When it comes to offering quality equipment for a gym, it is essential to ensure that each machine complies with the gym equipment regulations and the necessary certifications to guarantee product safety and durability. In addition to ensuring user safety, these regulations allow manufacturers to meet quality standards and gyms to align with legal requirements. In this article, we will address the main standards and certifications that each piece of gym equipment must meet, ensuring that both gym owners and users enjoy a safe and high-quality training environment.
Key regulations in gym equipment
Compliance with international standards is crucial when it comes to fitness certifications and equipment safety. Machines must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the intensive use typical in gyms. Below, we explain some of the main regulations that gym equipment manufacturers must follow to make their products market-ready.
ISO 20957: European standard for stationary training equipment
One of the most relevant global regulations for gym equipment is ISO 20957, which establishes the safety, strength, and stability requirements for stationary training equipment. This standard covers a wide range of products, from stationary bikes to strength machines and treadmills. ISO 20957 ensures that equipment is functional and safe for use in gym environments, guaranteeing that the structures are stable enough to withstand weight and continuous physical activity.
In addition, the ISO 20957 standard sets out rigorous resistance tests that ensure equipment can endure constant loads and daily use without compromising user safety. This includes, among other things, stability during movement, durability of moving parts, and strength of structural components.
CE Marking: An essential requirement for marketing in Europe
CE marking is another mandatory certification for any product marketed within the European Union, and gym equipment is no exception. This marking indicates that products meet the safety and quality standards established by European legislation. In the case of gym equipment, this means machines must pass rigorous safety tests regarding their metal structures, electronic components, and other critical elements. CE certification is an essential requirement to ensure that machines are suitable for use in European gyms and can be legally sold in the market.
Load and resistance tests: Tensile, torsion, and stress testing
One of the most important aspects of manufacturing fitness equipment is carrying out load and resistance tests. These tests simulate gym usage conditions, subjecting machines to extreme tensile, torsion, and continuous stress tests. Manufacturers of gym machinery must perform these tests to ensure their equipment is not only visually appealing but also durable and safe.
Tensile tests check the machines’ ability to withstand stretching and tension forces, while torsion tests simulate the impact of rotational movements, something common in strength machines. Finally, stress tests simulate conditions of intense use, ensuring that the machines will continue to function optimally for years, even under continuous use in high-demand environments.
Certifications and technical requirements for gym machines
In addition to general regulations, there are specific certifications for certain types of equipment. Gyms must be aware of these certifications to ensure their machines meet all necessary technical requirements.
EN957 Certification: Technical requirements for cardio and strength machines
The EN957 certification is one of the most important standards when acquiring cardiovascular and strength training machines. This regulation sets technical requirements to ensure the safety and effectiveness of equipment used in gyms. EN957 certification outlines criteria for the design, manufacturing, and testing of cardio machines, such as treadmills, indoor bikes, and rowing machines, as well as for strength machines.
Regarding cardio machines, EN957 ensures that this equipment can withstand prolonged use and poses no risk to users. Furthermore, this certification guarantees that strength machines are stable and functional, allowing for proper exercise execution without compromising the safety of the user.
Materials and paint: Resistance and durability
The design of gym equipment involves not only functionality but also the selection of high-quality materials. Manufacturers must use resistant and durable materials to ensure that machines can withstand the intensive use conditions found in gyms. The structural steel used in the manufacturing of the equipment should be of high quality, such as S275 or S355 steels, which provide excellent resistance to deformation and wear.
Additionally, the paint used on gym machines must be of high quality, especially when it comes to coating metal structures. Anti-humidity epoxy paint should be used to protect machines from corrosion and abrasion, which are common in high-humidity environments like gyms. This paint layer ensures that the equipment maintains its appearance and functionality over a long period, even under constant use conditions.
