Why your cardio floor is a business decision
Before comparing specifications, decide what the cardio floor needs to achieve. It should support member retention, create
a strong first impression, cope with peak demand, and deliver value over its working life. That means looking beyond the
purchase price for reliability, warranty, serviceability, and lifespan.
Step 1: Build the right machine mix
A strong cardio floor uses complementary machine types rather than several versions of the same machine. Members choose equipment according to their goals, familiarity and tolerance for impact, so a balanced range gives the floor broader appeal.
The anchor of the floor. Treadmills are the highest demand cardio machine in almost every commercial gym, so this is the category to specify carefully. Look for a powerful continuous duty motor, a generous belt, proper cushioning and a high maximum user weight for demanding, long hours of use.
• Commercial Club Treadmill- Built for high-volume, 24-hour sites, with a 5.0 HP AC drive, wide multi ply Habasit belt, shock absorbers and a 205kg maximum user weight.
• Commercial Curved Treadmill- A self powered, motor-free curved deck for sprints, HYROX style conditioning and
functional training. No socket is required.
Bikes provide accessible, joint friendly cardio and give the floor a useful variety.
• Upright Bike- Durable and comfortable for everyday steady state cardio.
• Recumbent Bike- A supported, back friendly option for rehabilitation, older and deconditioned members, with magnetic resistance and a cooling fan.
• Commercial Indoor Cycle- A rear wheel cycle with a smart tension console and up to 100 resistance levels, suited to
high traffic studio use.
These machines add low impact variety and a strong lower body focus for members who cannot or do not want to run.
• Elliptical Trainer- Smooth, ergonomic strides with programmes and data feedback.
• Commercial Stair Climber- Compact lower body endurance training, with sweat resistant panels and transport wheels for flexible placement.
This is the highest energy part of the floor. The machines are compact, mostly self-powered, and work best when grouped together for interval and hybrid training.
• Commercial HIIT Air Bike- Full body air resistance with a performance console and 150kg capacity.
• HIIT Ergo Bike- A commercial air bike with competition standard tracking for interval stations.
• HIIT Rower- A robust indoor rower for hybrid and studio conditioning.
• HIIT Skier- Full body ski erg conditioning for HYROX and functional zones.
Step 2. Choose the right machines for your gym
There is no single ideal cardio mix. Start with four practical questions.
Who are your members?
General fitness sites should prioritise familiar, high-volume equipment such as treadmills, upright and recumbent bikes and ellipticals. Performance and strength led gyms can place greater emphasis on air bikes, rowers, ski ergs and curved
treadmills. Boutique and studio spaces can build around indoor cycles and grouped HIIT stations. Rehabilitation and older member-focused facilities should make supported, low impact equipment easy to reach.
What happens at peak time?
Plan around the busiest 60 to 90 minutes rather than the daily average. As a starting point, allow one cardio station per 8 to 12 members expected on the floor at peak, with the mix weighted towards treadmills and bikes. Refine the number against your membership profile, timetable and available floor area.
Which machines need power?
Curved treadmills, air bikes, rowers and ski ergs are self powered and need no sockets, making them well suited to HIIT
and functional zones. Mains powered machines can provide programmes and screens but need suitable electrical
provision. Plan the power layout around the machine plan.
What is the total cost of ownership?
Consider commercial grade construction, warranty, serviceability, consumables, cleaning and finance as well as the
purchase price. Downtime reduces the value of the floor, while durable frames, drives, belts and sweat resistant surfaces
can reduce wear. 0% APR options are available on PRIMAL commercial orders, helping protect cash flow across a full fit
out.
Step 3: Design the flow
Once the machine mix is decided, the layout should make the floor easy to understand and comfortable to use. Members tend to follow predictable routes, so good planning reduces congestion and makes the equipment feel more accessible.
Sightlines
Make the cardio floor visible from the entrance. The treadmill area and a clean HIIT line can create a strong first impression and make the investment immediately apparent.
Spacing and circulation
Leave a minimum of around 50 to 60cm between machines side to side, with more space where possible. Keep main
walkways at around 1.2m or more. Allow appropriate run off space behind treadmills and additional clearance around self powered HIIT equipment, which is often used explosively and in pairs.
Orientation
Rows facing windows, a view or a feature wall can feel more premium and less exposed than machines facing the centre of the room. Where a view is not available, screens and mirrors can provide a similar focal point.
Cleaning and servicing
Give staff and engineers access to machines without requiring an entire row to be closed. Transport wheels, such as those fitted to the Stair Climber, can make deep cleaning and future floor changes easier.
Step 4: Zone the floor
Group machines according to training intent and intensity. The aim is to make the floor intuitive while keeping activities that need different environments from competing with one another.
Steady state
Treadmills, upright and recumbent bikes and ellipticals for longer, lower intensity sessions. This is normally the highest
occupancy area, so prioritise spacing, screens and clear sightlines.
Performance and HIIT
Air bikes, rowers, ski ergs and curved treadmills. Place this energetic area close to functional and free weight spaces
where possible. Give it enough room for fast, explosive and class style training.
Low impact and recovery
Recumbent bikes and ellipticals should be easy to reach rather than hidden away. Accessible placement is particularly important for rehabilitation, beginners and older users.
Studio and group
Indoor cycles or matching HIIT machines can be grouped into a dedicated space that can be programmed independently
from the main floor.
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HIIT Rower
RRP £959.99Regular price £799.99Sale price £799.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
HIIT Skier
RRP £1,079.99 RRP £959.99Regular price From £799.99Sale price From £799.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
HIIT Ergo Bike
RRP £959.99Regular price £799.99Sale price £799.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Commercial Stair Climber
RRP £4,799.99Regular price £4,099.99Sale price £4,099.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Commercial HIIT Air Bike
RRP £1,099.99Regular price £999.99Sale price £999.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
PACKAGE OFFERPrimal HIIT Cardio Packages
Regular price From £1,499.99Sale price From £1,499.99 Regular price £1,799.99Unit price per -
Recumbent Bike
RRP £2,399.99Regular price £1,999.99Sale price £1,999.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Elliptical Trainer
RRP £3,899.99Regular price £3,999.99Sale price £3,999.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Upright Bike
RRP £2,399.99Regular price £2,199.99Sale price £2,199.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Commercial Curved Treadmill
RRP £6,599.99Regular price £4,999.99Sale price £4,999.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Commercial Club Treadmill
RRP £7,199.99Regular price £6,499.99Sale price £6,499.99 Regular priceUnit price per -
Commercial Indoor Cycle
Regular price £1,499.99Sale price £1,499.99 Regular priceUnit price per
Final planning checklist
A final pass before you sign off the cardio floor plan.
☐ The machine mix covers the needs of the intended membership.
☐ Station numbers are based on peak hour demand, with sufficient treadmills and bikes.
☐ The power plan reflects which machines are self powered and which require mains power.
☐ The cardio floor is visible and presents a strong first impression.
☐ Spacing, walkways and treadmill run off areas have been planned.
☐ The floor is zoned so high intensity activity has appropriate separation and space.
☐ Low impact equipment is easy to access.
☐ Cleaning, servicing and future reconfiguration routes are practical.
☐ Total cost of ownership has been considered alongside purchase price.
