Global tariffs are back in the spotlight—and gym and wellness business owners may feel the sting more than they expect. From weight machines and cardio equipment to advanced tools like 3D body scanners, fitness technology is heavily dependent on international supply chains. And when tariffs go up, so do your costs.
‍

Why Fitness Equipment Is Especially Vulnerable

Most fitness hardware is made with metal, plastic, sensors, or electronics—parts commonly sourced from Asia, including China and South Korea. With proposed tariffs on key imports reaching 15–25%, operators may soon face rising prices on everything from replacement parts to B2B electronics.

Most gym equipment—like racks, benches, and weight stack machines—is literally just steel or other metals, which can only be sourced from a few global suppliers. There aren’t many easy substitutes. If tariffs increase, so do your prices—and there’s little anyone can do to avoid it unless they change the model entirely.

Let’s break it down:

• Strength machines—like cable crossovers or leg presses—can also be heavily impacted. With steel as the primary material and international freight often required, even a modest tariff can drive up prices by thousands of dollars per unit.
• A traditional body scanner (e.g., InBody or similar) that costs $8,000 could see an additional $1,200–$2,000 tacked on due to import fees.
• Service delays and part shortages—already a problem since COVID—could worsen as global shipping costs rise.
• Smaller manufacturers without bulk shipping power will be hit hardest, passing unpredictable costs to customers.

For franchise operators, medspas, or boutique gyms rolling out standardized offerings across multiple locations, this creates a budgeting nightmare.

‍

Strategies for Buying Analog Equipment & Consumer Products in a Tariff-Driven Market

If your business relies on physical products—whether that’s free weights, recovery tools, supplements, or wearables—tariffs can quietly erode your margins and cause supply disruptions. Here’s how to buy smarter and protect your bottom line:

1. Prioritize Domestic or Regional Suppliers
Look for U.S.-made or North American vendors for high-turn items like protein powders, bands, and apparel. Domestic sourcing reduces customs delays, import fees, and unexpected price hikes—while also boosting your ability to restock quickly.

2. Choose Durable, Low-Risk Inventory
For analog equipment like foam rollers, kettlebells, or massage guns, prioritize items with long shelf lives, low defect rates, and proven customer demand. This helps protect your investment if shipping costs rise or delivery timelines stretch.

3. Consolidate Orders & Negotiate Freight Terms
Group orders with other locations or local businesses to reach freight minimums and cut per-unit shipping costs. For franchise groups, centralized purchasing can lead to better bulk deals—and reduce exposure to small-batch surcharges.

4. Audit SKUs and Reduce Overlap
Avoid carrying multiple variations of similar products (e.g., five types of resistance bands or three brands of protein). Fewer SKUs mean less complexity, less deadstock, and lower risk when tariffs shift pricing.

5. Consider Drop-Shipping or Local Fulfillment Partners
If you're expanding e-commerce or product sales, consider partners who ship from U.S. warehouses or offer drop-shipping. This can reduce your capital risk and insulate you from global freight fluctuations.

6. Adjust Pricing Proactively—With a Story
If your costs increase, communicate early. Clients are more understanding than ever about supply chain challenges—especially if you explain it clearly and offer value in other areas (e.g., bundled coaching, personalized plans, or exclusive content).

‍

Why Software-Based Tools Offer a Strategic Advantage

One emerging trend in the industry is a shift away from expensive, metal-heavy equipment toward software-first models that run on commodity hardware.

For example: instead of a bulky scanner with proprietary cameras and a custom frame, newer 3D scanning systems like Fit3D SNAP run on standard Android tablets, which cost about $300. Even if tariffs impact these tablets by 20%, that’s only a $60 increase—versus thousands for traditional systems.

More importantly, these tablets are widely available through domestic retailers like Walmart or Amazon, reducing shipping risk and bypassing overseas freight altogether.

The takeaway: by choosing modular, app-based tools, you can scale smarter and stay resilient—even when global policies shift.

‍

‍

What Operators Should Be Asking Themselves

If you're a gym or studio operator looking to future-proof your equipment and retail strategy, ask:

• Where are my biggest risks in hardware or product sourcing?
• How much of my cost structure is exposed to global tariffs?
• Do I rely on equipment or goods with limited domestic availability?
• Can I simplify my product mix, or shift some upsells to digital offerings?
• Are there software-based or app-powered tools I could use instead of custom hardware?

In times of economic uncertainty, resilience matters more than ever. Whether it’s 3D scanning, strength machines, or recovery products—adopting tools with lower supply risk helps you scale without surprise costs.

‍

Bottom Line: Tariffs Aren’t Just a Manufacturer Problem—They’re a Business Risk for You

Operators who ignore these trends may be stuck with inflated invoices and hardware that’s hard to replace. Those who adapt—by selecting modular, app-based tools and smarter product strategies—can scale more confidently and avoid costly surprises.

To learn more about 3D scanning solutions designed with this in mind, visit fit3d.com/snap.

‍