Like anything in life, when it comes to our fitness regime, we all enjoy different things and do things in different ways. Each of us has that one piece of fitness equipment we couldn’t live without! We asked our fitness-savvy staff at FS HQ and in store which piece of fitness equipment they can’t get enough of…

Tris, Customer Support
“My favourite bit of kit at the gym is the Body-Solid Hexagon Rig. It’s got everything I want and need on it and makes changing between exercises fast and mixing up sessions easy. I can switch from free weights to exercises on the rig and do a whole range of exercises based around the sports I do i.e. skiing, biking, climbing etc. It’s a funky bit of kit - something to look forward to after the cardio!”
 Clare, Customer Services
“For me, definitely the free weights bar. I use a 5ft barbell with weight discs. This covers cardio as well as strength and trust me, when you are having to do 10 sets of 20 Clean and Press, it feels like I’ve run a marathon!”
Olu, South London Store
"I’d have to say there are two pieces of equipment that I’d rank as my no.1 must-have. First is the Hammer Strength Full Commercial Iso-Lateral Chest/Back Machine as my strength choice. This is simply down to its phenomenal ability to train and target both my pectoral and latissimus dorsi muscles. The isolation capabilities are amazing and the option to plate load to increase weight will always be something I love. My cardio choice is the Life Fitness Club Series Elliptical Cross Trainer CSX, which is down to the impressive smoothness it offers. The stride is perfect for my height, handle grips are very well placed for upper body engagement and it allows me to effectively enjoy a workout session without any discomfort in my lower back, unlike most other cross trainers that I have used.”
Claudius, South London Store
“My must have fitness equipment is the 7ft Olympic Bar because of its diversity when working on various parts of your body. My preference is the Body Power 7ft Olympic Bar with its high weight capacity. A close second would be the elliptical trainer, as it allows for an effective cardiovascular workout with minimal impact on the joints. For someone who weighs 20+ stones like me, this is incredibly important. Personally, Octane Cross Trainers are my preference”
Katie, Content Team
“My top fitness equipment picks would have to be any type of functional training equipment. My workouts begin with strength training, where I tend to use free weights and cable machines, and then for the final twenty minutes I grab kettlebells, slam balls and a step to incorporate into a HIIT circuit. Switching between equipment in an interval style routine, based on forty seconds of work and twenty seconds of rest, leaves me feeling completely defeated! For someone who tends to get bored when using static cardio machines, this is the perfect alternative.”
Mick, Operations
“My must-have piece of fitness equipment has to be the air rower. Every visit to the gym will be a good workout on a rower. They provide my lower body with a really good workout without the impact on my ankles. Plus, they work my core and arm muscles. A recent operation limits my current cardio workout to low impact machines, but I’m definitely not working any less hard with the low impact rower.”
Rory, Leeds Store
“Power Cage, Power Cage, Power Cage. Personally, I love the PowerTec Power Rack. It gives me everything I need for an all-round training session and to complete the ‘Big 5’ compound movements: squats, deadlifts, shoulder press, bench press and rows. I know I can perform them all, safe in the knowledge that I’m protected with the safety bars so when I want to push my limits, I can release the weight without injuring myself or damaging my floors at home. It’s also a great choice if you haven’t got the room for multiple gym equipment!”
Laura, Content Team
“The Bowflex Max Trainer is definitely my must-have machine! One of the big perks of working at Fitness Superstore is the access to all the great products, and when the Max Trainer M5 came along, I knew it was something special and had to get one of my own. Basically, it’s a bit of a mix between a cross trainer and a stepper, but uses high intensity intervals for maximum calorie scorching. After just a 14-minute session on the Max Trainer, not only can I really feel I’ve had a great cardio workout, but it’s worked my total body. My legs are really worked, and I know I’m getting the afterburn effect, i.e still burning calories after I get off the machine. I used to be an avid treadmill runner, but I definitely get a tougher workout on the Max. I do a lot of strength training alongside the Max Trainer, and it’s the perfect combo!”
Steve, Services

“Not exactly equipment but, for me, the most essential part of any training programme is a good training partner. My martial arts training partner is someone I trust to critically appraise what I’m doing. He also suggests changes to my regime that will benefit our training, understands my goals and is very aware of not only my strengths but also my myriad weaknesses! He pushes and pushes, making me reach goals in stamina I didn’t know I had. In terms of equipment, I’d say dumbbells, but it’s essential they have ergonomic handles, like the Body Power Rubber Hex Dumbbells. Using dumbbells with straight, narrow handles always caused my grip to fatigue quickly. This limited my strength goals massively. When I started using dumbbells with ergonomically shaped handles, I found my grip was better and I suffered from premature fatigue far less. I was able to achieve my lifting goals and I have continued to set new goals and now regularly achieve them."

William, Livingston Store
“My go-to piece of equipment is any kind of pulley system. My personal pick would be the Matrix G3 Series. I feel the constant tension and ability to manipulate angles has a positive and stimulating effect on whatever muscle I’m training.”
Stephen, North London Store

“I normally alternate between cardio to strength training from session to session. But whether it is cardio day or strength day, the only item that gets used through both types of sessions is the Power Plate My7. Now that I am familiar with Power Plates, I find it essential for stretching and warming-up before conducting exercise and training. I do find that I feel suppler and more energised after conducting a stretch programme. After either completing a strength session or a cardio session, I normally spend 10-15 minutes going through some massage programmes on the Power Plate. This has definitely enhanced my recovery capabilities and feels awesome after a good training session. I have also noticed that I have not yet picked up any strains or minor injuries for two months whilst using the Power Plate. This is normally a regular occurrence for me and hampers my training as I have to miss sessions while my injuries recover. Thank you, Power Plate!"

Lee, Manchester Store
“Well I reckon I couldn’t live without my Life Fitness F3 Treadmill. It’s well cushioned, very well built and the warranty is fantastic. My running career ended due to injury and I wanted to still keep in shape, so I wanted a cardio machine that would protect my knees. I can’t imagine life without the F3 now!” What’s your fitness equipment must-have? Tell us in the comments or tweet us!