Buzz
With gyms being shut down, individuals are coming up with ways to stay active at home, one of which is setting up a personal home gym. However, if you’ve had difficulty locating home gym equipment, you’re not the only one: A fitness store in Houston reported selling a six to eight month supply of free weights in just a single week, while other retailers have seen a surge in sales.
In addition to the heightened demand from buyers, there is the complication that much of our exercise gear is produced in China, which halted production in January, creating delays in the global supply chain. This issue is particularly evident for cast-iron items—such as kettlebells—since most of the foundries are located in China. Currently, if you’re hoping to purchase a kettlebell, your best bet lies with a single foundry in Rhode Island, producing between 40 and 50 units daily.
This situation means that even before the demand for home gym equipment surged, there was already a shortage. With the added rush of purchases, there is now barely a kettlebell available anywhere. As a result, many items are delayed or completely sold out.
Looking for new gym equipment for your home? Here's where you can find the latest options to build your personal workout space.
If you're still in the process of setting up your home gym, check out updates on various suppliers of gym equipment. This includes stock availability, shipping delays, and whether certain items are currently out of stock.
Amazon According to their FAQ, Amazon is focusing on high-demand products like essentials and medical goods. Nonetheless, they are still processing orders for other items, including large gym equipment. Expect shipping delays, with some orders taking until late April or May to arrive.
Bells of SteelWhile they have paused in-person pickups, Bells of Steel continues to offer free shipping across the United States. They anticipate a restock of out-of-stock items by May, but anything available should ship within 1-2 days.
Dick’s Sporting GoodsCustomers can still shop via Dick's mobile app or website, and opt for curbside, contactless delivery. Though shipping is available, it may vary depending on your location, meaning picking up equipment directly could be your best bet.
Rogue FitnessThe website and order fulfillment system at Rogue Fitness are up and running, though shipping is currently delayed by 14-21 days. They've also outlined the additional benefits they're providing to their employees, including extra pay and a grocery stimulus benefit.
Rep FitnessRep Fitness has paused orders until April 27 to catch up on their backlog of requests.
Strong Arm FitnessStrong Arm's website carries a message for customers: "Before making a purchase, please check with us via the contact page to confirm availability. Many items have sold out due to gym closures."
VulcanThe Vulcan website reports a 3-7 business day processing time for orders, but delays can occur due to circumstances beyond their control. They are also not accepting back orders for items currently out of stock.
Consider buying used equipment.
Like many things these days, building a home gym requires some additional effort, but it’s still very possible to create a functional space. Best of luck with your workouts!
