When it comes to investing in fitness equipment, there are many different retailers you can look to for your fitness shopping. You can shop online at a specific store’s website, you can physically shop in person at a fitness or big box store, or you can go right to a product manufacturer.

Regardless of the variety of options that are available to you, it is always important to ask yourself some simple questions:

• Is my investment fitting into my budget? 
• Am I going to get a good return on the equipment I buy?
• Will I reach my fitness goals with my purchase? 
• And am I purchasing equipment from a reputable brand or supplier?

Akfit and Canadian Tire are two retailers of fitness equipment that you may choose between. While these retailers sell similar product types, they each have something unique to offer in their product selection and services. So which retailer is right for you?

This blog post will cover a transparent comparison between the two companies and the services they offer.

In this article:

1) Who is Akfit?

2) Akfit Product Selection

3) Akfit Services

4) Who is Canadian Tire?

5) Canadian Tire Product Selection (Fitness Equipment)

6) Canadian Tire Fitness Services

7) Similarities and Differences

8) Moving Forward with Your Fitness Goals at Akfit

Who Is Akfit?

Akfit is a specialty fitness store that operates out of Sudbury, Ontario and has been serving consumer and commercial clients in Northern Ontario since 1989. Akfit’s full service distribution center is located at 2335 Lasalle Boulevard and showcases a large selection of products and parts to better serve our clients.

One of Akfit’s goals is to present information that customers can benefit from. By sharing insights on a wide range of exercise-related topics, services, and products, we hope readers will be able to make informed decisions as they move along their individual fitness journeys.

Akfit Product Selection

As a specialty fitness store, it won’t come as any surprise that when you are looking for any fitness related answers that Akfit is a company that is more than willing to help you with any of your fitness needs. 

While Akfit offers a wide array of fitness equipment for anyone looking to meet their needs, we also serve commercial gym clients and offer virtual meetings so that our fitness experts can specialize in specifically helping you.

Our Products

Akfit houses a large inventory of fitness equipment for home and commercial gyms. These products include….

• Cardio equipment for consumer or commercial use such as treadmills, ellipticals, spin bikes, upright bikes, dual action bikes, recumbent bikes, rowers, climbmills, ascent trainers and steppers. As well as accessories for your cardio equipment such as mats, consoles, and other attachments.
• Strength training equipment for consumer or commercial use such as strength machines, racks & cages, weight plates, kettlebells, bars & collars, power blocks, benches, and accessories for strength training.
• Accessory fitness equipment specialized for your specific goals such as exercise balls, yoga equipment and pilates, MMA & boxing training equipment, instructional guides, bands & tubing, balance and stability products, recovery & wellness products, and sport goggles.
• Functional and conditioning equipment which includes clubs & maces, weight vests, chin up bars and rings, tanks & sleds, suspension training equipment, battle ropes, and personal massagers.
• And other gym supplies such as exercise mats, commercial gym flooring, cleaning & maintenance kits, and storage equipment such as racks and holders for weights, plates, dumbbells, exercise balls, etc.

Our products also come from a wide variety of reputable fitness brands that include…..

Akfit Services

As a store that specializes in fitness and helping our clientele meet their fitness goals, we also offer a variety of services to work directly with you to help you narrow down your decisions on your future fitness equipment investments.

Service Centre

Our online service centre is set up to encourage you to reach out to us for professional advice. Our fitness experts will work directly with you for whichever your fitness goals or needs may be. 

Virtual Consultations

We highly suggest that you reach out to us to book a virtual meeting. 

Commercial Gym Services

We also specialize in helping you set up your commercial and home gym setups.

Delivery & Installation

Our qualified fitness product technicians will also install and deliver your equipment, but also we will show you how to safely use and maintain your equipment. You can even request a delivery here. The cost of your delivery will depend on the delivery method of your product, the address, and the difficulty of your delivery. 

Refund Policy

Akfit also has a refund policy. This policy differs from which product you have purchased and if the products have been used or not. In most cases, if your equipment has not been used and remains packaged with proof of purchase after 7 days it can be eligible for return. However, it is best to read through our refund policy before ultimately going through with your purchase. In other cases, manufacturer warranties may apply.

Warranty Plans

Akfit offers a variety of equipment that is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. These protection plans usually include labour, parts, and the frame of your equipment. All coverage on your fitness equipment varies from product to product. 

Learning Centre

Finally, we at Akfit are proud to offer to you, our reader and client our free online learning centre. 

Akfit’s learning centre is your fitness database to help answer any questions you may have regarding your fitness related questions. From comparisons, to reviews, the learning centre features an array of knowledgeable blog posts to help educate you as transparently as possible to help you reach your fitness goals and narrow down your future potential fitness investments.  

Who Is Canadian Tire?

Canadian Tire is a Canadian retail company that holds locations from coast to coast to coast across Canada. 

Canadian Tire offers a wide array of services and products that cater to many different needs. While Canadian Tire does offer fitness equipment, they also sell clothing, automotive parts, sporting goods, and home hardware equipment.

Canadian Tire also offers financial services such as the Canadian Tire Bank which is their credit card issuing extension of the company.

Another division of Canadian Tire is their petroleum division. Referred to as Canadian Tire Petroleum (CTP), this division of the company operates gas stations and car washes, and in Ontario CTP also offers pit stops to provide services such as oil changes and rust checks.

Canadian Tire Product Selection (Fitness Equipment)

Canadian Tire offers a wide range of products, with an emphasis on automotive products, petroleum, and financing services. With this, they also provide a quality range of fitness equipment for your home gym and an online guide to help you set up your home gym.

Some fitness equipment that Canadian Tire offers includes….

• Cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, rowers, and mini steppers.
• Strength training equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, weight plates, power blocks, weightlifting bars, benches, and other weight training accessories.
• Accessory fitness equipment that includes yoga equipment and pilates, boxing & MMA training equipment, exercise balls, exercise mats, balance platforms, jump ropes, reflective gear, fitness trampolines, water bottles and supplements.
• Functional and conditioning equipment such as resistance bands, agility training equipment, chin up bars, push up handles.
• And recovery equipment such as foam rollers, soft tissue and massage equipment, inversion and massage tables, braces, and athletic tape.

Canadian Tire’s fitness products also come in a wide variety of brands that can be summarized into…..

Given that Canadian Tire has multiple stores across Canada, it is best to check their online inventory to ensure that the product or brand that you want is in-stock. Some items may only be available in specific stores and depending on your location shipping charges may vary.

Canadian Tire Fitness Services

Canadian Tire offers a variety of services, but for the purpose of this retailer comparison, we will focus on their services retailed to their fitness product selection.

Home Gym Planning Guide

Canadian Tire’s fitness section is more geared towards helping you with your home gym needs, compared to commercial gym centres. In fact, they offer an online home gym planning guide as well as some fitness tips to help you prepare for working out in a home environment.

Video Tutorial Guides

Canadian Tire also offers a few video tutorial guides on their website to help you narrow down your selection of fitness equipment you want to invest in for your home gym such as this example here on how to choose your treadmill.

Delivery & Installation

Depending on which type of fitness equipment you choose to buy, Canadian Tire products are available for in-store pickup or online delivery. Canadian Tire also offers professional installation on select products. 

The cost of delivery and installation varies depending on the product and installation requirements, but on average you can expect to pay a $150 installation fee. 

Return/Refund Policy

Canadian Tire does have their own return/refund policy on fitness, or non-fitness related products, that you choose to purchase. 

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the return policy may differ depending on your location. It’s best to check out Canadian Tire’s refund policy to ensure that you are going to have protection on what you invest in.

Warranty Plans

However some products may include manufacturer’s warranties as well. Warranties usually cover manufacturer’s defects, frames, parts, and labor. These warranties can vary from product to product and Canadian Tire encourages you to visit them in store for details regarding any protection plan on your equipment. 

Major Similarities & Differences Between Akfit & Canadian Tire

Similarities

• Both Akfit and Canadian Tire provide a variety of fitness equipment.
• Akfit and Canadian Tire both sell equipment from NordicTrack, Horizon, and Proform.
• Both Akfit and Canadian Tire sell equipment in different price ranges.
• Akfit and Canadian Tire offer both delivery and installation services.
• Both Akfit and Canadian Tire provide advice on how to set up your home gym.
• Akfit and Canadian Tire are both Canadian companies.

Differences

• Canadian Tire has multiple locations across Canada while Akfit operates out of Sudbury.
• Akfit also specializes in helping you set up your commercial gym.
• Akfit offers virtual meetings, consultations, and an online learning centre to help you reach your fitness goals. While Canadian Tire offers videos on helping you narrow down your product choices per category. 
• Delivery and inventory may different depending on which Canadian Tire store you are shopping at, while Akfit only operates one showroom.
• Canadian Tire offers more supplement options than Akfit. 

Let us Help You Reach Your Goals at Akfit

So there you have it! Throughout this article we have aimed to be as transparent as possible and help you narrow down your choices.

Now with a detailed comparison of Akfit and Canadian Tire, you are now equipped with the information necessary to choose which retailer best suits your needs and preferences. 

If you have chosen to proceed with Akfit, our fitness experts are more than willing to help you reach your fitness goals.

You can book a virtual meeting with us, or even visit us in store. We are here to help you!