Fitness Studio Equipment List and Budget: 2026 Taiwan Guide
Key takeaways: Opening a fitness studio of 15 to 40 ping (about 50 to 130 m²) in Taiwan takes an equipment budget of roughly NT$450,000 to NT$2,500,000. The gap comes mainly from how many cardio machines you buy and whether you bring in a professional body composition analyzer and unmanned-operation equipment on opening day. The equipment list falls into five categories: training equipment, space and facilities, cardio and functional equipment, operations and digital equipment, and safety equipment. Before opening, buy only the items you "cannot teach or take payment without". Everything else can be added in the first three months based on how members actually use the space.
The amounts in this article are estimated ranges compiled by the Trainge Product Team from common 2026 market quotes in Taiwan, intended to help you find your budget tier. Actual amounts vary by brand, specification, quantity and purchasing channel, so rely on supplier quotes. One ping is about 3.3 m².
How much equipment budget does a fitness studio need?
Fitness studio equipment budgets fall into three tiers by size. A one-on-one personal training studio of 15 to 20 ping (about 50 to 66 m²) needs roughly NT$450,000 to NT$800,000. A small-group studio of 25 to 40 ping (about 83 to 132 m²) needs roughly NT$900,000 to NT$1,600,000. A full setup with a professional body composition analyzer and unmanned-operation equipment needs roughly NT$1,600,000 to NT$2,500,000. These figures cover equipment only and exclude rent, deposit and fit-out.
| Setup tier | Best suited to | Estimated equipment budget | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean setup | 15 to 20 ping, mainly one-on-one personal training | NT$450,000 to NT$800,000 | One squat rack, a dumbbell set, benches, a cable machine, flooring, a booking system and basic access control |
| Standard setup | 25 to 40 ping, one-on-one plus small-group classes, space rented to freelance coaches | NT$900,000 to NT$1,600,000 | Two or more squat racks, two to three cardio machines, a functional training area and QR code access control |
| Full setup | 30 ping or more, planning unmanned hours or 24-hour operation | NT$1,600,000 to NT$2,500,000 | The standard setup plus a professional body composition analyzer, environmental controls, a camera system and self-service flows |
The two items that move the budget most are cardio machines and the professional body composition analyzer. A single commercial treadmill can cost more than a whole set of free weights, and a professional body composition analyzer costs hundreds of thousands of New Taiwan dollars. Both can be handled with installments, leasing or a later purchase to ease cash pressure at opening.
What is on a fitness studio equipment list?
Fitness studio equipment falls into five categories: training equipment, space and facilities, cardio and functional equipment, operations and digital equipment, and safety equipment. The lists below use a studio of about 25 ping (about 83 m²) running one-on-one and small-group sessions as the baseline, and you can adjust them to your class types.
Category 1: Training equipment (mainly free weights)
Free weights are the core of a personal training studio and take 30 to 40 percent of the equipment budget. When startup capital is limited, keep the share of free weights higher than machines, and add machines once membership is stable.
| Item | Suggested quantity | Estimated budget | Buying tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squat rack or half rack | 1 to 2 sets | NT$40,000 to NT$120,000 per set | Confirm the ceiling is high enough for pull-ups and overhead presses |
| Olympic barbell and plate set | 1 bar and about 150 kg of plates per rack | NT$40,000 to NT$90,000 per set | Rubber-coated plates reduce noise and floor wear |
| Dumbbell set and rack | 2.5 to 30 kg, one pair every 2.5 kg | NT$80,000 to NT$150,000 | Dumbbells are usually priced per kilogram, so the top weight drives the total |
| Adjustable bench | 2 | NT$8,000 to NT$25,000 each | Load rating and stability vary widely among commercial models, so try them in person |
| Cable machine or functional trainer | 1 | NT$80,000 to NT$250,000 | A dual-pulley model can serve two members at once |
| Small tools: kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls, suspension trainers | Depends on class design | NT$30,000 to NT$60,000 | Low unit price and high usage, so you can buy in batches |
Category 2: Space and facilities
Space and facilities determine training safety and how often the neighbors complain. Flooring and soundproofing are the last places to cut costs, because fixing them after opening means moving every piece of equipment out of the way.
| Item | Suggested quantity | Estimated budget | Buying tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber flooring | Entire training area | NT$1,500 to NT$3,500 per ping | Use 15 mm or thicker in the weights area and add extra padding where you deadlift |
| Mirrors | One to two walls | NT$20,000 to NT$60,000 | Choose safety mirrors or apply shatterproof film |
| Lockers | 1.5 times your peak headcount | NT$20,000 to NT$80,000 | Electronic locks are recommended for unmanned hours |
| Sound system and air conditioning | Depends on floor area | NT$80,000 to NT$250,000 | Size the air conditioning to include body heat from people exercising |
Category 3: Cardio and functional equipment
Cardio machines are expensive and take up space, and a personal training studio usually needs only one to three for warm-ups and conditioning. Air bikes and rowing machines cost less to buy and maintain than treadmills, which makes them a common choice for small spaces.
| Item | Suggested quantity | Estimated budget | Buying tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial treadmill | 0 to 2 | NT$80,000 to NT$250,000 each | Check the electrical circuit and floor load, and assess vibration if there are residents upstairs |
| Air bike | 1 to 2 | NT$30,000 to NT$60,000 each | Needs no power and suits interval training |
| Rowing machine | 1 | NT$40,000 to NT$60,000 each | Stores upright to save space |
Category 4: Operations and digital equipment
Operations equipment determines how much time you spend each day on admin such as scheduling, collecting payment and opening the door. These items share one trait: low upfront cost, with a direct effect on staffing cost and member experience.
| Item | Suggested quantity | Estimated budget | Buying tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking and payment management system | 1 | Mostly monthly subscription, and Trainge lets you start on a free plan | Confirm it supports classes, space rental, class passes and online payment |
| Access control system | 1 per entrance | NT$20,000 to NT$80,000 | It should link to the booking system so members get door access only after booking |
| Body composition analyzer | 1 | Professional models cost hundreds of thousands of NT dollars. See our guide to choosing a body composition analyzer | Installments or leasing are available, and confirm whether data can flow into your member system |
| Environmental controls (smart switches for lighting and air conditioning) | Depends on number of circuits | NT$10,000 to NT$50,000 | Switches on and off by booking slot, cutting electricity use when the space is empty |
| Camera system | 4 to 8 cameras | NT$15,000 to NT$40,000 | Essential for unmanned hours, and must never be installed in changing areas |
Category 5: Safety equipment
Safety equipment costs little, but it carries the highest price when something goes wrong. Install fire extinguishers, a first-aid kit and emergency lighting as required by fire regulations. An AED (automated external defibrillator) is usually not mandatory for a small studio in Taiwan, but it is recommended for any exercise venue. Buying one costs about NT$50,000 to NT$80,000, and monthly rental is also available.
What must you have before opening, and what can wait?
Before opening, buy only the equipment you "cannot teach, take payment or keep people safe without", and defer the rest. Splitting purchases into three phases can cut opening-day equipment spending by 30 to 40 percent.
- Must have before opening: Flooring, one squat rack with barbell and plates, a dumbbell set, benches, small tools, air conditioning, a booking and payment system, access control, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit.
- Within three months of opening: A second squat rack, a cable machine, cardio machines, lockers and a camera system. Decide quantities from your actual peak hours and member feedback.
- Once membership is stable: A professional body composition analyzer, environmental controls, selectorized machines and an AED. These raise renewal rates and operating efficiency, but they do not decide whether you can start teaching.
The exception is when your business model itself depends on a piece of equipment. A studio built around body management and data tracking needs a body composition analyzer on opening day. A studio planning unmanned hours needs access control, cameras and environmental controls all in place before opening.
Choosing operations equipment: booking system, access control and body composition analyzer
Choose operations equipment by whether the pieces can work together, not by individual specifications. If the booking system, access control and body composition analyzer each stand alone, you will reconcile data by hand across three back offices every day. If they are linked, members get door access automatically after booking, measurement data files itself under each member's account, and admin work drops sharply.
Booking and payment system
The booking system has to support the way you charge. Common needs include one-on-one session booking, capacity control for group classes, class passes, renting space by time slot and online payment. Trainge's booking system uses time slots as the booking unit, supports a mix of classes and space rental, and works for gyms, yoga studios, Pilates studios and other studio types. For details, see the Trainge FAQ for venues and coaches (in Traditional Chinese).
Access control system
What matters in access control is the link to booking data. After a member books and pays, they open the door by scanning a code on their phone during the booked slot, and access expires automatically when the slot ends. This lets a studio open its space during hours with no front desk staff, and it turns space rental to freelance coaches (in Traditional Chinese) into extra income that needs no staffing.
Body composition analyzer
The right body composition analyzer depends on your space, your members and where the data needs to go. Common models for venues are the InBody 270S, TANITA MC-780MA and ACCUNIQ BC380. For their specification differences and the scenarios each one suits, see our InBody 270S vs TANITA MC-780MA vs ACCUNIQ BC380 comparison for gyms. You can also view InBody and Tanita body composition analyzer product pages in the Trainge store.
Should you buy new, buy used or lease?
Buy used for simple, durable equipment, buy new for anything with electronics or a safety role, and consider installments or leasing for high-priced items. Allocating purchases this way lowers your opening cash outlay without compromising safety.
| How to acquire | Suitable equipment | Advantage | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used | Plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, squat racks | Iron lasts, and the price gap is large | Inspect welds, rust and barbell bearings |
| New | Flooring, benches, access control, camera system | Comes with a warranty and specifications that match current needs | Ask for commercial warranty terms, because home-use warranties usually do not cover business premises |
| Installments or leasing | Commercial treadmills, professional body composition analyzers | Turns a one-time expense into monthly payments and preserves cash | Calculate the total amount paid and confirm who owns the equipment when the lease ends |
What startup costs are there besides equipment?
Equipment usually makes up only 30 to 50 percent of the total cost of opening a fitness studio. The rest is rent and deposit, fit-out, insurance and working capital. Budgeting for equipment alone is the most common source of a funding gap for first-time owners.
- Rent and deposit: At signing you usually need two months' deposit plus the first month's rent. When choosing a location, also assess soundproofing, floor load and the type of neighbors.
- Fit-out and electrical work: Includes partitions, electrical circuits, air conditioning ducting, showers and soundproofing. A studio with showers will see noticeably higher fit-out costs.
- Insurance: Most cities and counties in Taiwan require consumer premises such as fitness centers to carry public liability insurance. Confirm the rule with the local government where your venue is located.
- Working capital: Set aside three to six months of fixed expenses, including rent, payroll and marketing, because membership in the first months is usually not enough to break even.
For more on rent, payroll, marketing and member default costs, read What does it cost to run a fitness studio? (in Traditional Chinese).
How do you build your own equipment budget in 5 steps?
Build an equipment budget in this order: classes first, peak headcount second, equipment last. Following the five steps below, you can finish a first version in one afternoon.
- Define your class types and peak headcount: Write down the classes you will run and the maximum number of members and coaches on the floor at peak time.
- Draw a floor flow plan: Mark the weights area, functional training area, cardio area, measurement area and storage area on a floor plan, and confirm the dimensions of each.
- List equipment and mark priorities: Go through the five categories in this article item by item, and mark each item as before opening, within three months, or once stable.
- Get at least two quotes per item: Ask suppliers to price equipment, shipping, installation and warranty separately, and ask about installment and leasing terms.
- Add it up and keep a 10 percent reserve: Total the must-have items for opening, then add a 10 percent reserve to arrive at the equipment funding you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
Based on common 2026 market quotes in Taiwan, a one-on-one personal training studio of 15 to 20 ping (about 50 to 66 m²) needs roughly NT$450,000 to NT$800,000 in equipment, and a small-group studio of 25 to 40 ping (about 83 to 132 m²) needs roughly NT$900,000 to NT$1,600,000. Bringing in a professional body composition analyzer and unmanned-operation equipment at opening raises the budget to roughly NT$1,600,000 to NT$2,500,000. These amounts exclude rent, deposit and fit-out.
The must-haves before opening are flooring, one squat rack with barbell and plates, a dumbbell set, benches, small tools, air conditioning, a booking and payment system, access control, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit. A second squat rack, cardio machines, a body composition analyzer and environmental controls can be added after opening based on how members actually use the space.
Yes. Simple iron equipment such as plates, dumbbells, kettlebells and squat racks is well suited to buying used. Inspect welds, rust and barbell bearings before you buy. Buy cardio machines with electronics, flooring, access control and camera systems new, and confirm that the warranty covers business premises.
Not necessarily at opening. Professional body composition analyzers cost hundreds of thousands of New Taiwan dollars, and most studios bring one in after membership stabilizes, to improve renewal rates. If your studio is built around body management and data tracking, have one from opening day and use installments or leasing to lower the initial outlay.
Unmanned hours need at least four pieces of equipment: a booking system with online payment, access control linked to bookings, a camera system, and environmental controls that switch lighting and air conditioning by booking slot. Members can only book, enter and leave on their own when all four are linked.
Yes, we recommend setting one up before opening. A booking and payment system has a low upfront cost, Trainge lets you start on a free plan, and trial classes and early-bird offers during the opening period are when you need online booking and payment most. If you wait until you have more members, you will also spend extra time migrating member data and remaining session credits.
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