CrossFit is one of the world's most popular fitness disciplines. Developed by Greg Glassman in Santa Cruz, California almost twenty years ago, it borrows from a number of different fitness regimes including aerobic exercise, gymnastics, calisthenics, running and weightlifting.
CrossFit's popularity continues to rise, with the CrossFit Games widly recognised as one of the fastest-growing of all spectator sports in the USA. Here in Australia, there are thousands of gyms offering CrossFit classes and even more fitness fans creating their own workouts in gyms at home. The key to CrossFit’s success lies in its scalability depending on ability, a well-rounded and effective workout and the freedom to work out both at the gym and at home.
No matter whether you're a complete newcomer to CrossFit or a seasoned pro who’s been practising the discipline for years, this buying guide will help you choose the right equipment for your needs. We’ve got recommendations for professional CrossFit studios and health clubs as well as suggestions for home gym must-haves.
CrossFit incorporates a number of different exercises, giving a well-rounded and often intensive workout which is easily tailored to different levels and abilities. If you’re offering CrossFit classes or setting up a dedicated CrossFit studio, you’ll need a range of equipment which caters to a host of different activities.
In a home gym where space is more limited, multi-purpose kit is a life saver and will help you get your workout in without having to rent your own gym-sized facility to house it all. Look for a variety of equipment so you can mix up classes and workouts as needed.
The dream CrossFit gym is one which allows for scalability as your own abilities develop. This makes the quality of your gym equipment paramount. CrossFit workouts are so popular because they give results – a fact which makes them fairly high intensity.
Your CrossFit equipment needs to be up to the task and that means looking for good quality, sturdy pieces of kit from respected manufacturers. Opting for cheaper gear is a false economy, especially in a public gym where bikes, rigs and plyo-boxes must be able to withstand heavy use.
Low quality, low cost equipment will start showing signs of wear and tear long before you're ready to fork out for a replacement. This is just as true if buying for a home gym as it is when purchasing equipment for a commercial gym space.
The sheer variety of equipment available for CrossFit workouts means it can end up taking up a lot of floor space. Opt for easily storable items where possible, and when building a commercial gym space, be aware of the role your layout and use of space plays in making the gym a pleasant place for your customers to work out.
Getting your equipment selection right can be particularly tricky when you’re attempting to create a home gym, but it's important not to be intimidated. Focus on the exercises you intend to complete and work from there.
If you’re buying for a commercial gym, try and provide as much variety as possible within reason without leaving the space too cramped. Consider what a typical class or CrossFit workout entails and then do an audit of your existing equipment. Because CrossFit borrows from a number of different disciplines, it may be that you already have some machines that could be integrated. Once you have identified gaps, build your list of pieces to invest in.
We've made finding the right CrossFit kit simple, and with these top picks you'll soon be well on your way to developing your dream fitness set-up.
The ArmorTech HD Dog Sled is the ideal choice for commercial gyms as well as strength and conditioning studios thanks to its heavy duty construction.
Constructed with solid materials for optimum durability, it is designed to withstand the harshest of training environments and stand up to everyday use. The sled is suited to all kinds of terrain and includes a multitude of grip functions to provide a variety of workout options. The Sled weighs 35kgs but additional weights can be added thanks to multiple loading stages.
Versatile, sturdy and built to last it has a smooth, consistent motion and stylish black oxide finish.
Features:
Use for:
The real power behind the Airmill Airbike comes from the user rather than the machine, making it ultra-adaptive and the perfect choice for a CrossFit workout. The air resistance increases the harder the user pedals, pushes and pulls, meaning it delivers a perfectly customised workout every time.
The bike provides a full body, high calorie burning workout by activating muscles in the arms, back, legs and chest as well as helping to strengthen the core. This bike is competition ready and fully adjustable with a four-way seat, easy transport and storage and a heavy duty 104lb steel frame, making it an ideal choice for commercial studios. It can be quickly set up for different users with a four-way adjustable seat and quickly programmable functions.
The on-board console makes it easy to track progress and session performance, measuring distance, watts, speed, and calories burned.
Features:
Use for:
When summer and winter roll through, an open-air CrossFit box turns into an oven or an icebox. Now pair this with the craziness from the coronavirus scare. Would you consider building your own CrossFit gym at home?
To better understand what you’ll need to get started, here is the best CrossFit equipment and gear for CrossFit workouts at home.
It was appropriate to kick off our list with a piece of essential equipment, so they named the CrossFit gym after it: the box.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Zechen Fitness.
It pays to spend a bit more on a high-quality box. The last thing you want is to perform a step-up with 50-pound dumbbells on a wobbly and unsteady box.
Look for a box made with thick and durable wood, preferably one with a steady stream of recent positive reviews.
Also, while the break-down-build-up boxes are convenient, we recommend buying one that is built for you and can’t be taken apart. In this way, you can rest assured that your purchase is solid.
Another CrossFit staple, a pull-up bar, will play a part in most of your metcon (metabolic conditioning) work. You’ll need a pull-up bar for exercises like the kipping pull-up, toes to bar, and muscle-up.
We highly recommend getting a permanent pull-up bar professionally installed. Given the ballistic movements of CrossFit, you don’t want to risk it with a poorly installed pull-up bar. (YouTube has plenty of proof of what can happen.)
You should pair your pull-up bar with a set of plastic or wooden gymnastic rings. You’ll need a set of rings for exercises like the front lever, iron cross hold, and ring rows.
Plastic and wooden gym rings both work great. Most times, it’s a matter of preference. Buy a pair of each and see which one you like better.
For weight-based skill work like the chest press, a weight bench is essential.
We recommend a bench that can be adjusted in three planes of motion: decline, flat, and incline. Moreover, the bench should have a wide base, so you don’t have to worry about tipping to one side should you lose form.
Continuing with your skill work essentials, you’ll need a durable barbell for exercises like the back squat, front squat, deadlift, snatch, clean and press, and bench press. Always opt for an Olympic barbell, as this is the standard in CrossFit.
Regarding weight plates, we recommend selecting a brand with a thick rubber coating. A lot of CrossFit exercises will have you dropping the barbell on the floor. In order to protect the barbell plate from cracking, you need a durable coating on the outside.
Battle ropes will serve a dual purpose for your CrossFit workouts – both of which are essential for your metabolic conditioning workouts:
First, battle ropes can be paired with most other CrossFit staples to target your shoulders and core when used on the ground.
Second, you can use the battle rope as a climbing rope to work your back, forearms, and shoulders.
Ideal for a warm-up, a speed jump rope is also a great way to mix up your workouts.
Moreover, you’ll need a speed rope for exercises like double under, as a traditional jump rope is too thick and heavy.
Think of gear as the accessories to your workouts. They aren’t responsible for the heavy lifting like a barbell, but they support your performance and results.
Keep your neck safe with a squat pad. You can also use this pad for hip-based exercises such as the bridge.
For newcomers and experienced CrossFitters alike, some workouts can be rough on your joints, which is why recovery time in CrossFit is essential.
Knee sleeves are made with a compression-based material – the same material you’ll find in compression socks. This material has been shown to increase blood flow and alleviate inflammation, helping to support your CrossFit performance and recovery.
Lifting straps will save your hands from excessive calluses forming or tearing open a callus.
Lifting straps should be used during weight-based skill work such as deadlifts as well as bodyweight metcon work like kipping pull-ups.
For crunches and core exercises, an abdominal mat is a must. Most of the core work that isn’t based on the pull-up bar, like toes to bar, will take place on the ground.
An abdominal pad will provide a comfortable surface to exercise on. Also, given its rounded structure, you’ll achieve a better range of motion for greater muscle activation.
If you’ve had wrist issues, we can’t recommend wrist wraps enough. CrossFit focuses on Olympic weightlifting. Exercises like the snatch can compromise your wrist if you have a history of wrist issues or are untrained.
Are you interested in learning more about Crossfit protective Gear manufacturer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!