The right personal trainer equipment can make a huge difference in your clients’ fitness experience. Most training styles require some type of equipment, gear, or tool, but it can be overwhelming trying to remember everything you need to get going. We hear you, boss – and we’re here to make it easier. This article will provide a personal trainer equipment list full of must-haves, plus what to look for when choosing your tools. 

5 Key Aspects to Look for in Personal Training Equipment

Before you buy just any old machine or gear, it’s important to fully evaluate your business needs. Here, we list a few key aspects to look for when selecting your personal trainer equipment: 

1. Safety

The equipment you invest in should be safe to use to minimize risk of client injury. Some personal trainer equipment comes with built-in safety features (like non-slip grips), but if you’re investing in machinery, make sure you’re choosing tools with high stability and weight support. 

2. Durability

Look for tools that are durable and made with quality materials, which can reduce the risk of breakage or accidents, and ensure long-term use. Cheap materials may end up costing you more in the future if the equipment needs constant servicing or replacement. 

3. Versatility

Personal trainer equipment shouldn’t be totally narrow in scope. You want tools that are flexible and versatile – equipment you can use for a number of different workouts and training types. 

4. Budget-friendly

Expensive materials don't always equate to quality. Just because a machine costs thousands of dollars doesn't mean it’s any safer or more durable than a similar machine for $200. There are plenty of highly-rated, cost-effective tools for personal trainers out there. 

When doing your research, look for any reviews or testimonials from satisfied customers, but also note any complaints or negative feedback so you can have a clear picture of what you’re buying (and not waste your money). 

5. Portability 

Mobile personal trainer equipment is necessary if you’re planning on making house calls or traveling for your fitness business. Portability makes it easy to take your show on the road and offer clients enhanced privacy and convenience. 

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22 Best Personal Training Equipment for Your Business

Ready to start gathering your fitness training must-haves? Here, we’ve curated a personal trainer equipment list to help get you started.

1. Stopwatch

While you could use your phone timer, a stopwatch is free from the distractions of the internet or incoming texts, and helps your clients feel like you’re locked-in. A stopwatch also just looks more professional, and many come with timing-specific features that can enhance your training methods. 

2. Exercise mat

An exercise mat is useful for stretching and other floor exercises. They can protect your clients’ joints, reduce bruising, and make their workouts less painful. Mats are also portable and easy to transport, making it easy to supply them to your clients if they don’t have their own. 

3. Resistance bands

Resistance bands make great tools for personal trainers, as they are affordable, portable, and versatile. They’re useful for warmups, workouts, and cooldowns, and you can often find variety packs with different levels of resistance to help cater to varying exercise needs or a range of skill levels. 

4. Jump rope 

A jump rope is an easy, inexpensive piece of cardio equipment that can warm up your clients and get the juices flowing. Jump ropes can help work every part of the body, priming your trainees for their workout and reducing their risk of injury. 

5. Dumbbells

Dumbbells are free hand weights that come in a variety of weights and sizes. They can be incorporated into a number of different workouts, whether you’re focusing on strength training, core exercises, or trying to up your clients’ cardio difficulty. 

6. Logbooks 

Whether you keep a digital record or manually write your notes down, tracking your clients’ progress can give you the necessary insight to customize the right fitness plan for their needs. It also helps prepare you for each client’s session, reminding you of what you worked on last time and what your goals for their current session should be. 

7. Cones

Marker cones are especially useful if your training involves running or sprint drills. If you run a bootcamp or HIIT program, training cones can help designate exercise circuits or provide obstacles and additional challenges to your clients. 

8. Foam roller

Foam rollers are great for stretching, cooldowns, or massaging sore spots on the body. They’re lightweight and easy to transport, so you can always provide relief to your clients before, during, or after their workouts. Foam rollers can improve flexibility, and help reduce the risk of stiffness or injury. 

9. Battle rope

Battle ropes are weighted ropes you can use for a wide range of workouts. Whether it’s circuit training, toning, or muscle building, battle ropes can work several different muscle groups at once. They’re also suitable for both one-on-one training and group workouts. 

10. Kettlebells

Similar to the dumbbell, kettlebells are weighted tools, though they differ in their shape, weight distribution, and use. While dumbbells have a central handle flanked by equal weights, a kettlebell is a spherical structure with a single handle, concentrating the weight into the center. Kettlebells are effective for swinging motions and low-impact cardio workouts. 

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11. Medicine ball

Not to be confused with exercise balls – the big bouncy ones you can stretch on – medicine balls are hard and weighted, and often used specifically for strengthening, conditioning, and toning. These tools for personal trainers can improve your clients’ flexibility and core strength, as well as provide versatility in their workout routines. 

12. Balance ball

A balance ball resembles an exercise ball that’s been cut in half. Its purpose is to challenge your clients’ balance and stability, while also engaging their core. Depending on the type you purchase, some may come with (or allow) resistance band attachments, giving you the option to increase the difficulty of your workouts. 

13. Suspension kit

Believe it or not, you don’t need the gym to supply everything you need. These days, mobile personal trainer equipment can also include suspension kits, which you can hookup to fences, doors, or other sturdy structures and let your clients use their own body resistance as a workout. 

14. Workout bench

A foldable (or collapsible) workout bench is a helpful piece of equipment that allows you to provide targeted workouts to your clients. Workout benches can provide better weight distribution, plus a more versatile surface for weight lifting and strength training. 

15. Rowing machine

Rowing machines offer several different types of exercises, such as cardio, strength training, mobility, and low-impact. They can improve clients’ stamina and endurance, while also providing enough resistance to build muscle. Some rowing machines are foldable, making them easy to store out of the way to maximize your space. 

16. Weight scale

Not every client will want to weigh themselves, but if they’ve been working hard to bulk up and pack on the muscle, you might want to keep one handy to help track their progress. 

17. Core sliders

Core sliders are small, circular discs built to fit around the hands or feet. Core sliders allow exercisers to glide and slide their limbs across the floor, using their own body weight to effectively target their core. Depending on the design, some have textured sides to work on both smooth surfaces and carpets/mats. 

18. Squat rack

Squat racks can target multiple muscle groups, provide stability, as well as a safe way for your clients to add weight to their exercises. Having a squat rack is like having a built-in spotter, which can lessen the chance for injury (and is especially helpful if your client lifts more weight than you can safely support). 

19. Massage gun

A massage gun is an electric-powered tool that can deliver therapeutic pressure to a variety of muscle groups. Massage guns should never be used directly on bones, but can alleviate soreness and prevent stiffness in your clients post-workout. 

20. Wrist straps

Like the name suggests, these straps wrap around the wrist to provide additional support to strength trainers. Wrist straps help prevent your wrists from bending while you lift weights, which can improve your grip strength and reduce the risk of damage to your joints, bones, and tendons. 

21. First aid kit

A first aid kit is a must-have for personal trainers. While you should always do what you can to prevent client injuries, accidents happen, so keeping a ready supply of bandaids, skin disinfectant, gauze, wraps, and other first aid tools can help you take care of your clients when they need it most. 

22. Trainer software

If you’d rather not keep manual logs, personal trainer software is a handy tool for booking appointments, sending reminders, and tracking client workout progress. With the right software – like GlossGenius – you can keep a digital record of all your clients’ most important details, stored in one convenient place. 

Try GlossGenius today to gain free access to our Online Booking features and start filling your calendar!

Scale Your Personal Training Business With GlossGenius

The right personal trainer equipment can not only increase your workout offerings, but improve and enhance the quality of your training efforts. Having safe, versatile, and durable equipment can provide your clients with plenty of exercise options, which can help you keep your sessions fresh and fun. 

GlossGenius is the ultimate partner for fitness trainers, offering a range of features to help you manage and scale your business. Track your expenses and identify profit trends with Finances, or get insights about your clients through Reports & Analytics. GlossGenius’ Client Management tools also make it simple to keep in touch with your clients, send appointment reminders, and cut down on no-shows. 

Try GlossGenius today and get a 14-day free trial!