CrossFit Equipment – CrossFit is an intense exercise program to increase all levels of fitness.
Since CrossFit is such an intense workout with incredible health benefits, the CrossFit trend has exploded in popularity and has been commercialized throughout the world.
But did you know that CrossFit started out in home gyms?
If you are thinking about building your own home gym, this post on How To Create The Perfect Home Gym can get you started in building the ultimate home gym, but if you are thinking of building a CrossFit home gym, you will need some extra equipment.
To build a CrossFit home gym, you’re going to need some extra CrossFit equipment in order to be able to perform every workout you would at a CrossFit Club.
If you have an empty garage, or a large room in your home to build your own Crossfit gym, here is the best CrossFit equipment based upon what CrossFit instructors I have talked to, as well as other Crossfit enthusiasts, on what they have used to get the best Crossfit workout possible.
Top 10: CrossFit Equipment for a Garage Gym
Strength Equipment
If you’re going to build a CrossFit home gym, one necessary thing is strength equipment.
There are a plethora of different pieces of equipment that will build strength through CrossFit training, but the key is to have well-built CrossFit strength equipment to survive the hard workouts day after day.
Below are recommendations from CrossFit instructors on what are the essentials in CrossFit Strength equipment.
Squat Rack
A power rack is an essential piece of strength equipment that every CrossFit Garage home gym should have. A power rack or power cage is the perfect tool to work on your bench press, overhead presses, barbell squats, deadlifts, and more.
Whether you are training solo or with a partner, having easy access at home to your lifting equipment is a huge help, plus since you can use a power rack for so many exercises, and you’ll need them for heavyweight moves like squats and bench press.
Brands like PRx Performance, CAP Barbell, and Marcy Home Gym are making fantastic power racks that are inexpensive for your CrossFit garage gym.
Just make sure, to avoid injury, that whatever power rack or power cage you decide to purchase, that it can take a beating and not fall over or break in between sets.
Olympic Barbells
The second thing to check off on your CrossFit Equipment list is a good Olympic barbell. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a really good Olympic Barbell, but like anything else you get what you pay for.
If you buy a cheap barbell it will not last that long.
What makes a good CrossFit barbell? Good CrossFit bars must be able to handle drops from overhead, being slammed into the ground, and chalked up as if the person using it was drowning in their own sweat.
Your own preference will decide whether you want a barbell with or without center knurl. The most popular is without center knurl (keeps you from scratching your throat during cleans).
Brands like E.T.ENERGIC, CAP Barbell, and Synergee make incredibly affordable and great quality bars that won’t disappoint if you’re looking for the basics.
Also, if you’re throwing weights around in the gym you will want to have a collar to secure the CrossFit Equipment load. The good old-fashioned spring collars are a good way to start if you’re on a budget. If you want more you can go for the muscle clamps.
Bumper Plates
Next on your CrossFit Equipment items checklist, is a good set of bumper plates if you’re going to work out in a garage gym or home gym.
Sure metal plates are great, but if you drop them you will chip your concrete flooring or destroy the rubber matting.
Rubber bumpers allow you to drop the barbell without destroying the floor. A good bumper has some bounce but not too much. Several companies are now making a low bounce bumper plate. If it has too much bounce it can be hard to control, or bounce back and hit you in the face when you drop it and your face is in the way.
There are two types of training bumpers I suggest from Amazon:
HulkFit and CAP Barbell rubber bumper plates, which are highly rated, are constructed of high-density rubber with solid stainless steel inserts that can withstand repeated drops and with minimal bounce.
If you decide to go cheap on your bumper plates, just beware of the reviews. Cheap rubber bumpers often split at the insert after being dropped from head high in your gym.
Pull Up Rigs
For building upper body strength, one of the best CrossFit exercises is pullups.
There are many Crossfit Equipment options available for pull-up rigs, and you can start with a ceiling/wall-mounted pull-up bar. Sure you can use the local playground and use any high bar for pull-ups, but when the weather gets cold and wet, you will want something for your dry and warm garage gym.
A ceiling/wall-mounted pull-up bar is easy to install, as you can connect to a sturdy stud on the wall or joist in the ceiling.
A good addition to your pull-up rig is some cheap but effective CrossFit Wrist Wraps. They are perfect for helping to isolate the back during a pull-up exercise.
You can also use a sturdy squat rack or cage that you can hang rings from, and can be bolted to the ground to avoid the fitness equipment falling over during an exercise. Fitness Reality and Marcy Pro make great all-in-one power cages that include a squat rack and pullup system.
Gym Rings
For CrossFit Equipment you’ll want to get a good set of gym rings because they are extremely versatile as you can do so much with them. Exercises like ring dips, pushups, muscle-ups, and much more. But what are the best gymnastic rings?
Since many of your CrossFit workouts will have ring dips and muscle ups involved, you will need to be ready for this. You can either go with a set of wood gym rings or plastic rings that are smooth on your hands when you’re doing multiple reps.
If gym rings are not your thing, and thinking of a total package that allows you to do all the gym rings exercises and more, I prefer a TRX suspension training system for your garage home gym. TRX workouts allow you to build strength, power, and mobility — anytime you want, anywhere you want. Anchor TRX off any door, tree branch, rafter, beam, or secured elevation point. Read my review here.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a large portion of the CrossFit routine. You are going to need at least a few of them for your gym so you can work them out effectively. While buying a full set of kettlebells might be tough on a budget, so figure out what weights you will need initially and then build from there afterward.
There are several advantages a kettlebell has over a dumbbell. Because the weight of a kettlebell is off-centered, you can use a kettlebell for a lot more exercise routines than a dumbbell. Plus, there are a lot more exercises that you can get done with them compared to a dumbbell.
When purchasing a kettlebell, you need to first decide on the weight that you can execute movements with. A general rule is you should start with a kettlebell of at least 8 kgs or 15 lbs. and up. Even if this is a bit heavy, kettlebells put on muscle quickly, so you will quickly grow out of them.
When looking at a kettlebell to start with, avoid any that are coated with epoxy (chipping and flaking problems). Make sure that they do not have a ‘seam’ on the bottom of the handle as they tend to play havoc with your hands with the heavier weights. Cheaper kettlebells are notable for their welding or molding seams on the handle.
High-quality kettlebells like those from Vulcan Strength, Garagefit, and Amazon Basics offer great-looking competition-grade kettlebells that are pretty durable.
Weight Bench
A crucial piece of CrossFit equipment in your garage gym is going to be the weight bench. There are so many exercises that you can carry out with a weight bench, that I recommend picking one up whenever you can.
You can mix this with a power rack to get heavy bench presses done, core workouts or dumbbell flys, arm workouts, and much more. Plus, you can focus on all major muscle groups, chest, shoulders, back, arms, quads, and calves.
There are a few things you need to look at when you are considering a weight bench for your home CrossFit gym. A key factor is an adjustability as you will need a weight bench that you can adjust for upright, decline, and incline positions as well. The more varieties you get on your weight bench, the more exercises you can get done.
Just remember to look out for the basic requirements like solid construction for the frame and high-quality foam for cushioning. Also,
you will need a bench that has a wide base, so it is not likely to wobble.
Weighted balls
Weighted ball exercises are more than ever because of CrossFit. A Weighted ball can help you build a strong core and help build your abs.
Medicine balls are commonly used to enhance different types of exercises like pushups or crunches because the weight is spread evenly throughout the ball for better handling.
The key to a strong medicine ball workout is to use a size or weight that provides enough resistance while encouraging speed. You’ll want to choose a medicine ball weight that’s just heavy enough to provide resistance, but not so heavy that it limits your speed and athletic motion.
For medicine ball slams, you’ll want a ball that is heavy relative to your strength, but not too heavy. For females, a 10-25 pound medicine ball is usually good, and for males, a 20-40 pound medicine ball is good for your CrossFit Equipment.
Jump rope/Battle rope
If you’re looking for the most compact cardio exercise, then you need a good jump rope. They are an inexpensive investment to add to your Crossfit Equipment and add a bit of difficulty to your cardio routine.
There is a reason why there are so many montages in Rocky movies that involve a jump rope because they improve your coordination remarkably and you can take it wherever you want to as well.
Also, you can add battle ropes (pictured above) to your garage gym if you have space because they fit into high-intensity training programs quite well. I favor battle ropes for the heavy upper body workout it can give you.
Plyobox
Plyometrics is a cornerstone of a good fitness program because it doesn’t just develop your physique but also improves your balance.
Plyo boxes are used by athletes to improve their performance at games like football and basketball. Plyo box exercises increase lateral stability and responsiveness making them a vital tool for sports.
There are several types of plyo boxes available out there like wooden, metal, and foam. Their heights can vary from 12” to 24” and are mostly used for jumps, step-ups, or sometimes even box squats. Plyo box is one of those Crossfit Equipment items that you can buy anywhere.
Plus they also come in varying heights that can help you do step-ups or jumps. They are very inexpensive to buy compared to building one yourself that take time out of your day for another DIY project that you may or may not complete.
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Extra Suggestions
Cardio Equipment
If you want to add more to your CrossFit routines, add a few cardio machines to your routine can improve your cardiovascular health.
Cardio machines help get the blood pumping and in combination with strength development routines are the best method to drop those excess pounds quickly. You can choose whatever you’re comfortable with in terms of cardiovascular machines like rowing machines, spin bikes, or treadmills.
When it comes to choosing only one Crossfit Equipment for cardio, I recommend a rowing machine for its ability to give you the complete full-body burn. Plus, it’s one of the best cardiovascular fitness machines that you can get for your money and is an integral part of CrossFit life.
We’ve covered an article on the Best Smart Rowing Machines – Hydrow Vs Ergatta Vs Echelon Rower if you have the money, but a great rowing machine that gives you a lot of the money and is extremely durable is the Concept 2 Model D rower.
Glute Ham Developer (GHD)
The GHD (glute-ham developer) is a fantastic piece of equipment to have in your arsenal, as owning one opens the door to many important exercises that are difficult to replicate without either the glute-ham developer or the various commercial hamstring machines.
Perform hyperextensions to build a stronger back. Perform them at bodyweight or hold a plate for an extra challenge. Either way, your erector spinae is in for a treat!
Before you buy a GHD, you need to make sure that it has a stable base and is adjustable for different heights to avoid the danger of the GHD tipping over.
Brands like Synergee, Marcy Pro, & Titan Fitness make reliable and stable GHD to help your check off another item from your Crossfit Equipment list.
Why do you need a Crossfit Garage Gym?
You may not be convinced that having a home Crossfit Gym will be beneficial to your lifestyle, but there are advantages over a commercial gym and too difficult to ignore.
Cost advantages
When you look at popular CrossFit locations in your area, the price of the gym membership at most places costs more than many of us can afford. And what do you get for the price?
Sure you get quality instruction, but you have to deal with long queues at the Crossfit equipment that all you do is end up hurrying through your set and end up with a lackluster workout.
Convenience
By having a home gym, it’s accessible 24/7 and the commute to your home gym is a breeze. Compare this to that gym more than a few blocks away to where you have to spend time traveling back and forth while making sure that you have enough time to get ready for work.
These problems are not an issue when it comes to home gyms.
Independence
By owning your own home gym with Crossfit Equipment you don’t have to deal with gym rules, or be worried that you are not wearing the latest fitness fashions that will make you stick out like a sore thumb if you don’t care about fashion trends.
Plus, you can control the music in your home gym. No one is going to bother you and this is a huge plus point for people who prefer their own space to workout in.
Conclusion
When looking for Crossfit equipment for your home gym, there are tons of other guides out there that have another perspective on what to add, and you need to do research done before you make up your mind about your home gym equipment.
While CrossFit might be a tough workout program, just remember that the end results are from the effort you put into your workouts. The key is to never give up, never surrender!
Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day or two, just make sure you stick to realistic goals and don’t overextend yourself too early because that can be harmful to your progress. The gear listed here is part of a lot of CrossFit workouts and you’ll be able to do the most common workouts and WODs.
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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