Nice idea — vending machines that combine fitness accessories with drinks can be very convenient in gyms, studios, sports fields, office towers and transport hubs. Below is a compact, practical guide to the types of machines, what to stock, operations and how to get started.

Quick summary

• Two common formats: (1) refrigerated combo snack/drink machines that also carry small fitness items, and (2) locker/parcel-style or e‑dispense machines for bulkier accessories.
• Best products: single‑use or small durable items that solve immediate needs (hydration, recovery, convenience).
• Key success factors: right location, reliable refrigeration/temperature control for drinks, cashless payments & telemetry, sensible pricing and frequent restocking.

1. Machine types and features

• Refrigerated combo machines (drinks + snacks): standard choice if drinks are core. Use spiral or tray mechanisms; some have a mixed-size tray or adjustable columns for accessories.
• Multi-compartment/locker machines: good for larger items (foam rollers, larger bands, shoes). Items are placed in lockers that open on purchase.
• Bulk vending/custom dispensers: good for selling items like wrist straps, earphones, single-use supplements or protein bars in grab-and-go packaging.
• Touchscreen kiosks: can upsell, collect email/member IDs or integrate with a gym’s membership system.
• Must-have features: cashless/NFC payments (card, Apple Pay/Google Pay), telemetry/remote stock & sales reporting, adjustable shelving, refrigeration (for drinks), and sturdy vandal-resistant cabinet.

2. Product ideas (small, quick-purchase items) Fitness accessories

• Resistance bands (light/medium/heavy) — compact, packaged.
• Mini foam rollers or massage balls.
• Hand towels / sweat bands / headbands.
• Grip trainers / finger exercisers.
• Water bottles (reusable or single-use).
• Athletic socks, shoe laces, disposable shoe covers.
• Tape, kinesiology tape wraps, small first-aid kits.
• Earbuds/earphones, phone armbands, small phone chargers.
• Gym gloves, weightlifting straps (compact versions).

Drinks & consumables

• Bottled water (various sizes).
• Electrolyte / sports drinks.
• Ready-to-drink protein shakes (refrigerated).
• Cold-pressed juices, smoothies (if local demand and shelf-life support).
• Caffeinated RTD drinks (pre-workout style) — check ingredient/label rules.
• Single-serve recovery shots (collagen, BCAA, tart cherry) — watch regulatory labelling.
• Healthy snacks: protein bars, nut mixes, jerky — choose higher-protein items.

3. Pricing & margins (rules of thumb)

• Price convenience premium over retail: ~25–100% more depending on location and item.
• Target gross margin per item 30–60% after product cost; drinks often lower margin than accessories.
• Use dynamic pricing for peak times (e.g., higher price near class start times).

4. Location strategy

• Best: inside/adjacent to busy gyms, boutique studios, university gyms, sports stadium concourses, corporate wellness centres, transit hubs, large apartment buildings with amenity rooms, beaches and public sports fields (weatherproofing required).
• Negotiate placement agreements with venue owners/management — offer revenue share, fixed rent, or free machine in exchange for commission.
• Foot traffic patterns and demographics matter (e.g., a high-end studio may support premium products).

5. Operations & maintenance

• Restocking frequency: daily to weekly depending on traffic; drinks need refrigeration checks.
• Remote telemetry: essential for tracking sales, temperatures, and reducing stockouts.
• Cleaning & hygiene: regular cleaning schedule, especially for touchscreens and drink dispensing.
• Security: bolt machine to floor/wall, CCTV if in unsecured area. Insurance & product liability cover recommended.
• Waste & recycling: provide clearly labelled recycling for bottles where possible; some venues require it.

6. Regulations & compliance (Australia context)

• Food safety & labelling: refrigerated ready-to-drink items and unpackaged food may be subject to state/territory food safety rules — check your local council and state food authority.
• Ingredients & health claims: avoid making unverified health claims on labels/marketing for supplements. If selling supplements, ensure compliant labelling and ingredients.
• Business registrations, GST and product liability insurance: standard checks before trading.

7. Technology & payments

• Offer card, contactless, mobile wallet and optionally app-based payments (QR codes).
• Telemetry platforms: real-time sales, temperature alerts, remote pricing updates and reporting reduce downtime.
• Loyalty / membership integration: in-gym machines can accept member codes or integrate with gym apps for discounts.

8. Estimated capital & returns (very approximate)

• Machine purchase: simple used machines can start ~AU$2–8k; new refrigerated/combo machines typically AU$8–25k+ depending on features. Leasing options are common.
• Initial inventory + setup: AU$500–3k depending on scale.
• Monthly running costs: restocking inventory, electricity (refrigeration), network fees for telemetry/payments, maintenance.
• Revenue per machine: highly location dependent — could be a few hundred to several thousand AUD/month in busy premium locations. Treat estimates conservatively and model per-location.

9. Suppliers & partners

• Look for vending machine manufacturers & dealers (new and used) in your state; consider companies offering installation, warranty and telemetry.
• Drink distributors / beverage wholesalers for cost-effective product supply; local dairy/juice suppliers for fresh RTDs.
• Fitness accessory wholesalers or private-label suppliers for branded items.
• Consider partnering with the gym or studio brand for co-branded products.

10. Launch checklist (practical next steps)

• Choose target location(s) and secure placement agreement.
• Decide on machine format (refrigerated combo vs locker vs hybrid).
• Source machines (buy, lease or white-label provider).
• Select product mix, order initial inventory, price items.
• Set up cashless payment & telemetry.
• Register business, check local food/supplement labelling requirements, obtain insurance.
• Install, test vend reliability & temperature control, set cleaning/restock schedule.
• Promote in-venue (signage, launch offer, staff training).

If you’d like, I can:

• suggest a specific product mix and price list for one machine type (e.g., gym combo fridge), or
• draft a short placement agreement template or a profit projection spreadsheet, or
• search for vending machine suppliers and wholesalers in your city (I can look up local vendors if you want — tell me your city).