At Specialty Fitness Equipment, we ask a series of comprehensive questions in order to help you make well informed purchases that are customized to your clientele, business, goals and budget.
Whether you buy from us, or not, use our years of expertise and knowledge to help guide your fitness equipment decision. Call one of our specialists today!
Chuck Herman has over 25 years of commercial and specialty fitness equipment experience. Chuck’s hands on, consultative approach and attention to detail allow him to service a full spectrum of needs for all commercial applications. Chuck earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from The Ohio State University and his MBA from Cleveland State University. Chuck’s enthusiasm for his business is unmistakable and he is always willing to talk about his favorite hobbies, his kids, baseball and practicing what he preaches: fitness.
Sean brings a wealth of knowledge to our team as a former Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach with a strong background in biomechanics, fitness and wellness. Passionate about personal training, Sean has worked with clients ranging from 5 to 90 years old in private sports performance gyms, corporate fitness amenities and collegiate weight rooms. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. While Sean was a Graduate Assistant at MSU he worked with the football, hockey, wrestling and golf programs. He was even presented a Big 10 Championship ring for his time training the Women’s Golf team.
Kyle joins our team with a strong passion for health, wellness, and fitness. He holds a BS in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Strength and Conditioning from West Virginia University, giving him a solid foundation to work with both developers and residential clients. Kyle’s business expertise and fitness knowledge allow him to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each project. Known for his contagious energy and sharp attention to detail, Kyle consistently inspires those around him and ensures every project is executed flawlessly. Outside of work, he enjoys lifting, running, fishing, and camping, which fuels his commitment to promoting health and well-being in every space he works on.
Tova is a small, but mighty, former long distance runner who has a passion for the fitness industry. She is in charge of the SFE intern program and assists in the office on a part time basis fetching items as needed. Tova is also highly efficient at "sit" and "high five", but not email. In her spare time Tova enjoys all things outdoors, but especially swimming during the summer and sledding in the winter.
Jerry is a warm, funny spirit and we are thrilled to have him as our newest intern. He is involved in all aspects of the Specialty Fitness Equipment business like sniffing out new leads for our commercial sales team, notifying the team of shipments in the warehouse and making clients feel welcome in the showroom. In his spare time Jerry enjoys eating socks, car rides and watching Grateful Dead concerts on YouTube.
Consider rejuvenating your space by trading in one or a few old, tired pieces of equipment for a new state-of-the art commercial piece of cardio or strength equipment. Subtle changes in your equipment offerings break up the “monotony” and keep your clients feeling refreshed. We promise you, your members will thank you!
It is important to design a fitness amenity based on it’s users. Student Housing facilities are much different than Senior Living and County Clubs are much different than Fire Stations fitness rooms. Let us help you design your space towards your population.
Make sure you have commercial equipment in a commercial fitness amenity. If a fitness room has home grade fitness equipment and a user gets injured, the facility is responsible for improper equipment placed in an inappropriate setting.
Fitness equipment is broken down into a few categories: Full commercial, light commercial, specialty home fitness and sporting good fitness. Ask us which one best suits your needs.
Several fitness companies are selling you on their programming. Every month today’s technology outdates itself. Look for quality manufactures with machines that fit your fitness needs. The classes available in cyberspace nowadays are endless, don’t limit yourself to just one virtual fitness company.
Fitness equipment often looks smaller in a spacious showroom than it does in a home or facility. Measure your dedicated space’s length, width, and ceiling height. Don't forget to account for "clearance space" around the machine for safe mounting, dismounting, and full range of motion.
Whenever possible, try the equipment in person. Wear your workout gear and spend 5 to 10 minutes testing it. Pay attention to how it feels—is the stride smooth? Is the seat comfortable? Are the controls intuitive? Specialty equipment is a premium investment, and it should feel like one.
High-quality specialty fitness equipment is engineered to mimic natural human movement, which reduces joint stress and prevents injury. Look for adjustable components (like seats, handlebars, and footpads) that allow the machine to be tailored specifically to your body frame.
While budget is important, the cheapest option can often cost more in the long run due to repairs or early replacement. Consider construction quality, frame stability, and component materials. Commercial-grade or high-end residential specialty equipment holds its value and stands up to daily use.
A manufacturer’s warranty is a strong indicator of equipment lifespan. Look for robust warranties covering the frame, parts, and labor. Additionally, ensure you are buying from a provider like Specialty Fitness Equipment that offers professional delivery, white glove installation, and ongoing local service support.
Some heavy-duty treadmills and specialty cardio units require dedicated electrical circuits or specific voltage types (e.g., a 20-amp outlet instead of a standard 15-amp household outlet). Confirm your space can safely support the machine's power needs before delivery.
Decide if you want high-tech consoles with touchscreen displays, built-in workout apps, and streaming capabilities, or if you prefer a simpler, plug-and-play console. Remember that advanced tech often requires a monthly subscription fee to access premium features—factoring this into your budget is key.
Choose equipment that can grow with your fitness level. For strength equipment, ensure there is room to safely add weight. For cardio, look for adequate top speeds, incline levels, or resistance ranges so you don't outgrow the machine's capabilities as you get fitter.
Avoid big-box department stores where staff may lack specific fitness expertise. Working with dedicated Specialty Fitness Equipment consultants ensures you get tailored advice, access to premium brands, proper delivery, white glove installation, and a reliable partner for any future servicing needs.
High quality fitness equipment is a major part of creating a successful fitness center, but it’s only one piece of the experience. Consider unique lighting, paint selections, wallpaper, flooring, artwork, and décor elements to create a space that stands apart from the competition. These design details allow you to personalize the environment and establish the specific atmosphere, energy, and brand identity you want residents or members to experience.
When considering an upgrade or refresh to your fitness facility, it’s important to gather input from the people who use the space most frequently, as well as those who currently don’t. Employees, members, and residents often have valuable insight into what would make the facility more appealing, whether it’s a “I wish we had this here” feature or a “I’d cancel my gym membership if our facility offered this” piece of equipment or amenity.