Professional cardio machines for clubs

What the specification should contain

Treadmills are specified by continuous duty motor rating, typically 4 to 7 hp on commercial frames, by belt width and length, and by the cushioning system. Bikes are specified by resistance type, flywheel mass and whether the console shows power in watts, which matters for coached sessions and testing. Cross trainers are specified by stride length, up to around 60 cm on the larger frames, and by the smoothness of the drive under load. Rowers are available in air, water and magnetic resistance, each with a different feel and noise profile. Consoles range from simple LED readouts to connected touchscreens, and connectivity should be checked against the club management system before ordering.

How to compare machines on cost of ownership

Purchase price is one line of four. The others are consumables, service response and the length of time spare parts remain available.

Compliance and site requirements

EN ISO 20957-1 (successor to the former EN 957) defines classes of stationary training equipment according to intended use, and the class should appear on the documentation supplied with the invoice. That is what allows a facility to pass venue inspections and to satisfy public procurement specifications without further correspondence. On site, powered machines need dedicated socket outlets planned before delivery, and the load on each circuit should be checked against the number of treadmills fitted. Rubber gym flooring tiles under cardio reduce vibration transmission to floors below.

Frequently asked questions

What motor rating is needed for a commercial treadmill?

Continuous duty rating is the figure that matters, not peak output. Commercial specifications generally sit between 4 and 7 hp continuous depending on expected running hours and user weight range. A machine quoted only in peak horsepower is usually not built for continuous commercial duty.

Air, water or magnetic rower?

Air rowers self regulate with effort and are the reference in CrossFit and Hyrox competition, at the cost of noise. Water rowers give a smoother catch and a quieter, more natural feel, which suits hotels and boutique studios. Magnetic rowers are the quietest and the most compact but do not reproduce competition conditions.

How long should spare parts remain available?

Ten years of spare part availability is a reasonable requirement on a commercial cardio purchase, because the machines routinely outlast that in service. Ask for the commitment in writing at quotation stage, together with the identity of the service network covering your site. A brand with no service presence in your country is a risk regardless of the specification.

Send us your attendance figures, available area and electrical provision, and we will return a cardio specification with a layout drawing and prices. Request a quotation for a reply within 24 working hours.