Short answer
Atlantis is a Canadian strength equipment maker founded in 1982 by bodybuilding champion Raymond Sansoucy. It is family-owned and designs, builds and tests everything in Laval, Quebec. Lifters rate it for very sturdy machines that handle extremely heavy loads. Its lateral raise machines are especially loved by bodybuilders. Filter the GymMaps map by Brands, then Atlantis, to find gyms with it.
Atlantis at a glance
| Founded | 1982, by Raymond Sansoucy |
| Country | Canada (Laval, Quebec) |
| Ownership | Family-owned |
| Known for | Heavy-duty plate-loaded machines, lateral raise machines |
| Main lines | Precision Series, Power Series |
| Best for | Bodybuilding and heavy strength work |
Built by a bodybuilder
Raymond Sansoucy was a Canadian bodybuilding champion before he was a manufacturer. He founded Atlantis in 1982 because he wanted equipment strong people could train on hard, without machines breaking down or needing constant repairs.
Atlantis has been at its current headquarters in Laval, just outside Montreal, since 1998. Around 150 people design, make and test the machines there, and the range has grown to more than 240 products. The company remains family-owned, and in 2025 described itself as the largest Canadian manufacturer of strength equipment.
Why lifters love Atlantis
Tough enough for very heavy loads
Atlantis plate-loaded machines are known for being extremely sturdy. They are built to take far more weight than most lifters will ever load, and they feel planted even when you are moving a lot of plates. That durability goes straight back to the founder’s original aim.
Biomechanics respected by coaches
The machines have a strong reputation among strength coaches for their movement paths. The late Charles Poliquin, one of the best-known strength coaches of his era, praised Atlantis for its biomechanics.
The lateral raise machines
If Atlantis has one cult item, it is the lateral raise. The standing E-252 has independent arms, so each shoulder works on its own, and the seated E-157 is another favourite. Bodybuilders often go looking for gyms just to use one, because a good lateral raise machine is rare and dumbbells lose tension at the bottom of the movement.
Atlantis product lines
- Precision Series: one of the two main Atlantis ranges.
- Power Series: heavy strength equipment, including the Power Squat Pro (PW611), launched in 2025.
Atlantis makes a broad range beyond these, from leg extensions like the C-105 to benches and racks. On GymMaps, photos on each gym’s page show which machines it actually has. If you are hunting for rare kit, our guide to legendary bodybuilding machines covers more machines worth travelling for.
Signature Atlantis kit to look for
| Kit | Why it is worth finding |
|---|---|
| E-252 Standing Lateral Raise | Independent arms and constant tension on the side delts. The machine bodybuilders seek out. |
| E-157 Seated Lateral Raise | A seated alternative that locks you in place so the shoulders do all the work. |
| Plate-loaded machines | Very sturdy machines made for heavy loading. The reason Atlantis has such a following. |
| Power Squat Pro (PW611) | A 2025 plate-loaded squat machine from the Power Series. |
| C-105 Leg Extension | A well-regarded Atlantis leg extension. |
How to find a gym with Atlantis equipment
Brand matters more than most people think. The same exercise can feel completely different on two machines, and if you have built your training around one brand at home, a gym full of it abroad means you can pick up exactly where you left off.
- Open GymMaps and go to the map.
- Tap Filters and scroll to Brands.
- Select Atlantis. The map now only shows gyms where members have tagged Atlantis equipment.
- Open a gym to see photos of the actual machines, the full equipment list and day pass prices.
Equipment lists come from the GymMaps community, so if you train somewhere with Atlantis kit that is not listed yet, add it. It takes a minute and earns you points.
The short version: Atlantis is a bodybuilder’s brand, built by a champion bodybuilder in Quebec to take abuse and keep working. If you find a gym with Atlantis lateral raise machines, your shoulders will thank you. Use the GymMaps Brands filter to find one.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Atlantis equipment made?
In Laval, Quebec, Canada. Atlantis designs, manufactures and tests its machines at its own headquarters there, where it has been based since 1998.
Who founded Atlantis?
Raymond Sansoucy, a Canadian bodybuilding champion, founded Atlantis in 1982. His aim was equipment that strong lifters could use hard without it constantly needing repairs.
Is Atlantis still family-owned?
Yes. Atlantis describes itself as a family-owned business, and in 2025 it called itself the largest Canadian manufacturer of strength equipment.
What is the Atlantis lateral raise machine?
Atlantis makes two well-known lateral raise machines: the standing E-252, which has independent arms, and the seated E-157. Both are popular with bodybuilders for training the side delts.
What are the Atlantis Precision and Power Series?
They are the two main Atlantis ranges. The Power Series includes heavy strength equipment such as the Power Squat Pro, launched in 2025. Photos on a gym’s GymMaps page show which Atlantis machines it actually has.
How do I find a gym with Atlantis machines?
In GymMaps, open the map filters, go to Brands and select Atlantis. The map then shows only gyms where members have tagged Atlantis equipment, with photos.
Find Atlantis gyms near you
Filter the GymMaps map by equipment brand and see real photos of the machines before you go, at home or anywhere you travel.
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