Major gym chains typically use premium commercial equipment from Life Fitness, Technogym, Precor, and Hammer Strength — often through bulk corporate contracts at 30–50% below retail. Anytime Fitness clubs commonly use Life Fitness and Matrix. Planet Fitness uses a mix of Life Fitness and their custom Planet Fitness branded equipment. F45 studios use specialty functional equipment. Independent gyms can achieve the same quality floor with brands like VERVE Fitness at a fraction of the chain contract price.
We are VERVE Fitness — we manufacture and supply commercial gym equipment and have fitted out 16,000+ gyms across Australia. We compete with the same brands that chain gyms use. In this guide, we break down exactly what equipment each major chain uses, what the standard commercial gym floor looks like, and how independent gym owners can replicate (or beat) the chain gym experience without the chain gym price tag.
Every major gym chain has preferred equipment suppliers. Some are locked into corporate contracts. Others give franchise owners some flexibility. Here is what each chain actually has on their floor.
Primary Equipment Brands: Life Fitness, Matrix
Anytime Fitness is the world’s largest gym franchise with over 5,000 locations globally. Most clubs run Life Fitness cardio (Integrity Series treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes) paired with Matrix strength equipment. Because Anytime Fitness operates on a franchise model, individual owners have some flexibility in equipment choices — so you will occasionally find local or regional suppliers in some locations, particularly in Australia and Southeast Asia. The typical Anytime Fitness floor is compact (300–600 sqm) with a strong cardio section, a circuit of 10–12 pin-loaded machines, a functional training area, and a small free weight zone.
Primary Equipment Brands: Life Fitness, custom-branded Planet Fitness equipment
Planet Fitness is the largest gym chain in the United States with over 2,500 locations. They use a distinctive mix of Life Fitness cardio equipment and custom-branded purple-and-yellow strength machines manufactured specifically for the chain. Their “Judgement Free Zone” concept includes specialised circuit training equipment (the “30-Minute Express Circuit”) designed for beginner-friendly, low-intimidation workouts. Planet Fitness floors are heavily cardio-weighted — a typical location has 50–80 cardio machines, far more than most independent gyms. Their strength section focuses on machines over free weights, with limited barbell stations.
Primary Equipment Brands: Specialty functional equipment, Concept2 rowers, assault bikes, bodyweight stations
F45 takes a completely different approach to equipment. As a functional training franchise, F45 studios do not have traditional cardio or pin-loaded strength machines. Instead, they use a rotating selection of functional equipment: Concept2 rowers, assault/air bikes, kettlebells, medicine balls, battle ropes, plyometric boxes, TRX suspension trainers, and bodyweight stations. Equipment is arranged in circuit stations and changes daily based on the programmed workout. The F45 model is equipment-light compared to a traditional gym — a typical studio fits into 150–300 sqm with minimal capital equipment investment.
Primary Equipment Brands: Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Rogue Fitness
Gold’s Gym is synonymous with serious strength training. Their equipment mix reflects that heritage: Hammer Strength plate-loaded machines dominate the strength floor, complemented by Life Fitness cardio and Rogue Fitness equipment in the functional training area. Gold’s Gym locations tend to have the deepest free weight sections of any chain — extensive dumbbell ranges (up to 70 kg+), multiple squat racks, deadlift platforms, and a wide selection of Olympic barbells and plates. If you are building a gym that caters to serious lifters, Gold’s Gym is the chain floor to study.
Primary Equipment Brands: Matrix, Life Fitness
Snap Fitness operates a similar model to Anytime Fitness — compact, 24/7 franchise gyms. Their preferred equipment suppliers are Matrix (for both cardio and strength) and Life Fitness. Snap Fitness clubs are typically 250–500 sqm with a balanced mix of cardio, pin-loaded strength, a functional area, and free weights. The equipment quality is solid commercial-grade, though the range is smaller than what you would find in a large-format Gold’s Gym or Goodlife club.
Primary Equipment Brands: Life Fitness, Technogym (premium clubs)
Goodlife is Australia’s largest gym chain. Their standard clubs run Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment across the board. Premium Goodlife locations — particularly their Platinum clubs — feature Technogym equipment as a differentiator. Goodlife clubs are large-format (800–2,000+ sqm) with extensive cardio floors (30–60 machines), full pin-loaded strength circuits, dedicated group fitness studios, and comprehensive free weight areas. Their equipment investment per club is significantly higher than compact franchise models like Anytime Fitness or Snap Fitness.
Primary Equipment Brands: Mix of brands including VERVE Fitness
Plus Fitness is an Australian franchise chain with over 200 locations. Unlike the larger international chains, Plus Fitness gives franchise owners more flexibility in equipment sourcing. This means you will find a mix of brands across different locations, including VERVE Fitness, Matrix, and various local commercial equipment suppliers. Plus Fitness clubs are compact 24/7 gyms (similar in size to Anytime Fitness) with a practical, no-frills equipment layout.
Gym chains have three main equipment advantages over independent operators:
Here is the good news for independent gym owners: you can replicate every one of these advantages.
On pricing: You do not need a 500-unit order to get competitive pricing. Commercial equipment suppliers like VERVE Fitness offer commercial-grade equipment at prices that are already 30–50% below what chains pay for brands like Life Fitness and Technogym. The price gap that chains exploit through bulk buying, VERVE closes through more efficient manufacturing and direct-to-gym distribution.
On floor plans: The standard chain gym floor plan is not proprietary knowledge. We break it down in the next section so you can build the same layout.
On replacement cycles: Budget 10–15% of your equipment value per year for maintenance and eventual replacement. If you buy quality commercial equipment from the start, you can stretch replacement to 7–10 years rather than 5.
Despite their differences in branding and target market, every major gym chain has the same core equipment categories on their floor. If you are building an independent gym, this is your blueprint.
Here is a complete equipment list that replicates the standard chain gym floor using VERVE Fitness products. This is what an Anytime Fitness or Snap Fitness location would look like — same categories, same quality, half the price.
| Equipment | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuro Commercial Treadmill | 5 | $6,999 | $34,995 |
| Kuro Commercial Elliptical | 2 | $9,999 | $19,998 |
| Kuro Upright Bike | 2 | $2,899 | $5,798 |
| Kuro Stair Climber | 1 | $9,999 | $9,999 |
| Cardio Subtotal | 10 | $70,790 |
| Equipment | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makoto Chest Press | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Lat Pulldown | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Seated Row | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Shoulder Press | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Leg Press | 1 | $5,499 | $5,499 |
| Makoto Leg Extension | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Leg Curl | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Pec Fly / Rear Delt | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Abdominal Crunch | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Makoto Assisted Chin/Dip | 1 | $4,599 | $4,599 |
| Strength Subtotal | 10 | $46,890 |
| Equipment | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tori Functional Trainer Rack | 1 | $4,999 | $4,999 |
| Tori Freestanding Functional Trainer | 2 | $2,299 | $4,598 |
| Satori Power Rack | 3 | $1,099 | $3,297 |
| Functional & Racks Subtotal | 6 | $12,894 |
| Equipment | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volt Commercial Spin Bike | 20 | $3,299 | $65,980 |
| Spin Studio Subtotal | 20 | $65,980 |
| Floor | VERVE Fitness | Chain Contract (Life Fitness / Matrix) |
|---|---|---|
| Cardio (10 machines) | $70,790 | $120,000–$180,000 |
| Pin-Loaded Strength (10 machines) | $46,890 | $80,000–$140,000 |
| Functional & Power Racks (6 stations) | $12,894 | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Spin Studio (20 bikes) | $65,980 | $80,000–$120,000 |
| Total (with spin studio) | $196,554 | $305,000–$485,000 |
| Total (without spin studio) | $130,574 | $225,000–$365,000 |
Get a free equipment quote and complimentary gym layout design from VERVE Fitness. We have fitted out 16,000+ gyms across Australia and can help you build a chain-quality floor at an independent gym price.
Get a Free Equipment QuoteAnytime Fitness clubs primarily use Life Fitness and Matrix commercial equipment. Individual franchise owners have some flexibility in equipment selection, so you will also find local suppliers in some locations. The typical Anytime Fitness floor includes Life Fitness Integrity cardio, Matrix strength machines, and a functional training area. Independent gyms can replicate the same floor quality with VERVE Fitness equipment at significantly lower cost.
Planet Fitness uses a mix of Life Fitness cardio equipment and custom-branded purple-and-yellow strength machines manufactured specifically for the chain. Many locations also feature their proprietary “30-Minute Express Circuit” equipment. Planet Fitness floors are heavily cardio-weighted, with 50–80 cardio machines per location and limited free weight stations.
Yes. Independent gyms can absolutely match — and often exceed — chain gym equipment quality. Chains use commercial-grade equipment from brands like Life Fitness and Matrix. Independent gyms can source equivalent commercial-grade equipment from brands like VERVE Fitness at 30–50% less than chain contract pricing. The equipment quality is comparable — what differs is the bulk buying discount, which VERVE offsets through direct-to-gym distribution and efficient manufacturing.
A typical chain gym franchise spends $200,000–$500,000 on initial equipment fitout. Large-format clubs (like Goodlife or Gold’s Gym) can spend $500,000–$1,000,000+. These costs are offset by bulk corporate contracts that offer 30–50% below retail pricing. An independent gym can build a comparable floor for $80,000–$200,000 by choosing competitive commercial suppliers like VERVE Fitness.
Most gym chains use a mix of both. Large chains like Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness typically negotiate corporate purchase agreements with 3–5 year replacement cycles. Some franchise operators lease equipment through finance providers to reduce upfront capital requirements. Leasing costs more over the life of the equipment but preserves cash flow for new franchise owners. For independent gyms, purchasing outright is usually the best financial decision if you have the capital.
Life Fitness is the most common gym equipment brand in commercial gyms worldwide. Their Integrity cardio series and Signature strength series are found in more chain gyms than any other brand. In Australia, VERVE Fitness is one of the most popular choices for independent commercial gyms, with over 16,000 installations. Technogym dominates the premium and luxury segment globally.