While many of our readers are home gym owners, and we’ve extensively covered the best home gym equipment with our reviews, we know that many of you may be looking for commercial-grade gym equipment.
Whether you’re setting up a commercial gym, CrossFit box, office gym, or simply want the most durable options for your garage gym, you’ll want to choose high-end equipment that’s built to last. We love home gyms, but we understand that a lot of the strength equipment meant for private home use may not last very long in a commercial setting.
For each category of equipment, there are countless options to choose from, which is why we’ve assembled this list of the best commercial gym equipment. If you’re looking for durable, versatile equipment that will work in any gym setting, whether that’s the best cardio machines or most versatile barbell, this guide has everything you need.
Best Commercial Gym Equipment
- Best Commercial Functional Trainer: REP Fitness Ares 2.0
- Best Commercial Squat Rack: Rogue R-3 Power Rack
- Best Commercial Bench: REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
- Best Commercial Barbell: Eleiko IWF Bar
- Best Commercial Rower: Concept2 RowErg
- Best Commercial Treadmill: Sole Fitness TT8
- Best Commercial Elliptical: NordicTrack Airglide A14i
- Best Commercial Stationary Bike: Peloton Bike+
Best Commercial Functional Trainer: REP Fitness Ares 2.0
Good for: Those who want to upgrade their existing power rack
The REP Ares 2.0 is an upgrade of the original REP Fitness Ares Cable Attachment. This functional trainer integration features improvements such as a raised low row attachment point, as well as a deeper set weight stack, to allow for more space within the power rack. The Ares 2.0 comes with dual 260-pound weight stacks, with an option to make them 310 pounds.
What our tester says:
“Although the original Ares was nice, the REP Ares 2.0 keeps the level of quality high, using premium cables and pulleys. The cable travel is very smooth, and the rack stays solid.”
Best Commercial Squat Rack: Rogue R-3 Power Rack
Good for: Those looking for one of the best squat racks on the market
Best Commercial Bench: REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
Good for: Gym owners looking for a heavy-duty bench
The Titan Fitness Elite Series Flat Bench is a budget-friendly and heavy-duty flat bench that’s capable of withholding up to 1,000 pounds.
What our tester says:
“Sure, the quality of the welds, packaging, vinyl, etc., isn’t at the level of Rogue or some of the other brands on our list, but in terms of ‘getting the job done,’ it pretty much hits every checkbox.”
Best Commercial Barbell: Eleiko IWF Bar
Good for: Lifters who want the best weightlifting barbell on the market
Best Commercial Rower: Concept2 RowErg
Good for: Those who want the most durable, popular rower on the market
The Concept 2 Model D Rower is the best rowing machine we’ve tested and reviewed, including those that are much more expensive like the WaterRower. There’s a reason you can find Concept 2 products in nearly every gym in the world, including CrossFit Boxes, and home gyms. After having the Model D for over two years, we are still as satisfied with it as we were on day one.
What our tester says:
“The build quality on this rower is tough…nothing about it feels cheap. Concept 2 is a commercial-grade rower, which means it was built with the intention that it would withstand the punishment of constant use at the gym or the CrossFit box with minimal maintenance required.”
Best Commercial Treadmill: Sole Fitness TT8
Good for: Gym owners who want a durable, heavy-duty treadmill
Best Commercial Elliptical: NordicTrack Airglide A14i
Good for: Gym owners looking for a durable elliptical with a great warranty
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical offers both incline and decline training, an adjustable stride length, and a 14-inch touchscreen display for iFIT interactive programming. You’ll enjoy the AirGlide if you want to break a sweat with expert instruction and motivation from iFIT trainers and coaches.
What our tester says:
“I also love the AutoAdjust features brought on via the programming. Rather than adjusting settings yourself, the machine automatically does it for you in accordance with your on-screen instructor.”
Best Commercial Stationary Bike: Peloton Bike+
Good for: Those who want to enjoy indoor cycling classes and virtual courses
One of the more expensive options for virtual biking, the Peloton Bike is designed to be an all-in-one fitness solution on a high-quality cardio machine. You’re paying not only for the bike, but the unique training experience it makes accessible from the comfort of your home.
What our tester says:
“Sure, this bike may need regular maintenance and other bikes may be built better, but the streaming experience is unbeatable. I’ve had to reach out to Peloton support twice in two years, and they’ve been vey responsive and fast to ship replacement parts. I’m happy with my purchase.”
Other Commercial Gym Equipment We Researched
Having tested thousands of pieces of exercise equipment over the years, there are many items we considered including in our list that didn’t quite make the cut. Here are a few other items we love, but didn’t include in our list.
- REP Fitness Colorado Bar: While the Eleiko IWF is the best commercial barbell we’ve tested, there are plenty of close runner-ups, including the versatile Colorado Bar. It’s not quite as durable, but it’s close.
- Titan Fitness Functional Trainer: The Ares 2.0 is the ideal choice for those with a compatible power rack. If you don’t have one, or prefer a standalone trainer, this is our recommendation.
- REP Nighthawk Bench: If you’re looking for an adjustable bench, the REP Nighthawk is one of the best on the market. We like the flat FB-5000 better for commercial gyms, thanks to its durable construction and lower price, but this is another great option.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Commercial Gym Equipment
Ever since Cooper “Coop” Mitchell started Garage Gym Reviews in 2014, we’ve tested thousands of pieces of fitness equipment. We’ve used countless barbells, benches, squat racks, and more, testing as many pieces of gear as we can get our hands on.
Whether we’re testing the best budget home gym equipment, running shoes, or seeing how far we can drop something expensive before it breaks, we’ve tested it all.
In addition, our team of testers includes certified personal trainers, strength coaches, registered dietitians, gym owners, and even an Olympian. Many of us have spent countless hours in various gym settings, using different types of equipment, and we know how to tell the good from the bad. As a team, we have decades of combined fitness industry experience.

For each product we test, we spend plenty of time using all of the features before using our equipment testing methodology to assign a final score. This helps provide an unbiased score by rating gym equipment on the most important criteria, including:
- Durability and construction
- Footprint and portability
- Ergonomics and functionality
- Ordering and delivery
- Warranty
- Customer support
As we were assembling this list, we specifically looked for commercial fitness equipment, looking for high durability scores and equipment that’s built to last.
We didn’t include weight plates or dumbbells on this list, for good reason. With weight plates, there are so many options that get the job done, and for commercial gyms, you just need something durable.
While we think adjustable dumbbells are great for home gyms, we’d never recommend them for commercial gyms as they’re not meant to be dropped over and over. Any standard dumbbells should work well.
Benefits of Commercial Gym Equipment
If you’re new to gym equipment, you’ll quickly realize that most pieces of equipment are available from a variety of manufacturers at a wide range of price points. While there’s plenty of great budget-friendly gear to choose from, spending more often results in a more durable, well-constructed piece of strength equipment.
For those building a private home gym that will be well-maintained, you may not need the most expensive options. However, if you plan to share the gym with others or set up a commercial fitness facility, we strongly recommend investing in the best equipment available.
Whether you’re opening a weightlifting gym, CrossFit box, hotel gym, or office gym, or you simply want to slam your weights at home without breaking them, here are a few benefits that commercial-grade gym equipment can offer.
Durability
When it comes to gym equipment, durability is a huge concern. For private home gyms, you can be respectful of your own gear, and you may not need to splurge for the most durable equipment on the market.
However, for commercial gym owners, there is no way to control how often people drop, slam, and otherwise rough-handle your equipment. This is why paying for the most premium, durable equipment you can afford is a good idea, as it’ll save you money in the long run when you aren’t constantly replacing equipment.

Versatility
Commercial gym owners should also prioritise versatility over specialized equipment. For example, you might be a powerlifter, but those who aren’t may not appreciate a stiff powerlifting bar.
That’s why we suggest commercial equipment that can be used for a variety of fitness goals and training styles, rather than specialty equipment that focuses solely on one training style or exercise.
RELATED: The Best Low-Impact Cardio Equipment
Longevity
Even with regular care and maintenance, plenty of gym equipment requires regular maintenance. Treadmill belts wear out, chains need to be replaced, pulleys can break, and other components may require maintenance.
With commercial equipment, you’re more likely to find durable gear that’s meant to withstand heavy, regular use and should last significantly longer.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Commercial Gym Equipment
If you’re having a hard time deciding what to buy, or you’re considering other options that aren’t on our list, here are the most important things to consider when shopping for commercial gym equipment.
Price Point
Most of the equipment on our list won’t fall within the budget category. However, with reputable brands, you get what you pay for, and if you’re looking for commercial-grade equipment, you’ll have to pay a little more.
We selected our top picks for each equipment category, but there are plenty of options available for each. If something on our list costs more than you want to spend, we’ve reviewed hundreds of pieces of gym equipment over the years that may work better for you.
Materials
When selecting equipment, you should always consider the materials, as they significantly impact longevity. Not to mention, higher-quality equipment often results in a better workout experience, whether that’s smoother pulleys or better knurling.
Construction quality can vary widely, and more often than not, higher-end equipment is made from superior materials.

Delivery and Assembly
Gym equipment can be heavy and challenging to assemble, especially larger, commercial-grade pieces. If you’re not comfortable building things yourself, don’t have a helper, or simply don’t want to, be sure to check the delivery policies.
Some companies only offer doorstep delivery, while some offer white-glove service and will set up the equipment for you, for an additional fee.
Warranty
Most of the equipment we offered includes some kind of warranty, ranging from a 1-year warranty all the way to a lifetime warranty. In some cases, you may be able to purchase an extended warranty, which may be a good idea if you’re going to be using this equipment in a public gym.
Experts Who Contributed To This Article
FAQs About the Best Commercial Gym Equipment
What’s the best brand of commercial gym equipment?
There are plenty of brands to choose from that make high-quality equipment designed for commercial gyms. Popular gym equipment brands often found in commercial gyms include Rogue, Prime, Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Precor, REP, Eleiko, Cybex, and more.
What is commercial gym equipment?
Commercial gym equipment is designed to be used in public gyms, where it’ll likely receive regular usage and significant wear and tear. Compared to home fitness equipment, commercial equipment is usually going to have better construction, durability, and longevity, though it’ll cost more.
What equipment is needed for a commercial gym?
The equipment you need depends on the type of gym you’re building and the types of members you have in your gym. Most gyms require a mix of strength and cardio equipment, with essentials including power racks, barbells, bumper plates, dumbbells, benches, treadmills, kettlebells, rowing machines, and more.
Most commercial fitness centers also feature a mix of free weights and strength training machines, providing a diverse range of equipment for gym users. Consider that your gym members will have a variety of health and wellness goals, so you’ll want to offer plenty of equipment options.
References
- Bosch, A. N., Flanagan, K. C., Eken, M. M., Withers, A., Burger, J., & Lamberts, R. P. (2021). Physiological and Metabolic Responses to Exercise on Treadmill, Elliptical Trainer, and Stepper: Practical Implications for Training. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 31(2), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0155









