The Best Two-Way Radios for Gyms
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your fitness club, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for gyms?
The front desk is swamped with new check-ins and no trainers are available to give the new members their intro tours... A machine in the weight room just broke, and no one can find maintenance.
Over in the group class studio, the instructor’s mic isn’t working and she’s trying to yell over the music.
Everyone’s doing their best—but they’re all disconnected.
These are all common issues in a gym - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your gym, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your gym’s needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small gyms, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger gyms (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for gyms:
- Front Desk: For handling check-ins, membership questions, and guest traffic.
- Trainers/Fitness Staff: To coordinate client sessions, equipment availability, and floor coverage.
- Maintenance: For responding to broken machines, facility issues, and quick fixes without extra noise.
- Group Class Instructor: To manage room setups, audio problems, and class timing.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great gym radio?
Clear Audio Quality: Gyms can be loud—music, weights clanking, people talking. Crisp audio ensures messages get through the first time.
Long Battery Life: Staff may need radios for full-day shifts without time to recharge.
Durability: Sweat, accidental drops, and occasional rough handling happen. Radios should be rugged and built to last
Compact & Lightweight Design: Staff should be able to wear them comfortably on a belt or clip without getting in the way.
Hands-Free Options: With headsets or VOX (voice-activated transmission), team members can stay mobile and multitask.
Privacy Codes: Helps reduce interference from other nearby radio users (like other businesses in the area).
Fast Charging or Swappable Batteries: To keep radios in rotation without long downtime.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Gyms
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for gyms of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Gyms
For typical gym layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life.
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Meet the Motorola CLS1410, a UHF Radio with 4 channels that would be right at home in an average sized _ up to 200,000 sqft.
You can conserve a lot of power with this device as it only uses 1-watt of energy. You don't need more than that for your average gym, so it's best to not overspend on features you don't need.
It has 15 floors of indoor range, which is more than enough for a small gym.
This radio features audible call alerts, which play a sound when a call is coming in.
Businesses that we work with utilize a base station along with this radio, like the JBS447d. It can be kept in the front desk and programmed to work with both CLP and CLS radios.
If your gym can benefit from the Motorola CLS1410, contact us for a free quote.
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Lightweight, discreet, and hands-free with excellent audio clarity.
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Here are a few reasons why you might choose the CLP1010e...
- It’s discreet. This helps create a more professional and upscale appearance for your staff
- It’s the smallest professional radio on the market
- It doesn’t have a speaker and must be used with an earpiece. The earpiece comes with the radio.
Here are a few of the fantastic features of the CLP1010e:
- This is a UHF Radio that will allow for communication inside and outside
- There is one channel (for up to 8 channels, look at the CLP1080e)
- The indoor range of this device is 100,000 square feet or 10 floors. That goes up to 20 floors if you're using a repeater.
- It comes with both a swivel belt holster and an earpiece to allow for discreet communication.
Want to learn more about the discreet Motorola CLP1010e for your staff? Reach out to us today for a free quote.
Honorable Mention
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life.
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Larger Gyms - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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The Motorola Curve is another popular option for large fitness clubs.
This is a radio that will work well with a larger staff. It has 10 channels to choose from, making it ideal for a big gym with multiple teams.
The Curve will also save you money in the long run. Because it operates on a digital band, you won't have to worry about paying any pesky FCC licensing fees.
While larger than the CLPe series, this device is still lightweight at only 4.2 ounces. It covers up to 20 floors or 300,000 square feet of range.
When it comes to protecting confidential information, the Curve has you covered with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology and 10,000 different privacy codes.
Another great and beneficial feature of this device is its Page All and Call All Available functions. This allows you to reach out to the entire staff at once, and it is ideal in an emergency.
On the other side of the coin, there is also a Direct Call feature that allows you to contact just one person with sensitive information.
This device is going to be able to handle even the longest shift with a 14-Hour battery life. That's all thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery that it comes with.
This is another two-way radio that has an anti-microbial coating to curb the spread of bacteria.
Honorable Mention:
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your gym – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!