Why is gym equipment so expensive?

[okgo]

So I went on a fitness store to see how much a decent bench like the one I have at the gym, and some weights, like they have at the gym would cost.


And I found that any bench that was as sturdy and well made as the one at my gym was 800 quid...

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/ziva-performan...

And I then thought, I would just see how much a set of weights would cost... Well a 25kg plate, which I would probbly want a few of were £150 for a pair (I think, it could be each)!!!!

And then finally I looked at dumbells, to see what a decent set of these with all the weights you could need would cost..£1500!!!!

That stuff I do admit is probably decent gear and wouldn't break, but thats almost 3k for dumbells, bench-bar, weights!!!

I suddenly feel better about paying £50 a month to use all this stuff whenever I want..

So is there a reason its so highly priced??

Edited by okgo on Monday 8th February 23:57

[deevlash]

all that fancy expensive equip,ent didnt help Mr Drago, all you need is an old barn and a cart.

[Shinobi]

deevlash said:

all that fancy expensive equip,ent didnt help Mr Drago, all you need is an old barn and a cart.

+1 Get some big stones and an axe.

[bales]

I would have thought a mate with a welder and some decent skills could knock up a bench pretty easy, they are pretty basic bits of kit aren't they...

I have a mate who made himself one, seems ridiculously expensive for such a basic piece of equipment.

[AlexC1981]

I bought some very cheap dumbbells from argos when I was around 16. Now, 12 years later they do the job, but admittedly I've only just started using them

[adam85]

deevlash said:

all that fancy expensive equip,ent didnt help Mr Drago, all you need is an old barn and a cart.

Pfft rubbish, look at his skinny little fore arms

[amir_j]

okgo said:

So is there a reason its so highly priced??

Edited by okgo on Monday 8th February 23:57

Yes- you are looking at high end equipment!

Unless you are very advanced or giving a free invite to rest of the villiage to use it then you don't need an 800 bench...

Get a power rack (350-450), a bench for £150 and weights, the power rack will prob need olympic style wights but for normal dumbells check your local Tesco Extra (discs work out about £1 a KG).

Also would highly reccomend you get most of it used as will be much cheaper.

[Miss Pitstop]

If you want gym-standard machines, look at second hand equipment. A lot of gyms get new gear in after a few years, but some places recondition it and sell it on.

I have used www.lifefitness.co.uk in the past and they were excellent.

[okgo]

I am not actually looking to buy any of this gear, like I said the gym I use has the best kit there is and is fairly reasonable cost wise.

I was just amazed at the price of the gear, but as said above I may have just linked to the best stuff there is. I don't think I would trust a cheap bar/bench with all that weight on it.

[rykard]

Look at somewhere like rosstraining.com for other ideas. Sandbags - very cheap vs weights....

[dtmpower]

Commercial grade benches get abused and used often, got to be well built and weight rated to ensure they are fit for purpose. Also I guess there is big retail margins for powerhouse.

[Animal]

How about a standard 7-foot bar for nearly a grand?!

http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/bars-and-discs/powe...

I've no doubt it's excellent, but that good?

[okgo]

Animal said:

How about a standard 7-foot bar for nearly a grand?!

http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/bars-and-discs/powe...

I've no doubt it's excellent, but that good?

bloody nora!!!

[Mclovin]

just hang around ebay occasionally looking for a bowflex or powertec multi..

[Halb]

Animal said:

How about a standard 7-foot bar for nearly a grand?!

http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/bars-and-discs/powe...

I've no doubt it's excellent, but that good?

I suppose that is the sort of kit that strongmen use. The type who deadlift cars.

[996 sps]

Tell me about it 8 WATT Bikes for 14k (thats with discount!)

[Driller]

And you know what else? All this stuff is made in China. Absolutely scandalous when you think how much it costs to make over there. It would be different if it was made in Europe.