As a commercial gym owner, you will aim to offer the best fitness experience to your customers. However, choosing between free weights and strength training equipment is confusing. Both choices are beneficial and essential in helping people succeed in their fitness journey.
But have you considered a fitness environment combining free weights and strength training equipment? When you offer a mix of these equipment, you can make a fitness facility that serves all fitness levels. In a research published by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, it was seen that training with free weights leads to more significant strength improvements in free-weight exercises. In contrast, machine-based training enhances strength in machine-specific movements.
This blog will cover how a perfect blend of free weights and equipment for strength training can boost the efficiency of your gym.
Free weights include equipment like kettlebells, dumbbells and plates that aren't connected to any machine. This equipment allows for a broad range of exercises for different muscle groups, helping people to improve their fitness.
Strength training equipment includes leg press machines, cable machines, chest press, pin loaded, plate loaded, and multi stations. These machines guide users through a set movement range, allowing people to achieve their fitness goals.
Listed below are a few advantages that your gym can have by incorporating free weight equipment:
Free weights are adaptable to many different exercises and focus on all major muscles. Some examples include barbells, dumbbells, or kettlebells, which people can use to perform compound movements and isolated exercises. This allows people to build muscle strength and endurance while personalising the workout to their fitness objectives.
Free weights generally require less space to organise. That lets you use the maximum space for other equipment or activities in your commercial gym. You can use small shelves or dumbbell racks to maintain a neat and clutter-free gym.
Having free weights in your commercial gym provides benefits that meet the needs of all fitness levels. The beginners in your gym can start using lighter weights, whereas experienced lifters can test their limits by increasing the weight training intensity. This flexibility makes free-weight fitness equipment like dumbbells or barbells an appealing option in your gym.
Free weights are generally cost-effective commercial gym equipment. This makes free weights a preferred choice for gym owners with tight budgets or space restrictions. This equipment requires less maintenance and does not require complex electronic components or moving parts for setup.
Mentioned below are a few ways in which equipment for strength training can boost your gym efficacy:
This equipment lets your gym members have different workouts according to their fitness objectives. They can focus on gaining muscle, toning up, increasing overall strength, and more. You can offer flexibility of workouts to your customers to let them enhance their workout routines and fitness growth.
Strength training equipment is a favourite among a larger group of fitness lovers. The strength equipment lets you attract athletes looking for advanced fitness or customers looking to increase muscle mass or boost strength. This equipment can bring a variety of demographics to your commercial gym.
The strength training equipment, like gym machines, gives a secure workout option for beginners. They can manage the movements and reduce the chance of injuries. This premium fitness equipment has adjustable weights and fixed movements to help beginners with proper techniques.
A fitness centre with a combination of gym equipment provides a comprehensive workout environment which allows fitness enthusiasts to focus on different muscle groups and build strength.
Using the space in your commercial gym effectively is essential for accommodating free weights and machines for strength. A thoughtful layout can help optimise circulation and minimise clutter. You can have clear pathways and establish spaces for functional training, stopping overcrowding and ensuring every member can access equipment without feeling crowded.
You can keep gym members motivated and engaged in their fitness journey by offering different gym equipment like free weight and strength training, providing members with easy access to their particular fitness goals, and they're likely to remain committed to their routine. They are more likely to continue with your facility, where they can get positive fitness results.
The final decision about having a balance for free weights and equipment for strength training in your commercial gym lies in considering some essential factors like:
If your gym has athletes or experienced lifters, you can keep a focus on free weights. And if your gym sees crowds of beginners or those recovering from injury, you can prefer strength training equipment or machines.
The equipment for free weights requires less space, but they may need more careful organising to ensure safety. Machines for strength training typically consume more space. Still, you can arrange them by type to simplify their efficient use.
When you provide a combined facility for free weights and equipment for strength training, your commercial gym will accommodate a broad fitness audience. You can serve different fitness levels with an inclusive experience for every member.
The choice between free weights and strength training equipment is not a one-size-fits-all. As a commercial gym owner, you must provide versatile fitness facilities at your centre. You must find a balance between free weights and strength training machines but not overlook other factors like space, client requirements, and more while picking the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both gym equipment are safe when used with proper technique. You may need to ensure appropriate functional instruction for safety with this equipment.
The methods and benefits may differ for both equipment, but you can get benefits for your fitness goals. Free weights work on the functional development of muscles, and strength machines focus on specific muscle groups.
Yes. You must have a combination of free weights and strength training machines in your commercial gym to help you serve a wider audience with different fitness goals.