrors covering at least one entire wall, and WC and changing rooms of at least 2 m² per 10 m² of the gym.

• Ceiling height — minimum 270 cm, ideally 320+ cm for Olympic lifting
• Electricity — separate 32A line for the cardio zone, outlets every 2 meters
• Ventilation — 10–12 air changes/hour, air conditioning with reverse cycle
• Floor — leveling tolerance under 5 mm/m, load capacity 500 kg/m²
• Mirrors — at least one entire wall mirrored
• WC and changing rooms — minimum 2 m² per 10 m² of gym space

What to look for in a B2B supplier?

• Transport and installation — professional equipment weighs 200–400 kg
• Service and spare parts — guarantee of availability for 10+ years
• Contractual B2B prices and discount levels
• Financing / leasing — for investments over €50,000
• 3D design — visualization before purchase

A B2B supplier for fitness equipment is a company like Sport-Zona, which offers complete gym outfitting, including design, delivery, installation, and service, providing B2B discounts from 5 to 25% and working with exclusive brands, based on over 15 years of industry experience.

What are the common mistakes of gym owners?

• Too many machines, too few free weights — the modern client wants functional training
• Skimping on flooring — concrete cracks, equipment breaks
• Ignoring ventilation — without 10+ air changes/hour, the gym smells within 6 months
• Buying only new equipment — for startup gyms, 30% reconditioned is a good balance
• No mirrors — clients want to see their form