Watson Gym Equipment Review

Who are Watson the gym brand?

Watson is an equipment focused brand as opposed to apparel, and their gaze is fixed on resistance kit and not really cardio/motion machines. Their range includes calibrated dumbbells, lifting platforms and highly engineered products. For this reason, they are more often found in gyms that attend to weightlifters, over those which grab your membership dues, offer loads of treadmills and throw you a water bottle.

What are the origins of Watson?

Nice little story this. Simon Watson is the founder, he doesn’t live a million miles away from my fellow Barbells Abroad founder Lee, over in Somerset, and as a younger man loved weightlifting, as well as making things. In his garage some 2-3 decades ago, he started making bespoke gym equipment and selling some of it. That built the reputation regionally in the UK of Watson Gym Equipment, these days, you’ll see them around the globe.

Where is Watson gym equipment made?

From their manufacturing and business HQ in Frome, Somerset; Watson gym equipment is both designed and built in the UK. On the Watson estate are full training facilities, enabling purchasers to sample a huge range of the Watson brand; plus it looks great for influencer shots I bet too. 

It’s in our diary to visit – it looks pretty epic. 

Where will you find Watson

Much like Panatta, Watson is a little more specialist. For gyms that like to select the right machine for the right task, you’ll likely see their name plates dotted around. One of the UK’s best gyms ‘Dedicated Fitness’, in Merseyside, is fully Watson’d out. It looks magic and with the number of Youtube/Tiktok influencers that train in that place, it’s a good pairing for the brand. 

You won’t see Watson in the Argos catalogue, and if you have their kit in a home gym, you’re living nice.

Is Watson gym equipment expensive or cheap?

• Watson scores a higher purchase point for new vs Technogym

With a lifetime seal of approval, you are going to pay more for Watson Gym Equipment than brands such as Mirafit, Body Solid or Primal Strength. But with that higher price is a product that anecdotally appears more resilient. 

If you are kitting out a home gym then you may not ever inflict the wear and tear something like Watson may protect you from. In that instance, then you may consider it expensive. It’s possibly more than you need. However, if you’re opening or refitting a gym with a stream of lifting fans, you are going to want equipment that needs replacing less frequently – Watson may work out cheaper long term. 

And if all else fails and you have to shut a gym down, you’ll find it easier to find buyers for Watson gear than a Mirafit power rack. The latter is a Facebook Marketplace special, the former will find its way into another gym pretty quickly. This resale value is important, as it tells you the quick asset value of the brand. 

Big entry price, but big exit price too.

Pros: What does Watson do well?

• Good secondary market for their premium equipment
• Excellent customer service and lifetime support
• Credible brand in the bodybuilding subculture
• Engineering – Innovation is in the DNA of the company
• Quality equipment
• Specialist strength training equipment for bigger lifters – big back rests, foot places etc
• Customisable – branding – powder coat – stitching colour

Cons: What does Watson do less well?

• Higher price point than mainstream commercial brands
• Some leg press editions have no catches
• Fairly narrow dumbbell grips