The 7 biggest mistakes when buying devices – and how to avoid them 🏋️
Are you planning to add new equipment to your studio?
Then you absolutely need to know about these mistakes – otherwise you'll be paying the price for years to come. 💸
1️⃣ Decide based solely on purchase price
💡 Why expensive: The purchase price is only part of the story. Ongoing costs such as maintenance, spare parts, energy, and downtime eat into your ROI.
✅ Here's how to avoid it: Calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5-7 years – including service, spare parts and energy.
2️⃣ Target group & concept not clearly defined
👥 Why expensive: If you buy products that don't match your membership structure, occupancy and retention will decrease.
✅ How to avoid it: Plan for beginners, rehab participants and advanced users – ideally with a balanced mix of equipment.
3️⃣ Underestimating space & safety distances
📏 Why expensive: Overcrowded setups lead to waiting times, accidents, and dissatisfaction.
✅ Here's how to avoid it: Plan for at least 90 cm of space around each device and simulate member flows during peak times.
4️⃣ Avoid burning your entire budget on an expensive brand-name machine 🔥💸
Why this mistake is so dangerous:
Many studio owners believe they absolutely must buy the most expensive brand-name machine to impress their members.
The problem:
-
A single premium brand will eat up a large portion of your budget.
-
For the same amount of money you could have bought 2-3 devices that offer more training variety .
-
Members become attached to the training experience , not the brand logo.
Especially in the start-up or growth phase, it can be fatal to invest too much money in a single "prestige purchase" .
Here's how to do it better:
-
Price-performance ratio over prestige: Pay attention to robust technology, good ergonomics and durable workmanship – regardless of the label.
-
Breadth over depth: It's better to purchase several versatile devices that cater to different target groups than a single luxury model.
-
Test instead of buying blindly: Let trainers and members try out training sessions – often the functionality is more convincing than the brand name.
-
Think long-term: Save budget for replacements, maintenance or later expansions, instead of committing everything at once.
5️⃣ Do not insure service, spare parts & warranty
🛠️ Why expensive: A device is out of service for weeks because parts are missing – and the members are annoyed.
✅ Here's how to avoid it: Secure contractual SLAs , short response times and guaranteed spare parts availability.
6️⃣ Overlooked connectivity & software features
📲 Why expensive: Without networking, you're giving away training data, bonding potential, and quick error diagnoses.
✅ How to avoid it: Use devices with remote monitoring , update options and an open interface.
7️⃣ Neglecting standards & the testing phase
📜 Why it's expensive: Lack of CE or ISO conformity increases liability risks.
✅ Here's how to avoid it: Check ISO 20957 and CE marking, start with a pilot setup and get trainer feedback.
📝 Pre-purchase checklist
-
💵 TCO invoice including service, parts & energy
-
🎯 Target group coverage (beginner – professional)
-
📐 Simulate layout & spacing
-
💰 Check residual value & exit plan
-
🛠️ Secure SLA & spare parts supply
-
📲 Connectivity & Updates
-
📜 ISO/CE & Testing Phase
📌 Conclusion
The best purchase decision is not based on the price tag, but on longevity, service & member experience .
Think long-term – and your equipment will pay off every single day. ✅