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When choosing the right school gym equipment many factors need to be considered. The size of the space, layout of the room, and available budget to spend on new gym equipment. Deciding what to include can prove to be a challenging decision.
The fitness industry is constantly evolving, which means that new equipment options are always coming to the market. It can be difficult to pick the right equipment without a bit of help to sift through the noise. Over the last 16 years, we've been fortunate to help many different schools make that process easier.
In today's blog, we aim to share our expertise in selecting the best gym equipment for a school gym based on our experience working on major projects such as Mackie Academy, Westfield Academy, and Dollar Academy.
Free Weights
Starting with free weights, they form the basis of any good school gym. Available in a wide array of weights and equipment types, it makes them suitable for a range of students from new starts with no experience to more senior older leavers.
Offering a variety of dumbbells, barbells, and weight plates is essential for any school gym. Let's dive into our favourite pieces of equipment to use when setting up a school gym:
Dumbbells
If we could choose one option to kit out any gym we would go with our UD3s. They are our most durable option available in a wide range of weights, highly durable, and won't roll away when students leave them on the floor!
They're essential for training and are a suitable starting point for helping students learn basic movements like curling, squatting, and benching. If budgets are tighter then our RD3s or hex dumbbells are another suitable option.
Kettlebells
Next, having a few kettlebells will make the gym appeal to more students. These handheld weights are suited to circuit-style classes and can be incorporated into more functional training styles.
Elite athletes at the school might use kettlebells for sport-specific movements, but anyone can learn to use them as a starting point in the gym. Our go-to choices would have to be the Origin Rubber Kettlebell and Cast Iron Kettlebells.
Barbells
No school gym would be complete without a mixture of Olympic and fixed barbells. We always include fixed and utility options as they come in lighter weights than Olympic barbells. This is great for helping students learn basic weightlifting movements before using a heavier barbell.
Consider adding utility barbells like the 10kg Technique Barbell or EZ Curl Bar. These lighter options allow everyone to get involved in training making the space more appealing to a wider number of students.
Weight Plates
It goes without saying after picking which barbells to include, the next step is finding a good set of weight plates. Choosing the right weight plates is dependent on what the focus of the gym is going to be.
If athlete development relating to sports is a big focus, it will be worth investing in a few sets of quality Urethane or Competition Bumper Plates. These are designed to meet competition weightlifting specs and can be found in elite facilities.
Alternatively, if the space is going to be used as a more general gym then our rubber Olympic or crumb rubber style plates will be a good fit. These are durable weight plates that will withstand whatever students want to throw, drop, or bump them into.
Free Weight Storage
Building in the right amount of storage is a fine art. We know that most schools only have a set amount of space available for equipment meaning each square foot of space needs to be maximised.
Free weight storage is essential in any gym, but especially when dealing with students. Correct storage will ensure the space stays organised and reduce the likelihood of students getting injured.
Most school gyms will need dedicated dumbbell racks and kettlebell racks to keep gym equipment securely stored but if a more customisable option is required we also have our Elite Storage Rigs.
Strength Equipment
If free weights are the starting point, strength equipment is the highlight. High-quality strength equipment is really how school gyms separate themselves. It's one of the widest product ranges we stock which gives us a lot of freedom in tailoring it to suit a school's needs.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to building out a strength training zone. Modern strength equipment is fairly modular these days which is great for customisation and getting creative in gyms with limited spaces.
We find students love this equipment as it's perfect for helping them learn. Essential items we tend to include are some form of modular rig, weight benches, and at least a few strength machines.
Rigs
Before building out the rest of the facility, the starting point is choosing the right type of rig base. We use rigs in our projects as they suit school gyms best due to a wide attachment range and the ability to be easily expanded or adapted.
Our Performance Series POD Systems are one of the best options giving schools the versatility they need from their gym equipment. It also allows multiple students to train together at the same time in classes. Working together with you the customisation options are almost endless.
One of the best aspects of a rig is that they are modular. This means the base option can be customised into almost any configuration. Our team of in-house gym design experts come in handy here as they work with schools throughout the project to ensure the rig is built to suit their needs. If you can see it, we can create it.
What to Include
Rigs are a bit different to other equipment on this list. Factors that will need to be considered include gym flooring, lifting platforms, modular base design, functional attachments, and storage options.
When designing what will work we recommend choosing the right lifting platform before moving on to the rest of the equipment. Half Racks will be your best friend in this setup, and having multiple racks is ideal if there are bigger class sizes.
If space is a problem we do have folding racks which are a great alternative. Once these main sections are chosen it's time to pick the right attachments and storage options to kit out the rest of the rig.
Weight Benches
While large commercial facilities may require a range of unique and specialist benches to suit their members we advise school gyms to keep it simple here. Stocking up on multiple multi-adjustable weight benches, flat benches, and a chin dip machine will suit the widest range of users/needs.
If space is available and you wish to expand upon this section it could be worth adding in pieces such as the Multi Adjustable Olympic Bench, an Ab Bench, or even specialist equipment like a Sissy Squat Machine.
Strength Machines
Larger individual resistance pieces are also a great idea as they can be a safer alternative to free weights in some instances. Plate-loaded or fixed resistance machines are great for helping students learn how to train safely or work on certain muscle groups.
Impulses IF93 range has a great mix of equipment types, including dual-function machines which can help double up on equipment choices helping to make the most of budgets. Don't forget about cable machines such as a DAP which are well suited to multiple training types.
Cardio Machines
Well-rounded gyms also include a range of cardio machines for students to get active on. We find most schools don't need fancy equipment ranges to meet student needs which is why sticking with traditional treadmills, exercise bikes, and elliptical machines tends to work best.
That's not to rule out adding in new equipment like Air Bikes, SkiErgs or Rowing Machines. If it will make cardio more exciting for students or is what a school wants then there's nothing stopping adding in a few of each if the space permits it.
Fitness Equipment
Building a school gym doesn't need to be all about heavy-duty equipment. We are trying to create a fun environment for students at the same time. Having a mixture of functional training equipment is a great way to add variety to the space.
Functional equipment such as Plyo Boxes aren't just fun to use, they're great for sport-specific movements helping students build explosive power and agility which is needed for many sports teams and athletic endeavours.
We also like to add in a variety of conditioning equipment like sandbags, medicine balls, and skipping ropes which are great for circuit-style training. Speed and agility equipment like hurdles, ladders and sleds can be great for obstacle courses or circuit training once again.
Gym Flooring
While it probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when creating a school gym, the type of gym flooring can make all the difference in the space. Most school gyms we've worked on have a mixture of 20mm and 40mm gym flooring tiles with additional lifting platforms if they have specific lifting points in the gym.
If schools are looking for a more functional training setup we could always look to add in a sprint track to go alongside some of the functional equipment like Prowler Sleds or the Tank M4. These can be a fun choice for races with the kids during PE classes or a real asset for serious training.
Conclusion
With all of this information in mind, we hope it gives a better understanding of just how much gym equipment can work in modern school gyms. P.E. no longer has to be a dreaded class for students, it can take on a fun approach with modern gym equipment.
If you require a bit more help or simply have a question about a school gym then please get in touch with us on 0131 526 3770 or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, fill in the form below and a member of our friendly team will be in touch soon.
