How to Fit Out a PT Studio for Under $30,000
How to Fit Out a PT Studio for Under $30,000
Last updated: April 2026 — A complete, itemised equipment budget for opening a personal training studio in Australia, featuring VERVE commercial-grade equipment with exact pricing.
In This Guide
- Racks and Benches — ~$4,328
- Barbells — ~$1,000-$1,500
- Weight Plates — ~$2,500-$3,500
- Dumbbells — ~$2,500-$3,500
- Kettlebells — ~$800-$1,200
- Cardio — ~$2,900
- Functional Trainers — ~$5,998-$6,498
- Pin-Loaded Machines (Makoto Series) — ~$4,499-$9,498
- Flooring — ~$1,500-$2,500
- Accessories — ~$500-$1,000
- Related Resources
TL;DR: You can equip a fully functional PT studio for under $30,000 using VERVE commercial-grade equipment. The core setup includes 2x Zen Power Racks ($3,198), 2x FID Benches ($1,130), barbells, bumper plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, an air bike, a rower, flooring, and 2-3 Makoto pin-loaded machines. Total itemised below comes to approximately $27,000-$29,000 depending on your machine selection. Every item carries commercial warranties and is rated for daily multi-user abuse. VERVE has completed over 16,000 commercial fitouts.
The Equipment List: Itemised Budget
Racks and Benches — ~$4,328
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERVE Zen Power Rack | 2 | $1,599 | $3,198 |
| Commercial FID Bench V2 | 2 | $565 | $1,130 |
| Subtotal | $4,328 | ||
Two Zen racks give you two full training stations — essential for running semi-private PT sessions (2-4 clients simultaneously). The 75x75x3mm steel with Westside hole spacing, included J-hooks, safety straps, plate holders, and band pegs means each station is fully equipped out of the box. Lifetime frame warranty for commercial use.
Barbells — ~$1,000-$1,500
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Olympic Barbell 20kg | 2 | $499 | $998 |
| Elite Olympic Barbell 15kg | 1 | $479 | $479 |
| Subtotal | $1,477 | ||
Two 20kg bars (one per rack station) plus a 15kg bar for female clients or lighter work. All Elite barbells carry a lifetime no-bend warranty for commercial use. 210K PSI, 10 needle bearings, 453.5kg capacity. These bars will outlast your lease.
Weight Plates — ~$2,500-$3,500
| Item | Qty | Unit Price (pair) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bumper Plates 25kg | 4 pairs | $219 | $876 |
| Black Bumper Plates 20kg | 2 pairs | $189 | $378 |
| Black Bumper Plates 15kg | 2 pairs | $159 | $318 |
| Black Bumper Plates 10kg | 2 pairs | $129 | $258 |
| Black Bumper Plates 5kg | 2 pairs | $99 | $198 |
| Change Plates (various) | ~4 pairs | ~$39-$75 | ~$250 |
| Subtotal (approx.) | ~$2,278 | ||
This gives you roughly 400kg+ of plate weight across both stations. Black bumper plates are the smart choice for a commercial PT studio — IWF standard 450mm diameter, stainless steel inserts, and they'll handle thousands of drops. Colour plates look nicer but cost 30-50% more for identical function.
Dumbbells — ~$2,500-$3,500
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Premium Hex Dumbbells 5-30kg (individual pairs) | ~$1,500-$2,000 |
| 3 Tier Hex Dumbbell Rack | $439 |
| Subtotal (approx.) | ~$2,000-$2,500 |
Hex dumbbells from 5-30kg cover the range most PT clients need. The commercial-grade rubber and friction-welded construction handle daily multi-user abuse. A proper dumbbell rack keeps the studio floor clear and professional-looking.
Kettlebells — ~$800-$1,200
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Competition Kettlebells 8kg, 12kg, 16kg, 20kg, 24kg (2 of each) | ~$79-$169 each = ~$800-$1,000 |
| Kettlebell Stand 2-Tier | $449 |
| Subtotal (approx.) | ~$1,200 |
Competition kettlebells are the studio choice — identical external dimensions regardless of weight (consistent technique), colour-coded handles for quick weight identification, and lifetime warranty. Two of each common weight lets you run paired exercises or small group sessions.
Cardio — ~$2,900
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERVE Commercial Air Bike | 1 | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| VERVE Commercial Rower | 1 | $1,599 | $1,599 |
| Subtotal | $2,898 | ||
An air bike and rower give PT clients two conditioning options — total-body HIIT on the air bike, full-body low-impact cardio on the rower. Both are commercial-grade with 5-year frame warranties. If budget is tight, the air bike alone is the more versatile single option.
Functional Trainers — ~$5,998-$6,498
No PT studio we fit out is complete without at least one Tori Functional Trainer. Cable machines are the most versatile piece of equipment in any studio — face pulls, cable flyes, tricep pushdowns, rows, wood chops, and hundreds of other exercises that your clients will use every single session. We recommend 1-2 depending on client volume:
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tori Cable Attachment (adds to Zen rack) | 1-2 | $2,999 | $2,999-$5,998 |
The Tori Cable Attachment bolts directly onto your Zen racks, turning each rack station into a full functional trainer with dual 150kg weight stacks. One attachment on one rack gives you a combined rack + cable station. If budget allows, add a second to give both rack stations cable functionality. This is the single biggest differentiator between a basic studio and a premium one.
Pin-Loaded Machines (Makoto Series) — ~$4,499-$9,498
Pin-loaded machines add perceived value and let clients do guided exercises without constant supervision. With the Tori handling cable work, you can be more selective here — choose 1-2 machines based on your client demographic:
| Machine | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pulldown/Seated Row | $4,499 | Most versatile single machine (back training) |
| Leg Extension/Leg Curl | $4,999 | Leg isolation (popular with all client types) |
| Chest Press | $4,999 | Chest training (good for beginners) |
Recommended 2-machine selection: Pulldown/Seated Row ($4,499) + Leg Extension/Leg Curl ($4,999) = $9,498. These two machines cover pulling and leg isolation — the two movement categories hardest to replicate with free weights alone for PT clients.
Recommended 3-machine selection: Add the Chest Press ($4,999) = $14,497 total. Three machines give your studio a commercial gym feel.
Flooring — ~$1,500-$2,500
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Gym Flooring 15mm (1m x 1m) | 30-50 tiles | $50 | $1,500-$2,500 |
Budget 30 tiles ($1,500) for a minimum 30sqm studio or 50 tiles ($2,500) for a larger 50sqm space. EPDM rubber tiles at $45-$59 each are the premium option (easier to clean, more seamless appearance) if budget permits. 5-year home warranty; check commercial warranty terms for your usage.
Accessories — ~$500-$1,000
Collars, resistance bands, foam rollers, skipping ropes, wall balls, slam balls, and other small items. Budget roughly $500-$1,000 for the accessories that round out your programme options.
Total Budget Breakdown
| Category | 2-Machine Setup | 3-Machine Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Racks and Benches | $4,328 | $4,328 |
| Barbells | $1,477 | $1,477 |
| Weight Plates | ~$2,278 | ~$2,278 |
| Dumbbells + Rack | ~$2,250 | ~$2,250 |
| Kettlebells + Stand | ~$1,200 | ~$1,200 |
| Cardio (Air Bike + Rower) | $2,898 | $2,898 |
| Makoto Machines | $9,498 | $14,497 |
| Flooring (30-50 tiles) | ~$1,500-$2,500 | ~$1,500-$2,500 |
| Accessories | ~$750 | ~$750 |
| TOTAL | ~$26,179-$27,179 | ~$31,178-$32,178 |
The 2-machine setup lands comfortably under $30,000. The 3-machine setup pushes slightly over — drop to 2 machines or reduce the dumbbell range slightly to stay under.
Why VERVE for Commercial Fitouts?
VERVE has completed over 16,000 commercial fitouts across Australia, equipping PT studios, CrossFit boxes, hotel gyms, corporate gyms, and professional sporting clubs. Every product listed above carries a commercial warranty — this is equipment designed for daily multi-user abuse, not home gym equipment being used commercially.
Buying the entire fitout from one supplier means one delivery, one warranty contact, guaranteed compatibility between all components, and a consistent aesthetic throughout your studio. The matte black powder-coat finish across all VERVE racks, benches, and Makoto machines creates a cohesive, professional look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Fit Out Your PT Studio
VERVE has completed over 16,000 commercial fitouts across Australia. Every piece carries a commercial warranty. One supplier, one delivery, one consistent look.
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