If we try to answer this question from the perspective of gym equipment manufacturers, it seems like an absurd query at first instance. The reasoning will be why even home gym equipment exists if commercial gym equipment is better? But if we look at it from a neutral point of view, commercial home gym equipment is better than home gym equipment and certainly expensive too. Thus, when someone is planning to buy new fitness equipment for a home gym, the confusion of which one is better between commercial gym equipment and home gym equipment occurs.

In this post, we will look at why you should buy commercial gym equipment over home gym equipment, who should buy commercial grade gym equipment for a home gym, and what is the pre-owned certified gym equipment.

We evaluated both options on five key integrals: durability, features, value for money, variety, and premium mechanics.    

Durability

It is a simple known fact that commercial gym equipment is made of superior materials than home gym equipment. Commercial gym equipment has to bear use for 12-18 hours a day. Hundreds of people in the gym with different training needs are going to train on this equipment. Thus, they are designed to ensure they can withstand the regular wear and tear of the commercial gym.

Commercial gym equipment uses a thicker steel framework, heavier parts, and high-quality materials to ensure it can withstand heavy usage for years to come. On the other hand, residential gym equipment is designed to cater only to limited use by a few people. 

Features

Commercial gym equipment comes with a vast range of features that you will not commonly get with home gym equipment. So it is again because fitness equipment at commercial facilities has to cater to the needs of every type of user. As a result, users of all fitness levels visit the gym.

For example, if we compare a regular home gym treadmill with a commercial treadmill, commercial treadmills come with plenty of features. It comes with advanced multiple training programs, various resistance levels, advanced tracking features such as heart rate monitors, calorie burn calculator, digital display, and various other features. It is hard to find all these features in a startling-level home treadmill.    

Value for money

If we look at the price of treadmills, it starts from $300 and can reach up to $10,000. Obviously, a $300 treadmill will not compete against the $10,0000 treadmill. But if we look at the average price of a good commercial grade treadmill, you can get it easily anywhere from around $3000 to $4000.

Suppose you purchase a residential grade basic treadmill that costs $300 that usually works great for a year. However, you may have to replace it after a year or repair it depending on the use. Over the course of 10 years, you end up paying $3000 or more. On the other hand, a commercial-grade treadmill costs you $3000. It can easily last for 10 years. Undoubtedly, buying commercial-grade fitness equipment is a better value for money option than residential-grade fitness equipment. On top of a better value for money, you get gym equipment with advanced functions, a range of features, and fewer maintenance requirements. 

Variety

The major share of the gym equipment market is commercial equipment. Only a very small chunk of market share is contributed to home gym equipment. Thus, you will find a wide range of commercial fitness equipment available when it comes to designs and functions. You can easily find commercial gym equipment that caters to your needs. Whereas, when you go with residential gym equipment, you have to stick to the limited options.         

Premium mechanics

Another key aspect of commercial-grade gym equipment winning over residential-grade gym equipment is its mechanics. A lot of effort goes into designing commercial-grade gym equipment. It is a well-engineered machine that provides a comfortable and accurate workout to the targeted muscles. As a result, it is far superior to home gym equipment. 

Anyone planning to use a home gym for the next 10-15 years should consider buying commercial-grade gym equipment. It wins over residential grade gym equipment in the long term in almost all aspects. The major con you have is that you have to make a significant upfront investment. You can even address that by buying pre-owned certified gym equipment. They are available at a relatively affordable price tag, and you can even finance the purchase of your gym equipment. 

Pre-owned certified gym equipment is used gym equipment inspected by the seller. It can be sold primarily in three conditions: as is, serviced, or refurbished.

As-is pre-owned certified gym equipment is used gym equipment sold in as-is condition. It is only inspected but not repaired.

Serviced pre-owned certified gym equipment is used gym equipment which is inspected and performed basic service, maintenance, and cleaning.

A refurbished pre-owned certified gym equipment that is entirely rebuilt from new bearings, cables, and other moving parts to new accessories grips, powder coating, and aesthetic components. It is as good as new gym equipment. You get the seller’s repair warranty for the equipment for parts replacement. It is very important to buy pre-owned certified gym equipment from a reputable seller. You can discuss the financing options with the seller.