CrossFit Equipment List

CrossFit is a multidisciplinary sport that utilizes functional movements to produce difficult workouts. What makes it multidisciplinary is the fact that there is Olympic lifting, calisthenics, free weight exercises, long distance running, sprints, and even swims incorporated into the workouts. For this reason, a good amount of equipment is needed in order to participate in the sport. Read on to learn more about the equipment used in CrossFit.

CrossFit Equipment

CrossFit equipment is a mixture of equipment pieces from various physical training disciplines, including free weights, pushing sleds, and power racks. Below is a list of all CrossFit equipment, including a description and prices for each piece of equipment.

Accessories

CrossFit is a sport with multiple disciplines of fitness, so there will be a lot of accessories that cover all of them. For example, you need a barbell and bumper plates for Olympic lifts such as power cleans and jerks. However, you will also need kettlebells for swings, presses, squats, and many more. The key to being successful in CrossFit is having the necessary equipment to participate in the workouts. You can always improvise, but having the ones listed down below are highly recommended.

Barbells

Barbells are the most common piece of equipment used in CrossFit. If you are going to get into CrossFit, then it is almost impossible to avoid compound lifts such as the deadlift, back squat, press, snatch, and the clean and jerk. All of these lifts are done with barbells. The standard barbell in CrossFit is the Olympic bar. This is 7.2 feet tall, 2 inches in diameter, and weighs 45 pounds. These are about $300.

Another common barbell in a CrossFit gym is the hex-bar. This is a hexagonal bar that you can step into, and do exercises such as deadlifts, or farmer walks. This allows the barbell to be at the center of your body. When you do deadlifts with a traditional barbell, the weight is out in front of you and puts more pressure on your back. They can cost between $90-250.

Barbell Safety Collars

A huge part of CrossFit is training with barbells and a step you can take to prevent any injuries is getting some barbell collars. These attach to the outside of the barbell and keep your weight in place so it does not slip out. If you do not have collars, your weight may begin to slip to the outside of your barbell, and cause you to tip over.

These come in different shapes and styles, so here are some things you should consider. First, you should look into what type of collar you want. There are also two main types of collars: spring clip and hexagon clip.The spring clip has a plastic end to it where you can squeeze and expand the clip so it can slide into the barbell. They cost about $15.

Hexagon clips are made of plastic or nylon, and have rubber interiors that hold the bar in place. You can simply flip a latch and the barbell is secure. It is quicker and more efficient than the spring clip, but both get the job done. A good hexagon clip can cost $22. 

Battle Ropes

A battle rope is a thick rope that is wrapped around or attached to a floor anchor. It is a versatile exercise modality that trains power, endurance, and strength. On top of that, you are using your entire body during movements, making it an extremely functional piece of equipment. Battle ropes come in different lengths and weights, so prices can range from $50-90.

Here are some examples of exercises you can do with battle ropes:

• Rope Slams
• Rope Russian Twists

Boxes

CrossFit boxes are used for box jumps. They are also known as plyo-boxes because they are short for plyometric. Plyometric exercises are anything that is explosive; for example, box jumps and clapping push ups. These boxes vary in height and material so you should get a box that you are capable of jumping on and off of.

They are also made of different materials. CrossFit boxes can be wooden boxes, but they can also be metal or soft cubes. The soft cubes are the best for exercises like box jumps because if you fall, you will not scrape your shins. However, they are much more expensive than wooden and metal boxes. A full set of the soft cubes can cost up to $975. A full set of metal boxes are about $270. Finally, a 3-1 set of wooden boxes is about $125. 

Bumper Weights

In a traditional gym, weights are made of metal and are not meant to be slammed on the floor. However, in CrossFit, bumper plates are used. These are weights that are slid onto each side of a barbell. They are made of rubber which makes the weight bounce in the air after it is used, and is therefore less likely to break. Each bumper has a label of how much it weighs on the side, and some are even color coordinated.

There are regular bumper weights and ones used for competition. The ones used in competition do not bounce as much. This lets you grab your bar right away and start your next repetition. People should be careful while using bumper plates because of their tendency to bounce. You should be constantly aware of where your barbell is, and should not throw it.

Also, when buying bumper plates, you will notice that some of them are labeled “kg” for kilogram. To convert it to pounds, take the number of kilograms and multiply it by 2.2. The cost of bumper plates varies depending on how many pounds are in a set. They range from $295 for a 160 lb set, to about $1,500 for a 1,000 lb set.

Cross Training Shoes

Cross training shoes are exactly what they sound like: a shoe that helps you perform to the best of your ability in various types of exercises. Whether it be jumping, sprinting, or performing Olympic lifts, the cross training shoe is versatile enough to help you in all these situations.

When looking for a cross training shoe, it should have extra heel support, increased midsole material, and a breathable outer later. The heel support is for support during jumping and Olympic lifts. Increased midsole material gives you more grip on rope climbs and supports you during squats. Lastly, the breathable outer layer allows your feet to cool down. Cross training shoes can range from $80 to upwards of $200 depending on the brand. 

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are basically miniature barbells you can hold in your hands, but their weights can be already attached. You can do a variety of exercises with them, including lower body, upper body, and core exercises as well as strength, plyometric, or bodybuilding exercises. 

Training with dumbbells also allows you to do unilateral movements, or movements with one arm. This can help strengthen any muscular imbalances you may have, and can develop core strength in the process. Dumbbells can either come in block sets where you can adjust the weight with a button, or in individual sets. Block sets are about $150 to $300, and individual sets up to 50 lb can be $660.

Jump Ropes

Jumping rope is one of the more simple exercises in CrossFit, but it helps with footwork, endurance, speed, and coordination. In CrossFit, it is common to do double-unders, which is when the rope does two revolutions around you. Beginners should use larger ropes to first get some rhythm, but once you start doing double-unders, you will need a jump rope that is thin and lightweight. When buying a jump rope you should also consider how tall you are. The taller you are, the longer the jumping rope you will need. It also may help to get a rope that is adjustable. A quality lightweight rope can cost between $20 and $50. 

Kettlebells

Unlike dumbbells, kettlebells have their center of mass away from their handle, so you are able to swing and do explosive movements with it. A very common exercise in CrossFit is the kettlebell swing, where you hang the weight in between your legs and use your hips to swing the weight up to your shoulders, and back down to create a pendulum with your arms.  

When looking for kettlebells, you should consider the size of the handle and what the kettlebell is made out of. You should not pick one you cannot grip because the handle is too wide. It can be made out of steel or powder coating. They can cost between $20 and $200 depending on the weight and material. 

Medicine Balls

Medicine balls come in different sizes and styles and are made to either bounce or slam. Rubber balls that have air in them bounce back to you when you throw them against a wall or the floor. You just need to have quick reflexes for when it comes back. Medicine balls can also be filled with sand and used to slam. The difference is that it does not bounce back, so you will have to pick it up to start another repetition. Depending on the size, style and number, they can cost between $20 and $150.

Power Rack

Heavy lifting is often done in CrossFit, so it is recommended to invest in a power rack. These racks are for when you are doing power lifts such as back squats, front squats, rack pulls, presses or even shoulder shrugs. Each rack comes with hooks that can be put into holes of the rack.

These hooks are for when you rack or put back your weight, and they are adjusted based on your height. Generally, you want the hooks at shoulder level. Some power racks even have a pull up bar attached so you can do pull ups or muscle ups; which is when you pull yourself up to the bar and do a chest dip at the top. Power racks can range from $500 to $3,000.

Pushing Sled

If your goal is to increase your power, then you definitely need to invest in a sled. They can be pushed, pulled or dragged. The sled comes with two long poles and fits into holes at the front of the sled. To add resistance, take some bumper plates and place them on the pole in the middle of the sled.

By placing your hands on the poles and driving your legs, you are able to move the sled with your entire body. To pull or drag the sled, you can place a suspension rope, which usually is sold separately, onto the back of the sled if there is a place to put it. Some sleds do, but others are strictly for pushing. Sled prices can range from $160-400.

Sprint Bike

Sprint bikes, or assault bikes, are stationary bikes used to train endurance in CrossFit. Although they are used to train endurance, they are usually not used for long distances, hence the name. When using a sprint bike, the point of the exercise is to increase power output, and most bikes have a screen on them that tells you how many watts of energy you are putting out. Prices for sprint bikes range from $300 to $1200. 

Weighted Vests

Weightest vests are a great way to add some extra resistance to your CrossFit exercises. Wearing these vests during a workout session improves your strength and endurance. Some can weigh up to 140 pounds, but even a small increase of 10 pounds can make a significant difference on how you work out.

These vests vary in weight so you should pick one that you can handle, and should start off light and increase weight as you get stronger. You should also pick a vest that is snug, so it does not move around a lot during your workout. They can range between $20 and $400 depending on the weight, brand, and style. 

Yoga Mats

Yoga mats are used for stretching, core exercises such as planks and v-ups, and body weight exercises like push ups and cobras. The mat provides an extra cushion so your back, knees, or hands are not irritated by the floor and can prevent you from slipping. It also can prevent any unnecessary bacteria from getting on your skin. Most are about six feet long and are made of foam. They usually cost around $15 to $70.

CrossFit Equipment List

• Barbells
• Barbell Safety Collars
• Battle Ropes
• Boxes
• Bumper Weights
• Cross Training Shoes
• Dumbbells
• Jump Ropes
• Kettlebells
• Medicine Balls
• Power Rack
• Pushing Sled
• Sprint Bike
• Weighted Vests
• Yoga Mats

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