Top 5 Features to Look for in Gym Laundry Equipment

In the fitness industry, laundry is a daily operational necessity. Towels, mats, uniforms, and member gear pile up quickly, and your laundry equipment must keep up. Reliable, high-performance washers and dryers ensure you always have clean, fresh items ready when members need them.

Running a gym means dealing with a lot of laundry. It can feel like a nearly constant cycle of towels and cleaning cloths. Choosing the right laundry equipment that can actually keep up makes a real difference. When turnaround time, cleanliness, and overall costs are at stake, it’s important to get it right. The team at Coin-O-Matic, in Alsip, IL, has helped gyms and athletic organizations across the Midwest find machines that handle the pace of daily use without slowing their teams down.

Here are the top five features to look for when investing in commercial laundry equipment for your gym.

1. Large Capacity for Heavy Towel & Gear Turnover

Gyms generate high volumes of laundry every single day, including towels, microfiber cloths, floor mats, staff uniforms, personal-training gear, and more. Your machines need to keep up with this constant throughput.

Look for equipment that offers:

• Large-capacity washers and dryers capable of handling bulk loads

• High-use designs built for multiple back-to-back cycles

• Fast loading and unloading access to keep staff moving efficiently

Whether you run a boutique studio or a large fitness center, larger capacity = fewer loads, faster turnaround, and less staff time spent managing laundry.

Coin-O-Matic Tip: Speed Queen and Miele both offer excellent high-capacity commercial machines that withstand heavy daily use. Trusted even by high-volume clients like the Chicago Bears and Planet Fitness.

2. Fast Cycle Times & High Extraction Speeds

Time is everything in a gym laundry room. You can’t afford to wait hours for towels to be cleaned and dried.

Efficient commercial washers offer:

• High G-force extraction that removes more water during the final spin

• Shorter dry times result in lower energy costs and get your laundry done faster

• Fast wash cycles without sacrificing cleaning performance

High extraction speeds are crucial for gyms because they reduce drying time, minimize bottlenecks, and allow you to process more laundry in less time.

Why this matters: Faster cycles = more available towels, fewer delays, and a better member experience.

3. Durability Built for Tough, High-Stress Loads

As you know, gym laundry is different. You’re dealing with heaps of sweat-soaked towels, fabric with deodorant or oil residue, and high-performance materials that need special wash and dry cycles. Add in how much laundry you need to do every day, and it’s easy to see why lighter laundry equipment wears out fast.

At the gym, your laundry machines must be:

• Commercial-grade

• Built with heavy-duty parts like drums, bearings, and motor systems

• Designed to withstand constant usage

Speed Queen and Miele machines are engineered specifically for this level of abuse, meaning your gym can run as many loads as needed without worrying about breakdowns. When it comes to gym laundry, the old saying holds true: investing in durable equipment saves money in the long run by cutting down on repairs, downtime, and replacements.

4. Energy & Water Efficiency for Lower Operating Costs

Commercial laundry can be expensive to operate, especially when it comes to energy and water. Equipment with high-efficiency features helps reduce your costs.

Investing in the right. high-efficiency gym laundry equipment allows you to:

• Use less water per load

• Dry your laundry faster, and with less energy use

• Cut down on wasted time and resources with optimized cycle programming 

• Reduce your overall utility costs

For gyms working with tight margins or trying to keep membership fees competitive, those savings matter.

5. Fabric-Specific Controls & Hygiene Features

People choose your gym for a lot of reasons, but they have basic expectations of finding fresh towels and clean gear. Getting the right laundry equipment in place makes it easier to meet those expectations every day. Machines that offer strong sanitizing options or work with added disinfection systems can make a noticeable difference in cleanliness. Over time, this kind of consistency helps extend the life of your textiles and gives your space a more professional feel.

Why In-House Laundry Makes Sense for High-Volume Gyms

In the gym industry, especially among large franchise operators, efficiency and cleanliness go hand in hand. High Value Low Price (HVLP) gym models like Planet Fitness are built around delivering a clean, consistent experience while tightly managing operating costs. Cleanliness is closely monitored and regularly audited, making reliable laundry operations a critical part of daily store management.

For many gyms, bringing laundry in-house supports both goals. Instead of outsourcing towel and cleaning cloth services, gyms can maintain better control over hygiene standards while reducing long-term costs. By installing quality commercial laundry equipment from trusted brands like Speed Queen or Miele, facilities can handle towels, mop heads, and cleaning materials on-site, without sacrificing performance or consistency.

Because commercial machines are designed for heavy, repetitive use, gyms often recoup their initial investment faster than expected. Durable construction, high-capacity performance, and robust manufacturer warranties help ensure longevity and reliability, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacement. Over time, insourcing laundry becomes not just a cleanliness upgrade but a cost-saving operational strategy.

Why Work With Coin-O-Matic for Gym Laundry Equipment?

We work with fitness centers, gyms, and workout studios throughout the Midwest, with happy customers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Our goal is always to help you create laundry rooms that match your day-to-day demands. Our team helps you select the right machines, recommends durable brands like Speed Queen and Miele, and makes sure everything fits your space, sanitation needs, and fabric mix. And because we provide local, responsive service, you can count on long-term reliability.

From franchise gyms to boutique studios, CrossFit boxes, and full athletic facilities, we help keep your operation running smoothly and your members stocked with fresh, clean towels and gear.

Ready to Upgrade Your Gym’s Laundry Equipment?

Reliable laundry equipment keeps your facility clean, efficient, and member-ready. If you’re planning a new laundry room or upgrading older machines, visit our team in Alsip, IL! We’re here to help you select the best commercial washers and dryers for your gym’s needs.

Contact us today to get customized recommendations for your fitness facility.