Sports goods · 05
Weight is honest. It either weighs what the label says or it does not.
Fitness equipment is the easiest sporting category to specify and the easiest to get wrong. A plate marked 20 kg that weighs 19.1 kg, a bar that takes a permanent bend at 150 kg, a rack welded from undersized tube — all of it is invisible until a gym is already open.
±1% on bumper, ±2% on cast iron
Plate tolerance
300–700 kg tensile strength
Bar rating
Rubber · urethane · powder coat · chrome · zinc
Finishes
Jalandhar & Ludhiana, Punjab
Cluster
Overview
Tolerance, coating and steel section decide the shipment
Three specifications carry almost all the quality risk in fitness equipment: how close the weights are to their marking, what the coating is actually made of, and what wall thickness the fabricated steel uses. Everything else is finish and colour.
Free weights are a casting and coating business. Cast-iron plates and dumbbells are poured, fettled, shot-blasted and then coated — powder-coated for economy, rubber-encased for gym floors, or urethane-coated for commercial installations that need the coating to survive a decade of drops. Rubber encasement bonds to a steel or iron core; the failure mode to watch is delamination, which comes from poor surface preparation before bonding, not from the rubber itself.
Bumper plates are a different product. A steel hub is moulded into virgin or crumb rubber, with virgin rubber giving lower bounce, less smell and a longer life while crumb rubber costs substantially less. Diameter is standardised at 450 mm so that any plate loaded on a bar sits the bar at the correct 210 mm height, and thickness varies by weight. We specify durometer (Shore A hardness), bounce height from a 2-metre drop and drop-test cycles before the coating is accepted.
Bars are metallurgy. Tensile strength ratings of 300 to 700 MPa determine what a bar survives; the sleeve rotation mechanism — bronze bushings for cost and durability, needle bearings for Olympic-lifting spin — determines how it feels; knurl depth and pattern determine grip; and finish — bare steel, black oxide, zinc, hard chrome or Cerakote — determines corrosion resistance. Humid coastal markets should not be quoted bare-steel bars.
Fabricated strength equipment lives or dies on steel section. A power rack in 50 × 50 mm 2 mm-wall tube is a home product; the same rack in 75 × 75 mm 3 mm-wall tube is commercial equipment, and the difference is invisible in a photograph but obvious the first time someone racks 200 kg. We quote section size, wall thickness, weld type, plate gauge on brackets and hardware grade on every fabricated item.
Upholstery is the most common early failure on benches and machines. We specify foam density in kg/m³, foam thickness, vinyl weight and whether the covering is double-stitched or heat-welded, plus plywood or steel backing under the pad. Cheap upholstery splits at the seam within a year of commercial use regardless of how good the frame is.
The range spans a full gym fit-out: free weights, bars, benches, racks, cages, plate-loaded and selectorised machines, functional trainers, cable stations, conditioning equipment, mats and flooring, plus the accessories and consumables gyms reorder — bands, ropes, balls, collars, straps and cleaning kits.
At a glance
- Plate range
- 0.5–25 kg metric, 1.25–45 lb imperial, bumper and cast iron
- Bumper diameter
- 450 mm standard, 50 mm collar bore
- Dumbbell range
- 0.5–50 kg hex, round-head and adjustable
- Bar lengths
- 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,800 / 2,200 mm, 15 kg and 20 kg
- Rack steel
- 50–75 mm section, 2–3 mm wall, quoted per item
- Lead time
- 30–45 days free weights; 45–60 days fabricated equipment
How we work
We source from India's established brands — we do not manufacture
Akarta Exports is a sourcing and export house. We do not own factories and we do not claim to. Our value is that we know which well-known Indian brands and manufacturers make what, to what standard, and at what price — and we buy from them to the exact specification you give us.
01 — Your specification, written down
We start from your specification, not from a catalogue. Grade, dimension, tolerance, finish, test standard, pack, artwork and labelling are put in writing and confirmed with you before a single enquiry goes out.
02 — Matched to the right Indian brand
We place that specification with established, well-known Indian brands and manufacturers in the cluster that genuinely makes the product — Morbi for tiles, Rajkot and Ludhiana for machinery, Meerut and Jalandhar for sports goods, Kerala and Gujarat for spices.
03 — Offers compared on merit
Because we own no plant and owe no factory a minimum offtake, we compare offers openly on quality, consistency, capacity and price — and tell you where a lower price will not hold up in your market.
04 — Inspected, consolidated, shipped
Our own inspectors clear the goods at the brand's plant and again before loading. Multiple brands and multiple divisions consolidate into one container, one invoice and one document set.
Brand names are disclosed to you on the offer and named on the inspection report, so you always know whose production you are buying. Where a buyer already has a preferred Indian brand, we are happy to source that brand and handle only the inspection, consolidation, documentation and shipping.
The range
Every fitness item we export
A complete commercial gym can be loaded from this list, with the weight-dense items forming the base of the container.
- Bumper plates
- Virgin and crumb rubber bumper plates in 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg and 10–55 lb; competition-spec calibrated bumpers with colour coding; training bumpers in black; technique plates in 2.5 and 5 kg; change plates in 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 kg; 450 mm diameter with stainless or chrome steel hubs and 50 mm bore.
- Cast iron & Olympic plates
- Powder-coated cast-iron plates in 1.25 to 25 kg; rubber-encased plates; urethane-coated commercial plates; tri-grip and four-grip plates; standard 25 mm and Olympic 50 mm bore; calibrated competition steel plates to ±10 g; fractional plates in 0.25, 0.5 and 1 kg; plate trees and storage.
- Dumbbells
- Rubber-coated and urethane hex dumbbells 1–50 kg; round-head chrome and rubber dumbbells; adjustable spinlock dumbbells; selectorised quick-adjust dumbbells; studio vinyl and neoprene dumbbells 0.5–10 kg; PVC and cement-filled dumbbells; dumbbell racks in 2, 3 and 10-pair configurations; dumbbell handles and collars.
- Kettlebells
- Cast-iron powder-coated kettlebells 4–48 kg; competition steel kettlebells with standardised 33 mm handles and uniform dimensions; rubber-based kettlebells for floor protection; vinyl and neoprene studio kettlebells; adjustable kettlebells; kettlebell racks and storage.
- Barbells & bars
- Olympic barbells 20 kg men's and 15 kg women's with needle-bearing or bushing sleeves; power bars for squat and deadlift; standard 25 mm bars; EZ curl bars; trap and hex bars; safety squat bars; tricep and lat bars; cambered bars; technique bars in 5, 7.5 and 10 kg; spring, lock-jaw and competition collars; bar storage racks and holders.
- Benches
- Flat, incline, decline and adjustable FID benches; Olympic weight benches with rack; preacher curl benches; abdominal and hyperextension benches; utility and multi-position benches; commercial fixed-angle benches; competition bench-press benches; upholstery in specified foam density and vinyl weight with plywood or steel backing.
- Racks & cages
- Power racks and power cages in 50–75 mm section; half racks; squat stands and stands with spotter arms; wall-mounted folding racks; rigs and modular rig systems; Smith machines; combo racks; pull-up and dip attachments; landmine and band-peg attachments; J-cups, safety straps and spotter arms in graded steel.
- Machines & stations
- Lat pulldown and low-row stations; cable crossover and functional trainers with 1:2 and 1:1 ratios; plate-loaded chest press, shoulder press, leg press and hack squat; leg extension and leg curl; pec deck; multi-gyms in 2, 3 and 4-station configurations; glute-ham developers; hip thrust and belt squat units; Roman chairs and back extensions.
- Conditioning & functional
- Medicine balls 1–15 kg; slam and wall balls; sandbags and power bags; battle ropes in 30, 38 and 50 mm; plyometric boxes in foam, wood and steel; agility ladders and hurdles; speed and resistance parachutes; sleds and prowlers; tyres and hammers; weighted vests; suspension trainers; balance boards; steppers and aerobic platforms.
- Bands, grips & small goods
- Resistance loop and power bands; tube bands with handles; hip circle bands; pull-up assist bands; ab wheels; push-up bars; grip strengtheners; lifting straps and hooks; wrist wraps; weightlifting and powerlifting belts in leather and nylon; knee sleeves and wraps; chalk and chalk balls; skipping and speed ropes; foam rollers and massage balls.
- Flooring & matting
- Rubber gym flooring in 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 mm tiles and rolls; interlocking rubber tiles; deadlift and platform mats; EVA jigsaw mats; PVC and TPE yoga mats; NBR exercise mats; stretching and pilates mats; mirror-safe wall padding; sound-damping underlay.
- Storage & gym fit-out
- Plate trees and horns; dumbbell and kettlebell racks; bar holders and gun racks; ball and accessory shelving; band and mat storage; gym signage; water-bottle and towel stations; cleaning and disinfectant stations; commissioning hardware and anchor kits.
Technical data
Fitness equipment technical specifications
Measured values, materials and tolerances used at quotation and verified at inspection.
Swipe table to see all columns →
| Item | Range | Tolerance | Material / core | Coating / finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bumper plate, competition | 5–25 kg | ±0.5% | Steel hub, virgin rubber | Colour-coded virgin rubber | 450 mm dia, 50 mm bore, low bounce |
| Bumper plate, training | 5–25 kg | ±1% | Steel hub, crumb rubber | Black crumb rubber | 450 mm dia, higher bounce |
| Cast iron plate | 1.25–25 kg | ±2% | Grey cast iron | Powder coat or rubber encase | 25 mm or 50 mm bore, tri-grip |
| Calibrated steel plate | 0.5–25 kg | ±10 g | Machined steel | Powder coat, colour coded | Competition powerlifting spec |
| Hex dumbbell | 1–50 kg | ±2% | Cast iron core | Rubber or urethane | Chrome or knurled steel handle |
| Kettlebell, cast | 4–48 kg | ±2% | Single-piece cast iron | Powder coat or e-coat | Smooth handle, flat base |
| Kettlebell, competition | 8–32 kg | ±1% | Hollow steel | Colour-coded paint | Uniform 33 mm handle and dimensions |
| Olympic bar, men's | 20 kg | ±0.5% | Alloy steel | Hard chrome, zinc or Cerakote | 2,200 mm, 28 mm grip, 300–700 MPa |
| Olympic bar, women's | 15 kg | ±0.5% | Alloy steel | Hard chrome or zinc | 2,010 mm, 25 mm grip |
| Power rack | Commercial | — | 75 × 75 mm, 3 mm wall | Powder coat over phosphate | 1,000 kg+ static rating |
| Power rack | Light commercial | — | 50 × 50 mm, 2 mm wall | Powder coat | 300–500 kg static rating |
| FID bench | Commercial | — | 50–75 mm frame steel | Powder coat, vinyl upholstery | Foam 40–55 kg/m³, 50 mm thick |
| Rubber flooring | 15–40 mm | ±1 mm | SBR crumb with EPDM top | Interlocking or roll | Density 900–1,100 kg/m³ |
Weight tolerance is verified by calibrated scale sampling at pre-shipment inspection. Fabricated equipment is quoted with section size, wall thickness and static load rating stated; a rack quoted without those three figures should not be bought.
Applications & markets
Fit-out configurations
Four typical container specifications, from a boutique studio to a full commercial gym. Each is a starting point we adjust to your floor plan.
Commercial gym fit-out
- Urethane or rubber-encased plates and dumbbells to 50 kg
- 75 mm section racks and rigs with commercial load ratings
- Plate-loaded stations and cable functional trainers
- Rubber tile flooring at 20–30 mm with deadlift platforms
- Complete storage: plate trees, dumbbell racks, bar holders
- Anchor hardware, layout drawing and assembly manuals
CrossFit & functional box
- Virgin rubber bumper plates with change and technique plates
- Needle-bearing Olympic bars, men's and women's
- Modular rigs with pull-up, dip and band attachments
- Wall balls, slam balls, sandbags, sleds and plyo boxes
- Battle ropes, kettlebells and competition kettlebell sets
- Heavy-duty 30–40 mm flooring under drop zones
Boutique studio & hotel
- Studio vinyl and neoprene dumbbells 0.5–10 kg
- Compact adjustable dumbbells and small-footprint benches
- Resistance bands, mats, foam rollers and small goods
- Aerobic steps, stability balls and pilates equipment
- Colour-coordinated finishes to interior specification
- Quiet-drop rubber flooring for shared buildings
Home fitness & retail
- Powder-coated and vinyl plate and dumbbell sets
- Spinlock adjustable dumbbells and standard bars
- Retail-boxed sets with printed cartons and barcodes
- Flat-pack benches and folding wall-mount racks
- Bands, ab wheels, ropes and grip accessories
- Parcel-safe packaging for direct-to-consumer shipping
Division in numbers
±10 g
Calibrated plate tolerance
Competition powerlifting spec
700 MPa
Top bar tensile rating
Alloy steel Olympic bars
26 t
Payload per 40' HC
Weight-limited, not volume-limited
45–60
Days to load
Fabricated commercial equipment
Quality assurance
Nothing leaves India until our own inspectors clear it
Akarta runs an in-house quality department with inspectors assigned to each division. Goods are checked at the factory during production and again before loading, against the written specification agreed on your purchase order — not against the factory's own grading.
- Pre-production sample approved by the buyer before bulk manufacture begins
- In-line checks during production for shade, calibration, dimension and moisture
- Pre-shipment inspection with photographic report before container sealing
- Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) arranged where required
ISO 9001:2015
Certified quality management system
Govt. approved
Registered Indian merchant exporter
In-house docs
Export paperwork prepared by our team
Packing & shipping
Packed the way your market receives it
Fitness equipment is the heaviest thing we ship and the most prone to rust and paint damage. Loading is planned for weight distribution and for the handling equipment available at your end.
- Plates palletised in weight-matched stacks, banded and shrink-wrapped with weight marked
- Dumbbells boxed in pairs and palletised, or racked and wrapped for direct floor placement
- Bars greased, VCI-wrapped, sleeved in tubes and crated in tens
- Racks and rigs knocked down, edge-protected, with hardware bagged and numbered to drawing
- Benches flat-packed with upholstery bagged separately to prevent vinyl scuffing
- Machines crated by module with cables coiled, tagged and pulleys protected
- Rubber flooring stacked flat on pallets by thickness and tile count
- Loading plan issued in advance with pallet weights for forklift and dock planning
Documentation
Paperwork prepared in-house, not outsourced
Every consignment travels with a complete document set, prepared by our own documentation team and checked against your letter of credit or contract terms before dispatch.
Weight verification report
Calibrated-scale sampling per plate, dumbbell and kettlebell SKU with measured values against marked weight and stated tolerance.
Material & fabrication certificate
Steel grade, section size, wall thickness, weld specification, hardware grade and stated static load rating for every fabricated item.
Coating & upholstery specification
Rubber or urethane type, durometer and bond test, powder-coat thickness in microns, foam density and thickness, vinyl weight and stitch detail.
Assembly & shipping set
Assembly manuals with numbered hardware, anchoring guidance, gym layout drawing, invoice, packing list with pallet weights and bill of lading.
Global reach
Quoted in your currency, shipped from your nearest Indian port
Enquiries reach us from importers, distributors, contractors and retail chains across five continents — Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. We quote FOB, CFR or CIF, load from Mundra, Kandla, Nhava Sheva or Pipavav depending on your routing, and keep one commercial contact accountable for the consignment from purchase order to bill of lading.
Africa
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa
Middle East
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq
Europe
Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom
Americas
United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile
Asia-Pacific
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan
Load ports
Mundra · Kandla · Pipavav · Nhava Sheva
Incoterms
FOB · CFR · CIF · EXW on request
Correspondence
English, with documentation to buyer-country requirements
Buyer questions
What importers usually ask us first
Why do plates need a stated tolerance?
Because uncoated tolerance claims are where cost is quietly removed. A 20 kg plate at ±2% can legally weigh 19.6 kg; a pair then loads a bar 800 g light. For general gym use that is irrelevant. For powerlifting and weightlifting it is not, which is why competition plates are calibrated to ±10 g and we sample-weigh every shipment on a calibrated scale rather than trusting the mould.
Virgin or crumb rubber bumpers?
Virgin rubber has lower bounce, far less odour, better colour stability and a much longer drop life — it is what a serious box or competition venue should buy. Crumb rubber costs roughly 25–40% less, smells noticeably for the first weeks and bounces more. For a school, hotel or light-commercial installation crumb is perfectly serviceable; under daily heavy dropping it is not.
How do we compare two racks that look identical?
Ask for three numbers: tube section, wall thickness and static load rating. A 50 × 50 mm 2 mm rack and a 75 × 75 mm 3 mm rack photograph the same and differ by a factor of three in what they safely hold. We state all three on every quotation, along with hole spacing, hardware grade and J-cup plate thickness.
Will the equipment rust in a humid or coastal market?
It will if you buy bare-steel or thin powder-coated goods. For humid, coastal and open-air installations we specify zinc or hard-chrome bars, e-coated or urethane weights, and phosphate pre-treatment under powder coat at a stated micron thickness. Bare-steel bars are excellent value in dry climates and a mistake anywhere near salt air.
How much equipment fits in a container?
Fitness is weight-limited rather than volume-limited: a 40 ft high cube reaches its payload of roughly 26 tonnes with plates and dumbbells while still half empty. The efficient load pattern is a dense base of free weights with light, bulky items — benches, flooring, mats, accessories — filling the space above. We plan the load at quotation so you are not paying for air or leaving payload unused.
Do you supply assembly support for a full gym?
Every fabricated item ships with an assembly manual and numbered hardware bags keyed to the drawing, and we supply a floor layout drawing for the ordered equipment. For larger commercial installations we can arrange supervision by an engineer from the manufacturing plant; that is quoted separately with travel and per-diem stated up front.
Common enquiries
Specifications buyers most often ask us to quote
These are the enquiries that reach this desk most weeks. If yours is on the list, we already have the grades, packing and loadability worked out — send the quantity and destination port and we will price it.
Also in this division
Related ranges
Export desk
Request a quotation
Send your product type, grade, quantity and destination port. Our export desk replies with available grades, packing options, loadability and indicative pricing — usually within one working day.