As a fitness expert who’s spent years helping people transform their bodies and lives through home workouts, I’ve learned that having the right equipment is crucial to achieving your fitness goals. But let’s face it – finding reliable, high-quality fitness gear can be a real challenge, especially when shopping online. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 9 best fitness equipment online stores that I personally trust and recommend to my clients.
Over the years, I’ve ordered countless pieces of equipment, from basic dumbbells to complex home gym systems. I’ve experienced the thrill of unboxing a perfectly crafted barbell, and the frustration of dealing with subpar customer service. Through it all, I’ve developed a keen eye for which online stores consistently deliver top-notch products and exceptional service.
In this article, I’ll share my insider knowledge and personal experiences with these top 9 fitness equipment retailers. Whether you’re just starting your home gym journey or looking to upgrade your existing setup, I’m confident you’ll find the perfect store to meet your needs.
1. EliteFTS (elitefts.com)
EliteFTS is a premier destination for strength training equipment and education, founded in 1998 by Dave and Traci Tate. The company specializes in professional-grade strength equipment, powerlifting gear, and accessories, catering to athletes, coaches, and trainers. EliteFTS stands out for its commitment to education, positioning itself as an education company that happens to sell top-of-the-line strength equipment.
Pros
- Extensive knowledge base: EliteFTS offers a wealth of free educational content, making it a valuable resource for strength training enthusiasts.
- High-quality equipment: The company provides professional-rated equipment, ensuring durability and performance.
- Specialized focus: EliteFTS caters specifically to powerlifting and strength sports, offering specialized gear and equipment.
- Customer partnership: The company emphasizes a partnership approach with customers, prioritizing education and support.
Cons
- Niche market: The focus on powerlifting and strength training may not appeal to casual fitness enthusiasts or those seeking general fitness equipment.
- Potentially higher prices: Professional-grade equipment may come at a premium compared to more general fitness stores.
2. Muscle Wellness Market
Muscle Wellness Market is an online fitness store based in the United States, specializing in equipment and gear for personal home gyms. They offer a wide range of products, including apparel, bodyweight equipment, conditioning tools, gym accessories, strength equipment, and support gear. The company positions itself as a one-stop shop for fitness enthusiasts looking to set up or upgrade their home gyms.
Pros
- Extensive product range: Muscle Wellness Market offers a diverse selection of fitness equipment and recovery products, catering to various fitness needs and preferences.
- Focus on home gyms: The store specializes in providing equipment suitable for personal home gyms, making it an ideal choice for those setting up their own workout spaces.
- Variety of categories: Their product lineup covers multiple aspects of fitness, from strength training to conditioning and recovery.
- Customer-centric approach: As a specialized fitness store, they likely offer knowledgeable support for customers seeking guidance on equipment selection.
- Convenience: The online platform allows customers to easily browse and purchase fitness gear from the comfort of their homes.
Cons
- Limited brand recognition: As a relatively newer player in the market, Muscle Wellness Market may not have the same level of brand recognition as some larger, more established fitness retailers.
- Potential for higher prices: Specialized fitness stores sometimes have higher prices compared to larger, general retailers. However, without specific pricing information, this is speculative.
- Possible shipping limitations: Depending on their distribution network, there might be limitations on shipping for larger equipment items or to certain locations.
- Lack of physical stores: As an online retailer, customers cannot physically inspect or try out equipment before purchasing, which some might consider a drawback.
3. Fitness Superstore (fitnesssuperstore.com)
Fitness Superstore is a leading retailer of remanufactured fitness equipment, offering a wide range of products at discounted prices. The company specializes in selling refurbished gym equipment at 40-70% off retail prices, providing customers with nearly new equipment at significant savings.
Pros
- Significant cost savings: Customers can purchase high-quality equipment at 40-70% off retail prices.
- Wide product range: Fitness Superstore offers a variety of cardio and strength training equipment.
- Warranty options: All equipment comes with a warranty, and extended warranty options are available.
- Positive customer reviews: Many customers report satisfaction with the quality of equipment and customer service.
- Free touch-up paint: The company provides free touch-up paint for minor scratches that may occur during assembly.
Cons
- Remanufactured equipment: Some customers may prefer brand new equipment over refurbished items.
- Assembly required: Customers need to assemble the equipment themselves, which can be time-consuming (around 5 hours for some gym setups).
- Potential for quality control issues: While rare, some customers have reported receiving equipment that didn’t meet quality standards, though the company seems responsive in addressing such issues.
4. Perform Better (performbetter.com)
Perform Better is a strength equipment company that specializes in providing a variety of functional fitness and rehabilitation-focused equipment. They are known for their presence in niche private training gyms and big box gyms alike. Perform Better offers a wide range of products, including kettlebells, resistance bands, and other functional training equipment.
Pros
- Diverse product range: Perform Better offers a comprehensive selection of functional fitness and rehabilitation equipment.
- Quality construction: Their products, such as the First Place Kettlebell, are known for durable construction and consistent performance.
- Excellent customer service: The company has received praise for its helpful and knowledgeable staff.
- Convenient purchasing options: Perform Better offers both online shopping and physical warehouse pickup options.
- Competitive pricing: The company often runs sales, such as their 40% off end-of-summer sale, providing good value for customers.
Cons
- Aesthetic durability issues: Some products, like their kettlebells, may have issues with paint chipping easily.
- Mid-range pricing: While not the most expensive, their products are not the cheapest options on the market.
- Limited focus: The company primarily caters to functional fitness and rehabilitation equipment, which may not suit all fitness enthusiasts.
5. Top Fitness Store (topfitnessstore.com)
Top Fitness Store is a leading retailer of premium exercise equipment for home gyms. They offer a wide selection of products from top-rated brands, focusing on cardio equipment such as treadmills and bikes, as well as strength training machines and accessories.
Pros
- Extensive product range: Top Fitness Store offers a vast array of fitness equipment from highly rated brands.
- Excellent customer service: The store is known for its helpful and knowledgeable staff who provide support throughout the purchasing process.
- Physical locations: Customers have the opportunity to see and test equipment in person at multiple store locations.
- Regular sales and discounts: The store frequently offers promotions, making high-quality fitness equipment more accessible.
- Positive customer reviews: Top Fitness Store has garnered favorable reviews for its product quality and customer service.
Cons
- Higher price point: As a retailer of premium brands, the equipment at Top Fitness Store can be expensive, which may not suit budget-conscious shoppers.
- Delivery issues: Some customers have reported problems with delivery and installation services, including delays and communication issues.
- Limited international shipping: Top Fitness Store primarily serves the U.S. market, which may limit its accessibility for international customers.
6. American Barbell (americanbarbell.com)
American Barbell is a premium fitness equipment manufacturer specializing in high-quality barbells, weights, and racks for home gyms, colleges, military facilities, and major gym chains. Founded with a focus on strength training equipment, they are particularly known for their innovative use of Cerakote coating on barbells, which has since become an industry trend.
Pros
- High-quality products: American Barbell is renowned for producing premium, durable equipment, particularly their barbells.
- Innovative technology: They pioneered the use of Cerakote coating on barbells, offering superior rust resistance and unique aesthetic options.
- Excellent performance: Their bars, like the California Bar, are praised for smooth spin, consistent performance, and versatility.
- Attention to detail: Features like recessed welds on sleeves demonstrate their commitment to quality and aesthetics.
- Made in USA: Their products are manufactured in the United States, ensuring high standards of production.
Cons
- Higher price point: As a premium brand, their products may be more expensive compared to some competitors.
- Limited product range: They primarily focus on strength training equipment, which may not cater to all fitness needs.
- Mild knurling: Some users might find the knurling on their bars too mild, especially those accustomed to more aggressive textures.
- Potential quality control issues: Some customers have reported receiving bars that weren’t perfectly straight.
7. Strength Warehouse USA (strengthwarehouseusa.com)
Strength Warehouse USA is an online retailer specializing in a wide range of strength and fitness equipment. Founded by Joe, a fitness enthusiast with nearly two decades of experience in strength training and conditioning, the company aims to provide excellent customer service and support for individuals setting up home gyms, corporate fitness centers, or commercial facilities.
Pros
- Wide product range: They offer a diverse selection of equipment from various brands, catering to different fitness needs.
- Strong customer focus: The company emphasizes building relationships with customers and providing excellent support.
- Expertise and guidance: With the founder’s background in athletics and fitness, they offer knowledgeable advice on equipment selection.
- Transparency: They pledge to provide accurate product information and reliable shipping timelines.
- Authorized dealer: All products are backed by manufacturer warranties, ensuring customer protection.
Cons
- Not a manufacturer: Unlike American Barbell, they don’t produce their own equipment, which may limit their control over product quality.
- Potentially higher prices: As a retailer, their prices might include markups compared to buying directly from manufacturers.
- Newer company: Being a relatively newer player in the market, they may have less established reputation compared to long-standing brands.
- Limited international presence: The company appears to primarily serve the U.S. market, which may limit options for international customers.
8. Major Lutie (major-lutie.com)
Major Lutie, also known as Major Fitness, is an online retailer specializing in all-in-one home gym equipment and accessories. They focus on providing comprehensive fitness solutions for home users, with a particular emphasis on power racks, Smith machines, and functional trainers. Major Lutie aims to help customers create customized home gyms that meet their specific needs.
Pros
- Versatile equipment: Their products, like the F22 All-in-One Power Rack, offer multiple functionalities in a single unit.
- Space-efficient solutions: Ideal for home gyms where space is at a premium.
- Customer-centric approach: The company focuses on helping customers craft personalized home gym setups.
- Competitive pricing: Major Lutie offers high-quality equipment at budget-friendly prices.
- Innovative designs: Their products are often described as “game-changers” in the home fitness market.
Cons
- Limited brand recognition: As a newer player in the market, Major Lutie may not have the same level of brand recognition as more established competitors.
- Mixed customer reviews: While many reviews are positive, some customers have reported issues with product quality or customer service.
- Potential quality control issues: Some users have reported receiving products that weren’t perfectly straight or had minor defects.
9. Rogue Fitness (roguefitness.com)
Rogue Fitness is a well-established American manufacturer and retailer of strength and conditioning equipment. Known for their high-quality products, Rogue caters to both home gym enthusiasts and commercial facilities. They offer a wide range of equipment, from barbells and plates to racks and rigs, as well as conditioning tools and accessories.
Pros
- Exceptional quality: Rogue is renowned for producing durable, high-quality equipment that can withstand intense use.
- Wide product range: They offer a comprehensive selection of strength and conditioning equipment to suit various needs.
- Made in USA: Most Rogue products are manufactured in the United States, ensuring high production standards.
- Strong reputation: Rogue has a well-established reputation in the fitness industry and is trusted by many professional athletes and gyms.
- Excellent customer service: The company is known for its responsive and helpful customer support.
Cons
- Higher price point: Rogue’s premium quality often comes with a higher price tag compared to some competitors.
- Shipping costs: Due to the weight of their products, shipping can be expensive, especially for larger items.
- Limited budget options: While they do offer some more affordable lines, Rogue generally focuses on premium equipment, which may not suit all budgets.
- Overwhelming selection: The extensive product range can be overwhelming for beginners who are unsure about their specific needs.
