Top 7 Considerations for Buying a Sensory Gym

Purchasing a sensory gym for your therapy clinic, residence, hospital, or school can be a daunting task. We know! Most people will only look at brand-name equipment and think they must be the best without doing any sort of research. As you begin this journey, we encourage you to do your research. If you have any questions about purchasing a sensory gym and want to have honest and direct conversations, we’d welcome the opportunity to provide you with our expertise.

01

CONSIDER THE REPUTATION OF A SUPPLIER OR MANUFACTURER

With a variety of DIY contractors and various manufacturers in the sensory gym design market, it’s hard to distinguish between genuine and fake products especially with most sales being done online. Therefore, conducting thorough research and refining your list of potential manufacturers is crucial before committing to any purchases. Connecting with individuals who possess expertise in therapy equipment or reaching out to organizations like the STAR Institute, renowned for its research on sensory processing disorder, can provide invaluable insights. As authorities in the field of sensory processing, these groups can furnish you with the necessary knowledge regarding manufacturers and their equipment.

A good sensory gym designer and manufacturer will be able to offer you a wide variety of designs and customized options focused on a very specific target market. Having a wide variety of options to choose from allows you, the customer, the flexibility to analyze the proposed sensory gym design, architectural renderings, sensory gym versatility, and the expertise of the designer and manufacturer.

02

SENSORY GYM QUALITY

Quality is key in the therapy world, especially when your business model depends on it for success and accuracy. ISO certification and warranties determine the ultimate quality of a product. ISO certification is performed by external certification bodies, which are not the company or the manufacturer and provides independent confirmation of competence. As mentioned earlier, reaching out to a nonprofit can often provide very valuable insight into the quality of the therapy equipment or the manufacturer as they often engage in various research studies or even first-hand use.

03

TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW

Technical knowledge is one aspect you cannot overlook when purchasing any type of sensory equipment. If the supplier’s support technicians cannot provide you with the proper training materials, how can you be assured that the sensory equipment you're purchasing can be correctly setup and maintained. The quality of your sensory equipment directly depends on the knowledge of the sensory equipment repair and maintenance technicians. Proper technical expertise leads to having a productive and profitable hospital or clinic with little to no downtime.

04

FUNCTIONALITY

Quality should be your number one priority when it comes to purchasing any piece of sensory equipment. But is quality sensory equipment really that quality if you have no idea how it functions and everyone says it’s extremely hard to use? Knowing and understanding the equipment’s functionality should be quite easy for the most part and if it’s not then make sure you request training and a manual for future use. We would advise anyone looking into buying any equipment to look over the user manual to make sure the equipment performs to your satisfaction and is understandable.

05

TESTING AND REVIEWS

The best suppliers or manufacturers are the ones who pride themselves in customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is achieved by the equipment and services meeting the demands and budget of the client. A supplier who is committed to customer satisfaction will even go so far as to recommend banks who deal directly with asset financing so you can be assured your facility is getting the best equipment possible.
Past customers are generally quite eager to post reviews about their experiences, whether positive or negative, with a supplier or manufacturer. Take a moment to research the reviews for the company you are considering doing business with. Great customer service generally leads to positive reviews.

06

AFTER SALES SERVICE

Regardless of the quality of the sensory equipment, there is always a good probability that a problem will occur within the first 30-90 days. Ranging from a simple adjustment to a major component replacement, the support you receive after purchase and installation will affect your purchase satisfaction. Always get the warranty in writing and fill out and send in any warranty cards that come from the supplier or manufacturer. Response times, clinical support, and emergency numbers to call are the best way to ensure smooth operations.

07

DISCOVER HOW A SENSORY GYM WILL ENHANCE YOUR PATIENTS’ THERAPY

A pediatric therapist can use a sensory integration therapy gym in many ways to help a patient during a therapy session. This therapy gym typically consists of a variety of equipment and toys that are used to stimulate the patient’s senses. One way a pediatric therapist could use a sensory integration therapy gym is to incorporate different forms of tactile stimulation. This could include things like a crash pad, bean bags, or even a trampoline. The therapist can use these items to help the patient explore different textures and pressure points, helping them learn how to respond to different stimuli.

...balls, hula hoops, ropes, and swings, the therapist can help the patient learn how to move their body in different ways.

Another way a pediatric therapist can use a sensory integration therapy gym is to help the patient with their motor skills. By providing a variety of toys, such as balls, hula hoops, ropes, and swings, the therapist can help the patient learn how to move their body in different ways. This can help the patient gain better control over their movements and improve their coordination.

The therapist can also use the sensory integration therapy gym to help the patient with their proprioception. This refers to the patient’s ability to sense where their body is in space and how it is moving. By having the patient move around different objects, such as mats, foam blocks, and ladders, the therapist can help the patient become more aware of their body and its movements.

Finally, the therapist can use the sensory integration therapy gym to help the patient with their vestibular processing. This refers to the patient’s ability to sense movement, balance, and orientation. By having the patient move around and interact with different pieces of equipment, such as a rocking chair, a seesaw, or a trampoline, the therapist can help the patient learn how to respond to different forms of movement.

Overall, a sensory integration therapy gym can be a great tool for pediatric therapists to use during a patient’s therapy session. By providing a variety of activities and toys that can stimulate the patient’s senses, the therapist can help the patient learn to better respond to their environment and improve their overall motor skills.