Risks

When you request a quote, it is common that customers compare several factories. Since DHZ has been supplying gyms across Europe since 2014, you can be confident that you have made the right choice with us.

To help share and reduce risks on your side, the following points explain why choosing our equipment provides long‑term security and value.

Many factories lack experience and knowledge regarding patents, European safety requirements, biomechanics, and standard sizing. Therefore, here are some key points you should consider before placing an order with any factory in China.

Key customers we have served

DHZ Europe sold succesfully to big european and german chains like Mcfit, Fitness First, Wellyou, Holmes Place, Easyfitness, fit+, Fitomat and many more, but also countless governement tenders.

You can see and try DHZ machines in many Gym across Europe, ensuring the machines provide the function and quality youre looking for.

You are also welcome to see and try our products in our european 700sqm Showroom in Berlin-Adlershof close to BER Airport Showroom – DHZ GIGAFACTORY DISTRIBUTION.

Risk (1) missing or invalid certifications

Any party purchasing equipment from a source outside Europe is considered the importer and bears full responsibility for ensuring that the products comply with European market standards as regulated under ISO EN 20957. This obligation rests solely with the importer. Any assurances provided by the factory have no legal value, and all documents supplied must be independently verified by the importer.

It is often joked that some CE markings stand for ‘China Export,’ meaning they are not necessarily genuine. Many counterfeit or misleading certifications exist, so CE labels should never be accepted at face value without proper verification.

What does that mean? To import products into the European Union, datasheets containing assembly instructions and training guidance are required and may be requested for verification, in addition to CE certifications. During any inspection—such as customs checks—you may be denied import into the European Union or required to remove all equipment during subsequent official inspections, including those triggered by competitor reports.

In the event of an injury to any member, you are fully responsible for all associated costs, and in the case of a serious injury, additional liabilities may apply.

Risk (2) patent issues

Any party purchasing equipment from outside Europe must ensure that the products do not infringe on existing brand patents. Using equipment that is not patent-compliant can lead to costly lawsuits from the patent holder and may require removal or destruction of the infringing equipment.

Risk (3) Miscalculation

You may lack experience in understanding the true costs of importing a container, the necessary steps involved, and the additional expenses surrounding the process.
Tasks such as unloading a container, unpacking, and assembling equipment on-site require skilled teams. Even experienced professionals face significant challenges when installing low-end Chinese equipment—especially for the first time.

Risk (4) Wrong Biomechanics

Chinese people have other bodysizes, so some manufacturers dont produce or copy the machines correct, so the risk of missing adjustments to european bodysizes or total unusable biomechanics is there. Even you visit a factory, you will hardly be able to see and try the full range of machines you want to buy.

Risk (5): Poor Quality

Many buyers choose Chinese factories for one reason—low prices.

To stay competitive, most factories prioritize cost-cutting, primarily serving low-end markets with far lower quality expectations than European customers.
Consequently, you may face numerous technical issues, some of which could be impossible to resolve. Even if you manage to clear customs and assemble the equipment, some machines may still be unusable.

After some usage poor bearings or bad welding may occcur, opening the real quality of machines that looked so great on the pictures online.

Risk (6) Service and Maintenance

Industry professionals focus on one critical factor: how well the equipment performs in daily operations and how quickly downtime can be resolved. Customer satisfaction is paramount—members share negative experiences online almost instantly, which can seriously impact your success.

How quickly will you be able to access spare parts? Even if the supplier promises to include some in your shipment, how can you know which ones you’ll need? How fast can you order additional parts, and what level of service can you expect from the factory? There are many cautionary tales about these challenges.

Risk (7) Underestimated Stress and Potential Failure

Sometimes we think we know everything, but reality often proves otherwise. If your goal is to earn money by running a gym—focus on that.

Setting up a gym involves far more than you expect: renovations, permits, and countless details. It’s a stressful process that requires coordination with multiple service providers—whose performance is never guaranteed. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ensure everything gets done.

Seven Risks for Your Upcoming Business – Are You Sure You’re Ready to Face Them?

Failing to import your products due to missing documentation or patent violations can result in an empty gym on opening day—creating a severe negative impact before your business even starts.
To mitigate miscalculation risks, ensure you have sufficient financial resources to cover unexpected costs without jeopardizing project completion.

Poor biomechanics, low-quality equipment, or lack of maintenance and service can quickly damage your gym’s reputation on social media, slowing or even halting member acquisition. Replacing equipment may not be possible quickly and will incur additional costs, requiring extra financial reserves.

Finally, personal stress during setup can limit your ability to manage operations effectively, reducing your chances of long-term success.

Now, let’s explore why DHZ is the clear choice for your business.

Advantage (1) Buy from the world’s largest commercial fitness Factory!

The DHZ factories cover a total area of nearly 600,000 sqm and operate around 1,000 welding robots. Our equipment is displayed in two state-of-the-art showrooms covering 13,000 sqm. This scale reflects the trust of countless customers who have already chosen us.

Advantage (2) Stay safe

Visit and experience DHZ equipment for yourself—feel the quality and see if it’s the right fit for your project. Our team will help you select the perfect equipment, locate the nearest showroom where you can touch and try, and provide a quote you’ll find hard to refuse.

Advantage (3) Enjoy Spare Parts Availability

With our solution, the most frequently needed spare parts stay in your gym—making everyday fixes quick and easy. For anything else, enjoy fast access to our centralized European hub in Germany, where the full range of spare parts is always available.

Advantage (4) Work with the pros—you won’t regret it!

The complete package—from 3D gym planning to booking for a supervisor during the installation—plus expert advice on why and which equipment is the right choice for you.
We provide full support for all equipment-related needs directly here in Europe.

Ready?

We’d be happy to explore this in more detail with you in a personal conversation.

Your DHZ GIGAFACTORY Sales Team