A boutique fitness studio needs space-efficient, versatile equipment that supports high-intensity group classes and personal training. Essential pieces include functional trainers, spin bikes, a compact strength circuit, dumbbells, kettlebells, and rubber flooring. Budget $40,000–$100,000. The VERVE Tori Wall Mounted Functional Trainer ($2,299) and Volt Commercial Spin Bike ($3,299) are ideal for space-constrained studios — delivering commercial performance in a compact footprint.
This guide is written by the team at VERVE Fitness, Australia’s leading commercial gym equipment manufacturer. We design, engineer, and supply equipment to hundreds of boutique studios across the country. Below you will find equipment recommendations by studio type, our top space-efficient picks, three sample fitout packages at different budget levels, and answers to the most common questions we hear from studio owners.
A boutique fitness studio is not a scaled-down commercial gym. The equipment requirements are fundamentally different. Boutique studios typically operate in 80 to 250 square metres — a fraction of a full-size gym — and run group classes of 8 to 20 members. Every piece of equipment needs to earn its floor space.
The three non-negotiable criteria for boutique studio equipment:
HIIT studios demand equipment that supports fast transitions between exercises, accommodates multiple members simultaneously, and withstands being slammed, dropped, and pushed hard every session. Floor space flexibility is critical — you need room to move between stations.
Spin studios have the most predictable equipment list of any boutique format. The bike is everything — but the quality of that bike determines your member experience, retention, and maintenance burden.
Boutique strength studios need to deliver a serious lifting experience in a compact space. The key is choosing multi-function stations over single-purpose machines, and investing in quality cable systems that provide the exercise variety your programming requires.
Yoga and Pilates studios operate on the opposite end of the equipment spectrum — minimal hardware, maximum floor space. The challenge is adding enough equipment to support strength and conditioning programming without cluttering the studio.
For studio owners who are short on square metres, these are the pieces that deliver the most training value per unit of floor space.
| Equipment | Footprint | Exercises | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERVE Tori Wall Mounted FT | Flush to wall (0 m² when stowed) | 50+ | $2,299 |
| VERVE Tori Free Standing FT | ~0.8 m² | 50+ | $2,299 |
| VERVE Tori Functional Trainer Rack | ~2.5 m² (replaces 3 machines) | 80+ | $4,999 |
| VERVE Volt Commercial Spin Bike | ~1.2 m² | Cycle-specific | $3,299 |
| Vertical dumbbell rack (compact) | ~0.4 m² | 30+ (per pair) | Varies |
| Wall-mounted kettlebell shelf | 0 m² (wall space only) | 20+ (per KB) | Varies |
| Folding adjustable bench | ~0.3 m² (when folded) | 15+ | Varies |
The pattern is clear: wall-mounted and multi-function equipment delivers the highest exercise-to-footprint ratio. A single Tori Wall Mounted Functional Trainer replaces a cable crossover, a lat pulldown station, and a cable row — while taking up zero floor space when not in use.
These packages are based on real fitouts we have supplied to boutique studios across Australia. Prices are equipment only — they do not include construction, fitout, technology, or ongoing costs.
Best for: HIIT / functional studios, 80–120 m², 8–12 members per class.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tori Wall Mounted Functional Trainer | 3 | $2,299 | $6,897 |
| Kettlebells (8–32 kg set) | 1 set | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Dumbbells (2.5–25 kg) + rack | 1 set | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Adjustable benches | 4 | $800 | $3,200 |
| Plyo boxes, slam balls, battle ropes | 1 set | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Rubber flooring (100 m² x 20 mm) | 100 m² | $45/m² | $4,500 |
| Accessories (bands, mats, storage) | 1 lot | $3,900 | $3,900 |
| Estimated Total (incl. delivery & install) | ~$40,000 | ||
Best for: Mixed-use studios (HIIT + strength), 120–180 m², 12–18 members per class.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tori Functional Trainer Rack | 2 | $4,999 | $9,998 |
| Tori Wall Mounted Functional Trainer | 3 | $2,299 | $6,897 |
| Kettlebells (8–32 kg set) | 1 set | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Dumbbells (2.5–35 kg) + rack | 1 set | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Adjustable benches | 6 | $800 | $4,800 |
| Makoto strength machines (3-piece circuit) | 3 | $4,000 | $12,000 |
| Plyo boxes, slam balls, battle ropes, TRX | 1 set | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Barbells (2x 20 kg) + bumper plates (200 kg) | 1 set | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Rubber flooring (150 m² x 20 mm) | 150 m² | $45/m² | $6,750 |
| Accessories, storage, delivery & install | 1 lot | $5,555 | $5,555 |
| Estimated Total | ~$70,000 | ||
Best for: Full-service boutique studios (spin + strength + functional), 180–250 m², 15–25 members per class.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volt Commercial Spin Bikes | 15 | $3,299 | $49,485 |
| Tori Functional Trainer Rack | 1 | $4,999 | $4,999 |
| Tori Free Standing Functional Trainer | 2 | $2,299 | $4,598 |
| Dumbbells (2.5–40 kg) + rack | 1 set | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Kettlebells (8–32 kg set) | 1 set | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Adjustable benches | 6 | $800 | $4,800 |
| Makoto strength machines (3-piece circuit) | 3 | $4,000 | $12,000 |
| Rubber flooring (200 m² x 20 mm) | 200 m² | $45/m² | $9,000 |
| Accessories, storage, delivery & install | 1 lot | $3,118 | $3,118 |
| Estimated Total | ~$100,000 | ||
Before buying anything, answer these four questions:
Once your studio is equipped, tracking maintenance, utilisation, and replacement timelines becomes critical. VERVE Pulse is the only gym management software in Australia with built-in equipment tracking — because it is built by the same team that manufactures the equipment.
A boutique fitness studio fitout typically costs between $40,000 and $100,000 for equipment, depending on the studio type and class size. A minimal HIIT or functional studio with bodyweight focus can be equipped for around $40,000. A mid-range studio with a mix of cardio, strength, and functional equipment runs approximately $70,000. A premium studio with commercial spin bikes, functional trainers, and a full dumbbell set sits closer to $100,000. These figures exclude flooring construction, fit-out costs, and technology.
Essential equipment for a boutique gym includes functional trainers (wall-mounted or freestanding), commercial spin bikes, a compact strength circuit, dumbbells (ranging from 2.5 kg to 30 kg), kettlebells (8 kg to 32 kg), rubber flooring, adjustable benches, and storage solutions. The exact mix depends on your studio type — HIIT studios prioritise functional training gear, spin studios need commercial bikes, and strength studios require plate-loaded machines and cable stations.
The VERVE Tori Wall Mounted Functional Trainer ($2,299) is ideal for small studios because it mounts directly to the wall, eliminating the floor footprint of a traditional cable station. It delivers full commercial-grade cable resistance in a unit that sits flush against the wall when not in use. For studios with more floor space, the Tori Free Standing Functional Trainer ($2,299) offers the same performance with no wall-mounting required.
Most boutique fitness studios operate in 80 to 250 square metres. A small group training studio (8 to 12 members per class) works well in 80 to 120 square metres. A mid-sized studio supporting 15 to 20 members per class typically needs 150 to 200 square metres. Allow 4 to 6 square metres per member for functional and HIIT classes, and 2 to 3 square metres per bike for spin studios. Always factor in reception, storage, and bathroom space beyond the training floor.
For most boutique studios, buying equipment outright is more cost-effective over a 5-year period. Leasing reduces upfront capital requirements but typically costs 20 to 40 per cent more over the equipment’s lifetime due to interest and fees. Buying also gives you the flexibility to sell or upgrade individual pieces. If cash flow is tight at launch, a hybrid approach works well — buy core pieces like dumbbells, kettlebells, and flooring outright, and finance larger items like spin bikes or functional trainers.
Rubber flooring tiles (15 mm to 20 mm thick) are the standard for boutique gyms. They absorb impact from dropped weights, reduce noise, protect the subfloor, and are easy to clean. For HIIT and functional training areas, 20 mm tiles provide adequate protection. Spin studios can use thinner 15 mm tiles since bikes are stationary. Avoid interlocking foam tiles in commercial settings — they compress quickly and separate under heavy use. Budget $30 to $60 per square metre for quality commercial rubber flooring.
VERVE Fitness supplies the equipment. VERVE Pulse manages it. One team, from fitout to daily operations — scheduling, payments, member management, and equipment tracking in a single platform.
The best equipment for a boutique fitness studio is not the most expensive — it is the most space-efficient, versatile, and durable gear that matches your programming and class format. Wall-mounted functional trainers, quality spin bikes, and a well-chosen dumbbell and kettlebell collection will serve 90 per cent of boutique studio programming needs.
Start with the essentials, invest in commercial-grade quality from day one, and scale your equipment as your membership grows. The sample packages above give you a realistic budget framework from $40,000 to $100,000. For a custom fitout quote tailored to your studio, contact VERVE Fitness — and when you are ready to manage that studio, VERVE Pulse handles the rest.