31,Aug reviewed by Michael Williams
As someone who loves working out and staying active, having the right fitness equipment is essential for me. Over the years, I've tried various brands and models of home and gym equipment. Through trial and error, I've learned that not all fitness equipment is created equal. The quality and durability vary greatly between brands.
After testing out many options, I've found that the largest and most reputable fitness equipment manufacturers typically offer the best quality. Brands like Precor, Life Fitness, Technogym, Cybex, and Matrix consistently produce durable and high-performing fitness machines. Here's a bit more on some of the top fitness equipment manufacturers and why I prefer their products:
Precor
Precor is one of the leading makers of premium cardio and strength equipment. They supply machines to hundreds of gyms and fitness centers worldwide. I've used various Precor ellipticals and treadmills at my local gym and have been impressed with their smooth, stable feel and variety of built-in workout programs. They definitely feel less jarring on my joints than some other brands. Though Precor equipment tends to be pricey, you get what you pay for in terms of quality manufacturing and durability.
Life Fitness
Life Fitness specializes in very sturdy and solidly constructed cardio machines like treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, and stair climbers. Their commercial-grade equipment is built to withstand heavy use at gyms, and they were one of the first companies to introduce electronic readouts on exercise equipment. I recently started going to a new gym that has mostly Life Fitness cardio machines, and I find them easy to use and consistent in their performance.
Technogym
If you've ever watched athletes training at the Olympics, you've likely seen Technogym equipment. They are the exclusive supplier of training equipment at the Games. Like Precor and Life Fitness, Technogym makes premium gym equipment including cardio machines like ellipticals and bikes along with strength equipment like weight racks and benches. While their equipment is very expensive, it's also designed incredibly well and made to last. I splurged on a Technogym treadmill for my home gym, and it was worth every penny.
Cybex
For both home and commercial use, Cybex makes exceptional strength training equipment like cable machines, chest presses, and weight stacks. Cybex's unique OMNI line allows for doing hundreds of exercises on one machine by quickly changing attachments and settings. Whenever I visit a gym with Cybex equipment, I'm drawn to use their polished, smooth-functioning strength machines. They enable such a wide variety of exercises and feel very solidly built compared to other brands.
Matrix
Matrix Fitness targets the commercial market, providing equipment like treadmills, bikes, rowers and strength machines to fitness centers and gyms. Like Precor and Life Fitness, their cardio machines feel stable and smooth to use. Matrix also offers unique innovations like treadmills with curved running surfaces for less joint impact. I tried their curved treadmill at a specialty gym recently and loved the immersive running experience it provided.
Whenever I try out new gyms, I always look to see which brands of equipment they have. Opting for fitness centers with equipment from these major commercial manufacturers ensures you'll be working out on machines engineered for comfort, stability, and durability. Though home versions of gym equipment from these brands cost more, it's worth it for the years of reliable use they provide. Quality fitness equipment from leading manufacturers enables me to work out consistently and achieve my fitness goals without joint pain or disruptions. For the ultimate exercise experience, it pays to choose equipment designed for optimal performance.