REP Fitness Empowers Operators With Space-Saving Techniques

The strength equipment supplier reveals innovative strategies for maximizing gym floor space without sacrificing functionality

Nobody likes an overcrowded gym — especially the engineers at strength equipment supplier REP Fitness . The brand prides itself on helping operators reinvent their facility spaces, designing cutting-edge machinery that mounts, adjusts and stores with ease to decongest even the most highly populated gyms.

“We understand that the gym layout an owner chooses needs to be a reflection of their clientele and how they want their clients to feel when they’re training in their space,” said Joe Koenecke, REP Fitness National Retail Sales Manager. “It needs to have a thoughtful flow. It can’t be clunky or cramped. The smaller the space is, the more crucial it is to be mindful of any of those space constraints that you have to work with.”

Having helped gyms stay mindful since 2012 , the brand knows all the tricks of the trade in the space optimization game.

Gym Layout Misconceptions

It’s natural for a gym operator to see an empty space on their floor and want to fill it with equipment. However, blindly following that instinct can get you into trouble, REP Fitness argues. While the “more equipment leads to more members, which leads to more revenue” formula may seem foolproof on the surface — in reality, it’s anything but.

“I think a big misconception when it comes to maximizing available space is the thought that you need to add more equipment, that more is more ,” said Koenecke. “We see so often that spaces are getting overcrowded with equipment. They’re not really considering some of the impacts of their space constraints. Although this usually is done with good intentions, the reality is that overcrowded space is inefficient. It’s clunky and the outcome is a poor experience for the clients that are training there.”

By asking the right questions about space and equipment rather than shoving as much as they can into a fixed spot, REP Fitness stands out as a supplier.

“We think that an effective space needs to consider, first and foremost, who’s going to be using the space, how many individuals are going to be using it at a time and then determining at that point how to use the space,” Koenecke said. “These all determine the amount of equipment that a space needs and where the priorities should lie when selecting equipment to fill it with. It’s common to see a training center that’s tight on space just wanting to fill itself with equipment that only serves one single movement or one single purpose. We think that that’s not the best way to maximize those space constraints.”

The Great Wall

While some gym designers see the floor as the only area to place equipment, REP Fitness isn’t afraid to look up. The brand excels at designing equipment that attaches to walls, establishing more space and making exercise more feasible for both those using the equipment and those simply around it.

“We really try to look at some of the often overlooked aspects of space-saving, which is building up against the walls,” said Koenecke. “There are so many opportunities to use wall space in a productive and meaningful way. We have a whole team of commercial fitness specialists that are experts at maximizing how to get equipment up off the floor to free up space that can actually be used for people to work out.”

REP Fitness accomplishes that with products like low-profile wall-mounted racks or full storage systems that are tied up against walls for plates, kettlebells or dumbbells.

More Versatile Products

The brand’s Hyperion, a pre-configured, full-gym setup, is a major space saver as well. Different versions of it include a half-rack, a full-cable crossover and a lat pulldown with storage for plates and dumbbells. It’s an all-in-one tight system that also goes up against the wall.

“The Hyperion, just as a concept, is a beast,” said Koenecke. “We can swap out the height, the width or the depth. We can make it a smaller footprint or a larger footprint. We can plug and play with different cable options. We can make an all-in-one option for a home gym, a boutique gym or a commercial gym with endless space that hits all the major training needs while keeping the floor space pretty open and clear for the actual movements.”

PR-5000 Power Rack battles congested gyms with equal might. The product is the brand’s most configurable system with completely customizable height and depth, including options for a half-rack, 4-post or 6-post rack. It’s made with 3×3” 11-gauge steel and has a 1,000-pound rackable capacity.

“It’s more than just being a power rack,” said Koenecke. “It is completely customizable to fit nearly any commercial or home gym space constraints.”

REP Fitness’ Modular Storage System (MSS), features various shelves for dumbbells, kettlebells and plates that can be winged off or added to the PR-5000, creating additional gym floor leeway. Flagship cable pieces, such as the Ares or Athena, can pop right into or out of racks, enhancing the versatility and space-saving capabilities of the equipment.

Putting Power in the Right Hands

This is all done in unison with REP Fitness’ goal to make it as easy as possible for operators to design their gyms as they see fit.

“Our engineers worked hard to give a lot of that decision-making power back to the customer,” said Koenecke. “We don’t want the gyms that we work with to be pigeonholed in having to go with one specific route for their rack. We want it to be something that’s completely customizable for their clients and the space that they envision in their minds. Having some of these near-endless options for configuring your rack, storage, or cable options gives the freedom back to the gym owners to use their space how they really see and intend in their mind.”

REP Fitness is proud to pave the road for the industry’s most creative operators to design their gyms as they see fit.

“Ultimately, our stance at REP is that we’re a partner in our customers’ success story,” said Koenecke. “We believe that it’s the owners, operators, the trainers, the coaches and the staff that keep the clients coming back every day and we’re just here to support them by helping them design the best facility that they possibly can.”

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