The price of high end gym equipment

[matjusm]

I've recently been looking at some high end gym equipment (not actually buying yet, just entertaining a wet dream) and I found some weird stuff: the cost of lifting platforms differs massively depending on manufacturer.

Although these aren't by the same retailer or sold in the same country, I think it should still be an indication of the price differences (all 6x8 feet, all made for power racks):
1. Legend Fitness platform with power rack insert: 1700$
http://www.gymstore.com/Pro-Series-I...p/leg-3223.htm

2. Magnum platform with power rack insert: 4000$
http://www.gymcompany.co.uk/strength...-platform.html

3. Hammer Strength platform with power rack insert: 7000$
http://www.gymcompany.co.uk/strength...-platform.html

Why on earth does the Hammer Strength one cost 4x as much as the Legend Fitness one? Is it 4x the platform? Or is it simply because its from Hammer Strength?

I'm also interested in knowing what kind of prices Power-Lift, the supposed gold standard of racks and platforms, charges for its products. Am I right in guessing that their prices are probably closer to those of Hammer Strength than the other two?

[Kodokan]

Have you considered building a platform? There are several designs and even video instructions out there on the web...

A common one is stacked layers of plywood, two sheets side by side...then a layer going in the opposite direction. A final sheet of higher quality sitting on top of that in the middle, with horse stall mats cut to fit the sides.

You could dress it up really nicely with actual hardwoods for the center...there's also a nice video design you'll get if you search youtube showing how to do this another way. Just google 'building a lifting platform' if you're at all interested in doing it yourself.

[Nuwin]

Have you considered building a platform? There are several designs and even video instructions out there on the web...

A common one is stacked layers of plywood, two sheets side by side...then a layer going in the opposite direction. A final sheet of higher quality sitting on top of that in the middle, with horse stall mats cut to fit the sides.

You could dress it up really nicely with actual hardwoods for the center...there's also a nice video design you'll get if you search youtube showing how to do this another way. Just google 'building a lifting platform' if you're at all interested in doing it yourself.

+1

I did this. Two 4x8 sheets, some nicer wood for the center, and a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply.

[kelt_22]

I dont know enough on both personally to say worth the whole difference but yes the Hammer one is better. much better wood (maple vs oak) a lot thicker and looks to be much heavier metal framing. Also that was on a English site and I and the first was not so could be a big shipping thing and supply and demand. a lot of variables.

[grkmec]

List price for Power-Lift 6'x8' platform w/ oak center, logo and extension is $2,299.

[matjusm]

List price for Power-Lift 6'x8' platform w/ oak center, logo and extension is $2,299.

Thanks for the info.
Thats actually a rather reasonable price (even though you can still get platforms several times cheaper than that) when compared to Hammer Strength. I have no idea how those guys manage to compete on the market with insane prices such as those.

[dumb.bell]

Thanks for the info.
Thats actually a rather reasonable price (even though you can still get platforms several times cheaper than that) when compared to Hammer Strength. I have no idea how those guys manage to compete on the market with insane prices such as those.

Retail pricing and Selling prices can be two totally different things. They may actually get close to their Retail price, but I suspect the discounts are substantial for commercial settings. Sometimes, when you want people to think you are the best, you structure your retail pricing in manner that says "I'm the Best."

Totally Hypothetical - Lets assume you are outfitting a University and you go to Hammer Strength and to Power Lift to get quotes. Lets assume that their equipment is comparable. Lets say they come back with the same final price. However, Hammer Strength is giving you a larger discount. Are they actually giving you a better deal, or does it just appear that way? Marketing people get paid, to create impressions.

[matjusm]

Retail pricing and Selling prices can be two totally different things. They may actually get close to their Retail price, but I suspect the discounts are substantial for commercial settings. Sometimes, when you want people to think you are the best, you structure your retail pricing in manner that says "I'm the Best."

Totally Hypothetical - Lets assume you are outfitting a University and you go to Hammer Strength and to Power Lift to get quotes. Lets assume that their equipment is comparable. Lets say they come back with the same final price. However, Hammer Strength is giving you a larger discount. Are they actually giving you a better deal, or does it just appear that way? Marketing people get paid, to create impressions.

Thats a good point, repped. A lot of the retailer sites I've seen mention discounts on bulk orders so I suppose if you're buying 10 fully fitted platforms with cages and benches you can get a hefty price reduction.