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Maintaining an efficient and well-organised workout environment is crucial in modern fitness spaces. Gym members are increasingly aware of the importance of a well-structured workout space, meaning focusing on optimal storage solutions is important. Finding the right storage can transform a cluttered gym floor into a streamlined fitness haven.
This blog post will help gym owners and fitness enthusiasts choose the right storage solutions for their free weights keeping their spaces tidy, safe, and inviting. We'll cover different types of storage, including dumbbell racks, kettlebell racks, and weight plate storage, and discuss important factors to consider when selecting each storage option.
Our goal is to help everyone store their free weight properly to reduce safety hazards and create an inviting gym environment. Join us as we uncover the keys to a clutter-free gym floor and secure equipment storage, making your fitness facility a benchmark for excellence.
Things to Consider When Choosing Free Weight Storage
Safety: When selecting a free-weight storage rack, ensure it securely stores the chosen free weights. Look for gym storage racks featuring rubber catchers, end plates, and secure designs that will keep equipment in place when not in use. The last thing a gym needs is to run an injury risk from loose equipment lying around the gym floor.
Protection: Gym storage should feature protective components to prevent damage to equipment and the gym floor. Look for rubber end caps on the feet that minimise damage to gym flooring and catchers that properly support equipment reducing the likelihood of scratches, marks, and dents. Minimising wear and tear is key, especially for equipment in high-use facilities.
Rack Design: It may seem simple but consider how many shelves will be required. Will two tiers be sufficient or would a 3 tier option be a better fit? It might be that a more vertical design could help save on space which would be great for dumbbells but a wall storage rack might be a better idea for barbells.
Dumbbell Racks
Essential in any gym dumbbell racks are key for keeping the gym floor tidy. They prevent dumbbells from rolling around or lying on the floor, posing an injury risk as a trip hazard. There is a solution out there for every type of dumbbell need, from 3-tier designs to hex dumbbell racks and even vertical dumbbell rack solutions.
Multiple Tier Dumbbell Racks
One of the most common dumbbell racks is the Multiple-Tier Dumbbell Rack. Designs start simple with 5 Tier 2 Pair racks but go up to 12 Pair racks. If one isn't enough, multiple racks can be placed side by side to extend the dumbbell storage available. This layout is popular in commercial gyms as it gives members plenty of space to access the dumbbells.
Multi-tier designs are great for securely storing urethane or rubber dumbbells. We recommend looking for sloping designs making it easier to lift and re-rack dumbbells. Rubber features should also be prominent to protect equipment. Look for rubber feet to protect gym flooring and rubber catchers to prevent excessive wear on dumbbell heads and handles.
Hex Dumbbell Racks
Next is the flatter design of the hex dumbbell rack. Hex dumbells are a favourite with home gyms and commercial sites alike as they are long-lasting, durable, and more cost-effective than rubber or urethane dumbbells. While the flat head means they won't roll around the gym floor if placed there, this doesn't mean you should leave them lying there.
When picking a hex dumbbell rack, key features to look for include a slanted design that makes it easier to access weights and a front lip to prevent equipment from sliding off the rack. Look for designs that can be placed side by side if additional storage is required. Modern designs should also use powder coating to reduce marks and scratches on the rack.
Vertical Dumbbell Racks
Moving onto our final design, a vertical dumbbell rack can be a lifesaver if floor space is limited. When there isn't room for another tiered rack, these come in handy to fill the gap. Another benefit is that this design can free up additional floor space allowing more equipment to be added to a site that might otherwise not have been possible.
Most vertical racks hold 10 pairs of dumbbells, normally being reserved for lighter weights up to 20kg. Models will differ across brands but look for key features like a solid steel base that will provide stability when the rack is full and rubber or plastic catcher covers to prevent damage to dumbbell handles.
Weight Plate Storage Racks
Where would we be without appropriate weight plate storage? While people not putting their plates back after using them is a bugbear of every gym user, there's nothing worse than weight plates being left lying on the gym floor. Not only does it make it difficult to access the right plate when it's needed, but it also makes the gym floor a mess.
Choosing the appropriate weight plate storage solution will lead to three main choices: the classic weight plate tree, the convenient toast rack, or the stainless steel storage peg. Each is an effective plate storage option that will keep everything organised and accessible, so deciding which one to choose is ultimately down to personal preference and available space.
Weight Plate Storage Tree
One of the best places to keep weight plates stored securely is a Weight Plate Tree. When choosing a storage tree, pick one with enough capacity to hold at least 24 weight plates. This will provide enough storage for multiples of each weight plate ranging from 1.25kg to 25kg. If compact storage is needed, then we recommend choosing a weight plate tree.
Commercial gyms find placing these in the busiest sections of the gym a great idea, as it prevents people from crowding around bench presses or rack storage pegs to access weight plates. Certain models even include barbell holders, which is ideal for keeping barbells close at hand. Finally, choose a steel model, they are more durable than plastic alternatives.
Toast Rack
Moving onto another great gym storage choice a toast rack is always a favourite for keeping weight plates stored securely. Normally found in the strength zones of most commercial gyms, they keep these spaces organised and hazard-free. Certain toast racks even have the added bonus of built-in wheels meaning they can be easily moved around the gym freely.
There are also alternative integrated toast racks out there, but these only work if a wider equipment range is being installed at a site. This is because they usually have to be placed between two compatible racks and are not moveable but the main benefit to this is that it frees up floor space.
Weight Plate Storage Pegs
These are popular in many gyms as they help to make the most of the racks in strength zones. While the weight plate tree and toast rack are great standalone choices, Stainless Steel Weight Plate Pegs offer even greater flexibility. They can be placed in numerous rack positions, are more resistant to wear, and offer better rust resistance than standard steel pegs.
Kettlebell Rack
Kettlebells are easy enough to store but when there are multiple weights available it's best to keep these stored safely on a kettlebell storage rack. Two-tier designs are the best for keeping kettlebells safely stored and easy to access for members with most being capable of accommodating cast iron, rubber, and urethane kettlebells alike
Certain designs are better than others and it's probably worth having at least two kettlebell racks placed together if you are going to have more than five pairs of kettlebells available. Look for racks which feature end handles to prevent the kettlebells from falling off either side and a front lip which will prevent them from falling off the front.
Barbell Racks
No one wants to damage their precious barbells, so having a quality barbell rack makes all the difference in keeping them in great condition. There are two main types to look for, wall racks and vertical storage. Either of these storage choices is great, with the reason for choosing one over the other coming down to what would suit the space best.
Barbell Wall Rack
The Barbell Wall Rack is a premium-looking choice for any gym, providing enough storage space for multiple different types of barbells. It protects the bearings and fixings within the barbell sleeves from premature wear and simultaneously reduces clutter on the gym floor.
This is a sleek way to store barbells and a convenient way to access equipment, making it a great choice for facilities that have the wall space to do it. Certain models may hold only a few barbells, but there are other models out there that can easily hold six or more. Larger facilities will likely find out next option more suitable.
Vertical Barbell Holder
If wall space isn't available or doesn't provide enough storage, the next best bet is a Vertical Barbell Holder. These are popular with gyms of all sizes, especially commercial sites, as they provide plenty of storage for all types of barbells. Whether it's a standard 20kg Olympic Barbell or utility Hex Trap Bar, vertical barbell holders are a utilitarian option.
Make sure the chosen holder ticks a few key spec boxes, though. Starting with a solid and stable base, this is key to ensure it doesn't tip over when different types of barbells are stored in it. Sleeve holders need to protect the barbell sleeves from damage fully. Lastly, freestanding designs are a great choice as they offer a lot of storage in a compact solution.
Fixed Barbell Storage
There are only two options for this type of gym storage and that's single-sided or double-sided racks. Picking the right one really depends on the available space as a single-sided rack would suit a smaller space as it can be placed up against a wall. Look for high-quality safety catchers to protect barbells, durable steel to prevent wear, and protective rubber feet.
Studio Barbell Storage
Our final gym storage solution is more customised. It brings together everything from earlier in this content into one useful storage rig. These custom designs are really useful for any gym running busy classes or wanting to keep all equipment secured in one place. These designs have proven really popular in The Gym Group.
This is a great idea for any gym running Hyrox, HIIT or group-style workout classes. It keeps equipment stored close by for easy access when it's needed during classes but has the bonus of making it easy to store everything when not in use. If this is something of interest, get in touch with our team to see what we could do for you.
To Sum Up...
Whether it's storage for a new set of dumbbells or an appropriate storage solution for keeping those Olympic barbells secured, there is a free weight storage solution out there for every piece of equipment. Each type of free weight has its own best options, but to summarise, here are our choices for the best storage rack in each category:
| Storage Summary | |||
| Storage Type | Dumbbell Rack | Weight Plate Rack | Kettlebell Rack |
| Type | 12 Pair 2 Tier Dumbbell Rack | Origin Weight Plate Tree | Origin 2 Tier Kettlebell Rack |
| Pros | Storage for up to six pairs of dumbbells and can be expanded further by placing additional racks side by side. | Compact storage solution for up to 24 weight plates and features two additional barbell storage slots. | Compact footprint with enough storage to comfortably hold up to ten competition kettlebells. It also features end rails and raised front lip to secure kettlebells. |
| Cons | Not many but smaller gyms might find this rack too large. | Certain weight plates might not be compatible so make sure the storage pegs are suitable for chosen weight plates. | None. |
| Storage Summary (Continued) | |||
| Storage Type | Barbell Racks | Fixed Barbell Storage | Studio Equipment Storage |
| Type | 9 Bar Vertical Barbell Rack | Double Sided Barbell Rack | Origin Gym Storage Rig |
| Pros | Freestanding design with the capacity to hold nine different types of barbells. It also features plastic holders that protect the barbell sleeves from damage. | Stylish storage for up to ten fixed barbells which is more than enough storage capacity. | Customisable storage choice that can be adapted to suit specific storage needs. |
| Cons | When all nine sleeves are full it can make accessing barbells in the middle slightly difficult. | This storage size may be too big for some sites, but the single-sided alternative may be a better option in these cases. | No set price for this type of storage option meaning it could be one of the more expensive storage options. |
Conclusion
Bringing all of this together we hope that this has been an informative and useful bit of content. If this blog hasn't covered everything you need feel free to get in touch with our team as they are more than happy to help answer any questions you might have. Call us on +44 333 2000 750 or email us at [email protected].
