Starting your own gym is an exciting journey, but with so many moving parts, it can quickly become an overwhelming task. From choosing the right commercial gym equipment to planning for future growth and repairs, there’s a lot to consider.

This NovoFit guide is built specifically for those looking to open a small independent facility. Whether you’re turning a dream into a business or evolving from a personal training studio to something bigger, we’ll walk you through the essentials to build a successful gym that’s geared for long term growth.

1. Define Your Space and Audience

Before ordering your first piece of fitness equipment, take a step back and define your space and ideal member. Are you focusing on general population fitness, group training, strength athletes, or high-performance training?

Understanding your niche helps you choose the right layout, programming, and equipment. A boutique HYROX/group training studio will look very different from a powerlifting gym. Once you have a clear niche and direction in your head, you’re ready to start thinking about design.

2. Smart Layout and Design

Think functionality. Your layout needs to guide people through a seamless workout journey, from warm-up to cool-down. Consider:

• Zoning: Separate strength, cardio, and recovery zones.
• Flow: Avoid bottlenecks and overuse of key spaces.
• Sight lines: Keep the gym looking open, safe, and inviting.

At NovoFit, we offer custom gym design services to help you maximise every square metre, with 3D design plans that will take you inside the gym so you can truly understand how it will look and feel.

A well-planned layout isn’t just about aesthetics - it directly impacts member experience, safety, and retention, making it one of the most important foundations of your gym’s long-term success.

3. Choosing the Right Commercial Gym Equipment

Investing in high-quality commercial fitness equipment is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Durability, performance, and user experience are key, not just for first impressions, but for long-term member retention.

Here’s a breakdown of what to look for across categories:

Cardio Equipment

When selecting commercial cardio equipment, it’s important to find the right balance between performance, durability, and user experience. Woodway is a premium treadmill option trusted by both global franchises and high-usage facilities for its intuitive design, low maintenance needs, and overall durability. 

For independent gyms looking to balance functionality and budget, Star Trac offers a range of cardio lines with impressive features and rock-solid design. For spin bike options, Schwinn offers smooth, responsive indoor bikes that bring energy and reliability to the gym floor. If you’re looking to add more variety to your cardio floor, Stairmaster’s stair mills are always a crowd favourite.

Strength Equipment

Your commercial strength equipment should cater to both beginners and serious lifters, with intuitive machines that are built for serious training. Nautilus Strength machines offer incredible biomechanics and ease of use - ideal for small gyms that want to offer a premium experience without the intimidation factor. For free weight zones, ZIVA offers visually striking dumbbells, barbells, plates, rigs, and storage systems that keep your facility looking sharp and professional.

If you’re looking to create more of an elite powerlifting space, Eleiko offers high end weights that are precision-engineered for serious training. Their bars and plates are calibrated to the exact gram, making them the go-to choice for professional competitions and athletes who demand total accuracy, balance, and reliability under load.

Performance and Data-Driven Training

If you're targeting athletes or high-performance clients, consider integrating tools like Wattbike. Its precision data tracking and powerful performance metrics support elite-level conditioning and testing - all in a compact footprint.

4. Don’t Forget Recovery

Recovery has become a core expectation in today’s fitness spaces. Adding tools like Hyperice percussion devices and Normatec compression boots can differentiate your facility, support member wellness, and extend retention. Even a small recovery corner can elevate your brand image and offer a competitive edge.

5. Plan for Maintenance and Repairs

High-quality equipment helps reduce downtime, but no machine runs forever. Budget for gym equipment maintenance from the beginning, and partner with a team that understands the demands of commercial facilities.

NovoFit offers gym equipment repairs, preventative maintenance plans and ongoing support for all equipment we supply. Our nationwide network of service technicians specialises in commercial fitness equipment repairs, helping independent gyms minimise disruption and maintain professional standards.

We recommend:

• Routine servicing: Preventative maintenance saves money long-term.
• Clear reporting: Make sure you’re aware of wear-and-tear issues before they become breakdowns.
• A strong service team: When something does go wrong, you need a partner who acts fast.

6. Build Your Brand

Your gym isn’t just a collection of machines - it’s a community and a brand. Make sure your equipment, layout, signage, and services reflect the experience you want to offer. Independent gyms are built on community connection and personality, so don’t be afraid to be different. Whether it’s a performance-focused studio, a one stop shop, or a wellness-led offering, consistency in equipment, tone, and branding will help set you apart.

7. Work with the Right Partner

Building a gym from scratch isn’t something you should do alone. From selecting the right commercial gym equipment to planning installs, flooring, and servicing, having an experienced partner makes the process smoother, faster, and more cost-effective.

At NovoFit, we’ve helped hundreds of independent gym owners across Australia bring their vision to life. We’re more than a commercial gym equipment supplier. We’re your long-term partner in building a facility that performs as hard as your members do.

Final Thoughts

Starting your own gym is both a creative and strategic venture. With the right mix of commercial fitness equipment, thoughtful design, and a well-planned approach to growth, you can create a space that not only looks great but is built to perform well into the future.

Whether you’re in the early planning stages or ready to request a quote, NovoFit is here to help. From the initial consultation and design, right through to installation and ongoing maintenance, we’ve got the tools, brands, and experience to bring your gym to life.

Ready to build your gym? Drop us a message.