Strength Training Equipment Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Strength Training Equipment Market Trends and Insights

Increasing Health and Fitness Awareness

The strength training equipment market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing health and fitness awareness across diverse age groups and demographics. Consumers increasingly recognize strength training's long-term benefits, including enhanced muscular strength, improved metabolic function, lower risk of chronic diseases, and better mental health. This trend extends globally, supported by broader access to health information, fitness influencers on social media, and a cultural shift prioritizing physical wellness. As preventive healthcare gains importance, strength training equipment, from free weights to resistance machines, has transformed from a luxury into an essential investment. The United States exemplifies this trend, with the Health and Fitness Association (HFA) reporting 77 million Americans holding memberships in gyms, studios, or fitness facilities in 2024, demonstrating the widespread adoption of fitness activities ^{[1]Source: Health & Fitness Association, "Number of memberships at fitness centers and health clubs in the United States", www.healthandfitness.org}.

Rising Prevalence of Obesity and Lifestyle Diseases

The strength training equipment market is expanding due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and lifestyle diseases. Sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and reduced physical activity have led to a significant increase in these health conditions worldwide. With rising public and personal healthcare costs, strength training has become essential due to its effectiveness in weight management, insulin sensitivity improvement, and enhanced cardiovascular and metabolic health. Resistance training offers distinct advantages over aerobic exercises by maintaining lean muscle mass, enhancing basal metabolic rate, and improving body composition, making it vital for preventing and managing obesity-related complications. Healthcare professionals, individuals, and wellness centers actively incorporate strength training into comprehensive health programs. For example, the Italian National Statistical Institute reported that 5.8 million people in Italy were classified as obese in 2023, leading health authorities to implement structured exercise programs, including resistance training, across communities ^{[2]Source: Italian National Statistical Institute, "Number of obese individuals in Italy", www.istat.it}.

Growth of Home Gyms and Remote Workouts

Consumers are increasingly choosing home gyms and remote workouts, driving growth in the global strength training equipment market. They prefer at-home fitness for its practicality, flexibility, and time efficiency. This change reflects a long-term shift toward convenient and personalized fitness solutions with digital technology integration. The rise of hybrid and remote work has led more people to create home fitness spaces. Digital platforms now offer app-based workouts and virtual coaching, making strength training easier to access. Users invest in quality home equipment as these digital solutions make workouts more engaging. Both developed and emerging markets show steady growth in equipment sales. Government programs support this trend - Canada's ParticipACTION offers digital resources for home workouts, while the United Kingdom's NHS Digital Fitness Program provides free online strength training plans. These government initiatives build consumer trust in home fitness equipment.

Technological Advancements in Equipment Production

The integration of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things capabilities in smart fitness equipment is transforming traditional strength training into data-driven experiences that enhance workout effectiveness and safety. EGYM's Smart Strength Squat technology and AI-powered Genius tool incorporate advanced algorithms that provide real-time form correction and personalized training adjustments. Moreover, in June 2025, Interactive Strength Inc.'s USD 500 million investment in AI token treasury with Fetch.ai demonstrated the industry's focus on blockchain and AI integration for equipment optimization. Advanced manufacturing automation and precision engineering enable mass customization of equipment to individual user specifications while maintaining production cost-effectiveness.

Stringent Regulatory Requirements

The European Union's Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, which takes effect in January 2027, implements new cybersecurity and digitalization requirements for connected fitness equipment manufacturers. The regulation requires enhanced safety protocols for AI-enabled equipment and cybersecurity measures for IoT-connected devices, extending product development cycles by 12-18 months. The EN17229 standards for European health clubs establish additional compliance requirements for commercial equipment manufacturers. The increased regulatory requirements may favor larger manufacturers with established compliance resources, while smaller manufacturers face higher compliance costs. While the regulation's focus on digital documentation and remote monitoring reflects industry trends, manufacturers must invest significantly in compliance infrastructure.

High Initial Capital Investment and Maintenance Costs

Commercial-grade fitness equipment requires substantial upfront investment, with premium strength training systems creating barriers for smaller fitness facilities and limiting market penetration in price-sensitive segments. Maintenance costs for sophisticated connected equipment represent a significant portion of the initial purchase price annually, as specialized technicians and proprietary software updates are essential for optimal performance. The complexity of modern equipment with integrated electronics and AI capabilities increases the total cost of ownership, particularly for facilities lacking technical expertise. Manufacturers are developing service-as-a-subscription models to distribute costs over time, with companies like Technogym reporting growth in their service revenue streams alongside equipment sales. Leasing and financing options are expanding to address cost barriers, though interest rate fluctuations affect affordability calculations for potential buyers.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Weights Maintain Dominance Despite Functional Training Surge

Weights hold a 43.55% market share in 2024, demonstrating their essential role in strength training across all fitness levels and applications. The segment maintains its position through versatility and effectiveness, serving both beginner and advanced users in commercial and residential settings. Racks and benches show the highest growth rate at 6.58% CAGR during 2025-2030, supported by functional training methods that focus on compound movements and athletic performance. Exercise and medicine balls comprise a smaller but consistent segment, with sustained demand from rehabilitation and group fitness programs.

The market shows increased preference for functional training equipment, moving away from isolated muscle exercises toward movement-based training that replicates daily activities. In March 2025, NordicTrack's launch of the Ultra 1 luxury treadmill with advanced cooling systems and immersive technology demonstrates the integration of premium features into traditional equipment categories. Additional product categories, including training accessories and recovery equipment, are expanding as fitness professionals integrate comprehensive training systems that combine mobility, stability, and recovery with strength training.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By End User: Commercial Facilities Drive Volume While Residential Accelerates

The commercial segment maintains a dominant position with 62.57% market share in 2024, attributed to substantial increases in gym memberships and systematic expansion of fitness facilities across emerging markets. Lifetime's financial performance demonstrates robust segment growth, reporting an 18.7% revenue increase in Q4 2024 and achieving a membership base of 812,062. Commercial establishments benefit from substantial procurement efficiencies and implement systematic maintenance protocols, thereby maximizing equipment performance and operational lifespan. The segment exhibits particularly strong performance metrics in the Asia-Pacific regions, where rapid urbanization and expanding middle-class demographics drive systematic fitness facility development.

The residential segment demonstrates accelerated growth at 6.84% CAGR, reflecting fundamental transformations in fitness consumption patterns that persist beyond initial pandemic-driven adoption. The segment's expansion is facilitated by spatially optimized equipment configurations and sophisticated connected fitness platforms that deliver professional-grade training experiences within domestic environments. The residential market trajectory indicates sustained capital allocation toward home fitness infrastructure as consumers prioritize accessibility and individualized training methodologies.

By Category: Premium Segment Outpaces Mass Market Growth

Mass market products command 72.45% of the market share in 2024, catering to price-sensitive consumers and facilities that require basic functionality. This segment leverages economies of scale in manufacturing and simplified designs to reduce production costs while maintaining essential performance standards. Mass market equipment provides the fundamental infrastructure for fitness facilities and home gyms, making strength training accessible across various economic segments.

The premium segment exhibits robust growth at 7.49% CAGR, as consumers increasingly invest in high-quality, technology-integrated equipment that enhances workout experiences. Technogym's "Healthness" approach, which integrates preventive healthcare features into premium equipment, demonstrates the industry's shift toward positioning advanced products as health investments. Premium equipment incorporates advanced materials, electronic systems, and integrated software platforms, justifying higher prices through enhanced functionality and durability. This growth indicates increasing market maturity and consumer sophistication in equipment selection.

By Distribution Channel: Digital Commerce Transforms Equipment Sales

Offline retail stores hold a 64.34% market share in 2024, as consumers prefer physical evaluation of fitness equipment before making substantial investments. Traditional retail channels offer product demonstrations, immediate availability, and expert consultation services, which remain essential for complex equipment purchases. Sporting goods retailers and specialty fitness stores continue to serve customers who value in-person product interaction and local support services.

Online retail stores are experiencing a 7.94% CAGR, reshaping equipment distribution through digital experiences and direct-to-consumer approaches. E-commerce platforms use virtual reality demonstrations, augmented reality placement tools, and detailed video content to simulate in-store experiences. Peloton's collaboration with Costco, offering Bike+ for strength training through retail stores and online channels, illustrates the adoption of omnichannel strategies. The online segment's expansion is supported by enhanced logistics, financing options, and subscription services that build long-term customer relationships.

Geography Analysis

North America holds 31.34% market share in 2024, driven by established fitness infrastructure and high per-capita fitness spending that maintains premium equipment demand. The region's 5.6% CAGR indicates market stability, supported by facility modernization, technology integration, and growing corporate wellness programs. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association reported 4.2% growth in sporting goods and fitness equipment sales in 2023, with institutional fitness equipment increasing 11.8% and treadmill sales rising 23.5% ^{[3]Source: Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), "Manufacturers' Sales by Category Report 2024", sfia.org} . The United States maintains market leadership through its established fitness culture, high disposable incomes, and regulatory environment supporting connected fitness equipment innovation. Canada and Mexico contribute through growing fitness facility networks and cross-border equipment trade.

Asia-Pacific records the highest growth rate at 8.22% CAGR, propelled by urbanization, increasing health awareness, and government physical activity initiatives across major economies. The region maintains significant growth potential, with fitness penetration rates lower than developed markets. Johnson Health Tech's USD 100 million investment in Vietnam manufacturing capacity in August 2024, establishing the world's largest fitness equipment factory, indicates strong industry confidence in regional growth. India, Japan, and Southeast Asian markets drive expansion through growing middle-class populations and health awareness initiatives.

Europe exhibits consistent growth at 4.3% CAGR, influenced by strict regulatory requirements and sustainability measures that affect equipment design and manufacturing. The European fitness sector generated EUR 36.0 billion in revenue in 2024, serving 71.6 million consumers, as reported by Europe Active, demonstrating market stability ^{[4]Source: EuropeActive, "The European Fitness and Physical Activity Sector", www.europeactive.eu}. Germany and the United Kingdom drive regional demand through established fitness cultures and high equipment standards. Southern European markets, including Italy, France, and Spain, contribute by expanding boutique fitness facilities and premium equipment adoption in urban areas.