Home Gym Business Thrives in Pandemic

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, one industry has actually thrived — the home fitness business. In fact, Phil Ferdinand, manager of Johnson Fitness & Wellness in Pasadena, said business is so good that he finds himself lying awake nights, wondering if he has enough treadmills. 

With so many former gym patrons and members in no hurry to return to their former workout facilities, home equipment sales are surging. Ferdinand said people should approach buying a home gym much as they would buying a used car: you can pay as little as $2,000, or as much as $14,000, but first you need to make sure you have enough space for it. You also need to get a warranty. 

These days, self-contained home gyms can do everything that the equipment in a commercial gym does. Home gyms, through a combination of modular construction and clever design, will allow the buyer to work their arms, shoulders, chest, and stomach muscles with just one unit. Add an extension or two and you can exercise your legs and thighs as well. 

The appeal of working out at home is wide-ranging, Ferdinand said. 

“We get young people, adults, and seniors, as well as active and returning athletes,” he said. “Everyone wants to keep in shape.” 

For most people, anything having to do with weight training is popular.

“Things like free weights, dumbbells, medicine balls, these are all popular,” he explained. Along with those, Ferdinand said seated ellipticals, essentially computerized workout bikes, can give you a programmed, all-encompassing workout in just 10 minutes. 

If you’re planning a new home gym, Ferdinand reminds would-be equipment owners to allow for enough space in their bedrooms, spare rooms, or garages. There should be at least eight feet of space around whatever equipment you are installing. 

Also, Ferdinand said your gym space needs to be strong enough to support your equipment’s weight and have convenient access to enough electrical power for treadmills and ellipticals.

Your new improved look might be waiting for you just down the street, but you also might find it right in your own home.