In recent years, there has been a surge in gym equipment, driven by high demand. As a result, more and more brands are emerging, with over 15,000 brands worldwide, causing many gym owners to struggle with choosing the best option for their needs.
1. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength
Country of Origin: USA (Rosemont, Illinois)
Founded: started in 1968 with a bicycle machine
Speciality: Treadmill, Hammer strength back machines, Hammer strength chest push machines
Life Fitness, one of the oldest brands in the world, started in 1968 in America, and they were the first to create bike machines. Life Fitness is the first to establish computerized machines as well
2. CYBEX
Country of Origin: USA (Ronkonkoma, New York)
Founded: 1960s
Speciality: Ellipticals, cross cables, Abductors and Leg extension
Cybex used to be the no.1 brand of gym equipment in the world. It started even earlier than Life Fitness in the 60s, and many machines were the best in the world, but in 2016, it was fully acquired by Life Fitness, so now it is part of the Life Fitness group
3. Precore
Origin: USA (Woodinville, Washington (near Seattle))
Founded: 1980
Speciality: Ellipticals, Treadmill (Very smooth), Biceps curl machine, Triceps extension machine
Precore is one of the oldest and most durable gym equipment, robust and very versatile.
4. Technogym
Origin: Italy (Cesena)
Founded: 1983
Speciality: Treadmill, TECHNOGYM Bench, selection chest press machine
Technogym is the largest gym equipment brand in Europe. Technogym is well known for its premium machines, which have been used not only in Gyms but at high-end billionaires’ mansions . They are not only superior in biomechanics but also in Tech, and now all the latest equipment has the latest smart features you can imagine
5. Rogue Fitness
Origin: USA (Toledo, Ohio)
Founded: 2007
Speciality: Best Barbells in the world, Best Equipment accessories, Innovative Bar racks
Rogue fitness is specialized in certain equipment, so they do not really compete with brands like Life Fitness or Cybex. So, you can still own both, but when it comes to hardcore gyms, utilizing Rogue Fitness for bars and racks will be a great idea. They have very robust and innovative barbells and racks
The barbell offers execellent grip capabilities, high tensile strength, so you do not get a bent bar after a few years, as we see in many barbells in the gym. It also has a grip-friendly coating, even with sweat, you will still have a good grip
6. Panatta
Origin: Italy (Apiro)
Founded: 1967
Speciality: Individual Leg press, Single Arm chest press machine, Power Smith machine, Super Lat pulldown machine
Panatta has been around for a long time, but it was only recently that they developed the biomechanics, and it evolved more than most of the large and leading brands. Also, they have partnered with Phil Heath, Hany Rambod, and many Mr. Olympia Athelets which gave them even more recognition
