The Hidden Cost of Old Gear: How It's Losing You Members

Picture this: Two gyms, side by side. Same location, same membership fees, both spotless. Everything you’d want, right? Except Gym #1 is filled with equipment from 15 years ago (or worse, relics from the 90s). Now, Gym #2? It’s stacked with fresh, well-maintained gear. You can tell just by looking that the owner cares about their members’ experience. Which gym do you think people are lining up to join?

I get it—not every gym is going to land in those extremes. Most gyms are somewhere in the middle. But here's the thing: every gym has that one piece of equipment no one touches. Usually, it’s a leg curl machine collecting dust.

On top of that, a lot of gyms these days are missing key pieces of equipment. How often do you walk into a gym and find a proper plate-loaded flat bench? Or an incline bench? Even a decent variety of row machines? Instead, they’ll throw in a single cable setup and call it a day. Sound familiar?

We want our members walking in fired up, ready to crush their workout. Not everyone’s hyped about throwing a barbell on a bench. Some are—and that’s awesome—but others need more than that. As gym owners, it’s our job to create that experience. Give them equipment they’re excited to use. Your most loyal members? They’re the ones lying awake, wired with excitement, counting down the hours until they can hit that hack squat—or whatever piece of equipment you’ve got. That’s the kind of energy that keeps them coming back for more.

But those die-hards aren’t the problem. The real issue? The members who come in, slog through mediocre workouts because your equipment is outdated. They’re the ones who will think every gym’s the same, and next thing you know, they’ve signed up at insert generic franchise gym here. And that’s the heartbreak. You’re not just losing a member; you’re losing someone who’s now going to struggle to hit their goals at the next place because they never got the right foundation with you. That’s on us as owners—creating the environment that pushes them to succeed starts with what we give them to work with.

And I hear you—“Sam, equipment is expensive! I can’t drop $20,000+ on three new machines.” That’s where we come in. At Iron Workshop, we provide state-of-the-art gym equipment for any gym serious about giving their members an unforgettable experience. It’s not just about upgrading gear; it’s about creating the foundation for long-lasting, healthy habits that keep people coming back. You want them excited to walk through your doors every single time? We’ve got you covered.

Right now, we’re running an unbeatable deal. When you email me for a free quote, we’ll knock 10–20% off, depending on what you’re looking for. You can check it out on the main page of our website and take a closer look at our equipment. This is your chance to upgrade your gym and give your members the experience they’ve been waiting for—don’t miss it.