The Ultimate Garage Gym/ Strength and Conditioning Facility Shopping List
To get started with a CrossFit Home Gym all you really need is an Olympic bar, a set of plates, and a set of rings. With these items you can perform more than 50% of the CrossFit workouts as written and substitute for most of the rest.
You can get the $150 Three Hundred Pound weight set at the local sporting good store and outgrow it in a few months, or for just a little bit more, you can buy a nice bar, solid rubber bumpers and rings that you will never outgrow. After that you can add items as your interest or fitness level grows. With the items below you can build a World-Class Strength and Conditioning Facility right in your garage.
My wife and I built a garage gym that eventually grew into a successful CrossFit Affiliate in a dedicated facility, as well as an equipment sales business catering to individual CrossFitters as well as CrossFit Affiliates, Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Departments. During this time, we gained a lot of knowledge about equipment that I felt would be helpful to new and experienced CrossFitters in their homes as well as people putting together commercial gyms. The information below includes links to just about everything you could possibly want for an effective strength and conditioning facility so that you can compare products and prices. It also includes some opinions from message boards as well as my own opinion about several products.
Equipment Packages
Bars
Bumper Plates
Steel Weights and
Change Plates
Collars
Rings
Medicine Balls
Kettlebells
Squat Stands, Racks and Systems
Glute Ham Developers, and
Revers Hyperextension Machines
Safety Stands
Pull-up Bars
Plyo Boxes
Lifting Platforms
Flooring
Mats
Bumper Racks and Bar Racks
Benches
Dumbbells
Rowers
Weightlifting Shoes
Jump Ropes
Climbing Ropes
Assisted Pull-up Bands
Strongman Equipment
MMA Equipment
Reading Material
Videos
Miscellaneous items
Equipment Packages:
I will start the
list with equipment packages. These packages offer everything you need
to get started either in a home gym or an affiliate.
Rogue Crossfit Equipment Packages
Everything you need for a home gym
Economy Equipment Packages
Save money when you buy bars and plates together
Affiliate Packages
Outfit a whole affiliate with a single order
Military Packages
Packages designed specifically for military units
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Bars: B&R
Bar by York Barbell Rogue
Bar Rogue
Castro Bar
Mike Burgener and Mark Rippetoe have teamed up with
industry leader York Barbell to provide the ultimate Olympic
weightlifting/powerlifting bar that is perfect for CrossFit workouts.
The B&R Bar by York Barbell is produced to their precise
specifications. It has a 29 mm shaft with a 200,000 lb. yield strength,
marked for both powerlifting and weightlifting movements. It is made
from elevated temperature drawn high tensile steel for maximum strength
and flexibility. It features the perfect light weightlifting knurl that
has made York Barbell famous, with a center knurl for squats and an
extra half-inch of smooth steel between the knurls to protect your
shins during deadlifts, cleans, and snatches. Manufactured with
sintered bushings in the sleeves for reliable spin and low maintenance,
and with sleeves attached with the same bulletproof end caps used on
York competition weightlifting bars, the B&R is designed for
heavy commercial gym use in a wide variety of training environments.
Most barbell manufacturers add chrome or other plating material to
their bars to prevent discoloration from rust -- it is not there to
improve performance. The B&R Bar by York Barbell bar is made
for serious lifting, not for looking shiny on the rack. No coating can
ever match the look and feel of natural steel, and this quality
old-school bar will age to a natural oxidized finish that matures along
with your training and experience. This is the last bar you will ever
have to buy. It will join the many tens of thousands of bars made by
York Barbell since the 1950's that are still going strong. This bar is
also available in a 25 mm 15 kg women's version that is identical to
the York women's olympic training bar with the additon of the second
knurling mark and same plain steel finish of the men's bar.
The Rogue Bar is a 28.5 mm (men's ) and 25 mm
(women's) bar with no center
knurling and both powerlifting and Olympic lifting knurling marks. This
bar has the famous Rogue knurling. It
features high quality brass bushings for reliable spin, and will whip
enough for use in Olympic Weightlifting. The shaft is coated with black
zinc and the sleeves chrome plated. GUARANTEED FOR LIFE AGAINST BENDING
AND/OR COLLARS FALLING OFF BY MANUFACTURER
The
Rogue Bar is a 28.5 mm bar with no center
knurling and both powerlifting and Olympic lifting knurling marks. This
bar has the same great Rogue knurling. It
features high quality brass bushings for reliable spin, and will whip
enough for use in Olympic Weightlifting. The shaft is bare steel for
the ultimate grip without being sharp. This bar is bare steel and just
like any fine piece of machined steel this will require some upkeep.
Occasionally brushing the bar down with 3 in 1 oil or WD-40 will create
a beautiful patina look. This is how bars were made for decades and
this creates an unmatched feel. GUARANTEED FOR LIFE AGAINST BENDING
AND/OR COLLARS FALLING OFF BY MANUFACTURER. A portion of the proceeds
of the sale of this bar go to the families of two fallen Navy SEALs.
Rogue
Burner Bar
The Rogue Burner
Bar is a 28.5MM 20KG Men's training bar that does not have any coating
on the bar. This bar is made with High Tensile Strength steel and is a
work of art. The knurl is perfect, there is something special about a
bar right out of the lathe! This bar can be used for heavy Olympic or
Power Lifting movements. The sleeve has the classic bronze bushing and
snap ring design.
Rogue
Training Bars
IWF Spec.
Olympic weightlifting bars guaranteed for life by the manufacturer.
MADE IN THE USA out of the best materials available. The line includes
a 28 mm men's weightlifting bar with bushings and the Elite bearing bar
with 5 needle bearings per sleeve. All are zinc coated for the best
feel around with perfect knurling. These bars are also available in 25
mm 15 kg women's versions and the more economical 28.5 mm men's version
(guaranteed for one year). You can not find a better weightlifting bar
at any price.
Rogue
Beater Bar
The Beater bar
is a 31 MM bar with no center knurling and has powerlifting marks. The
shaft is black zinc and the sleeves are bright zinc coated.
This
bar is not made for competitive olifts, it is meant to be the bar that
takes a high rep beating where the diameter of the shaft is not
essential.
The sleeve is assembled with a pin design.
York
Competition/Training
Barbells
York Olympic bars with Satin Chrome finish are made
from elevated temperature drawn high tensile steel for maximum strength
and flexibility.Sintered bushings, impregnated with oil, facilitate
free and constant rotation of the bar without allowing for
counter-rotation of the weights. Sleeves are machine-finished to a
precise 1.975-inch diameter. They are available in 3 Styles.
Men's
20 kg. USA Olympic Training Bar
(2200 mm, 28 mm) TBK-20 (32002) Designed for Olympic-style
lifting movements.
Women's
15 kg USA Olympic Training Bar
(2010 mm, 25mm) TBK-15 (32003) Designed for Olympic-style
lifting movements.
7'
USA Power Bar
(1500# test, 29 mm, Satin Chrome) DPB-1500 (32004) Designed
for static lifting movements, i.e., Squat, Bench Press, Dead Lift.
York
Hard Chrome North American
Bars w/Split Sleeves
Years of precision engineering and tooling earned
York Barbell a reputation for building some of the finest Olympic
Competition and Power Bars in the industry. York applied its vast
knowledge in bar design and produced perhaps the highest quality, most
functional and attractive imported Olympic Bars today. York applied its
signature "split sleeve" to each bar and designed a precision internal
dual roll pin sleeve assembly. The replacement of the outmoded bolt
sleeve assembly means the bar will not loosen or detach. Each bar is
heat tempered. The hard chrome finish is more durable and
decreases the liability associated with the chipping, cracking or
peeling common with the use of bright chrome.
These bars are perfect for everyday uses around the garage, basement,
or even a full-fledged training facility.
York's Hard Chrome International Bars are also available in a
needle-bearing bar and is an excellent choice for Olympic-style
movements. The needle bearings ensure smooth, consistent rotation of
the sleeves. The Men's Bar is 7 feet long, 28 mm, and heat-tempered.
Also
available is a Women's Bar that is 6.5 feet long, 25 mm, and heat-
treated.
The needle-bearing bars are perfect for training the Olympic movements
with lighter weights or for any CrossFit workout. They spin freely and
the hard chrome coating is extremely durable and easy to clean. The
knurling is a bit deeper than the Pendlay bars, but makes up for the
slicker coating. We have been using ours at Rogue for over 2 years and
is a staple for moderate weight O-lift work and WODs. The
black-oxide/hard chrome bars are a welcome addition to our
inventory. These bars fill the gap left by more expensive weightlifting
and power bars. They are suitable for any of the power (slow) lifts or
for light weight WODs. Perfect for leaving in a power rack, backup for
more expensive bars, or for a beginning garage gym. And, they come in
choice of finish and size! What more could you want? The "Ultra-Lite"
bar is an aluminum technique bar that is the perfect
starter bar for teaching beginners the technique of the Olympic lifts.
It can also be used as a scaled-weight bar for CrossFit workouts.
7
foot International Hard Chrome Bar
(32 mm, 1500# test bar) IB-1500 (32012)
7
foot International Hard Chrome Bar
(30 mm, 1000# test bar) IB-1000 (32013)
6
foot International Hard Chrome Bar
(30 mm) IB-72 (32014)
5
foot International Hard Chrome Bar
(30 mm) IB-60 (32015)
North
American Men's Needle-bearing Olympic Training Bar
(28 mm) IB-NB-M (32010)
North
American Women's Needle-bearing Olympic Training Bar
(25 mm) IB-NB-W (32011)
York
"Ultra-Lite" 6' Aluminum Bar
(28 mm) 150 lb Test
Pendlay
Nexgen Bushing Class
Bars Bars
Lifetime guaranteed
weightlifting training bars. Shaft diameter of 28.4mm Mens, 25MM
Women's & 10KG Made from the strongest steel available. Very
rigid,
will not allow much flex. Dual bushing design inside each collar. Dual
snap ring design inside each collar. Bright zinc coating throughout the
bar. Bright zinc absorbs into the steel reducing the risk of chipping.
Single piece collar contruction - only barbell company in the world to
use this method. Perfectly weighted, extremely strict weight and
dimension tolerances. Made by weightlifters, for weightlifters.
Pendlay
Nexgen Bearing Class
Bars
Next
Generation Pendlay Bar. Shaft diameter of 25mm or 28mm. Made from high
nickel content, super strong steel. Allowing maximum flexibility
without bending. Only company in the US to produce barbells from this
material. Five top quality, made in Germany, high speed bearings in
each collar. Dual snap ring design inside each collar. Bright zinc
coating throughout the bar. Bright zinc absorbs into the steel reducing
the risk of chipping. single piece collar contruction - only barbell
company in the world to use this method. high performance gel lubricant
inside each collar. No more leaking hydraulic fluid. Perfect knurling
with distinct entry and exit point. No cheese graters here! No fade in
and out. Knurl points set for Olympic Weightlifting. Perfectly
weighted, extremely strict weight and dimension tolerances.
Static
Test - We take each bar and support it on the ends in v-blocks. We
apply 2500 lbs of pressure in the center of the bar and deflect it 6
inches. They consistently return to true center within .000/.006
inches.
Dynamic Testing - It is very hard to dynamic test a
barbell in a way that mimics the actual use. The only true way a bar is
dynamically tested is by the bar being used for its purpose, Olympic
weightlifting. To date we have tried to bend the bar and have not been
able to do so. We have yet to have any bars returned because of
bending. And best of all backed with the Lifetime Performance
Guarantee! Made by weightlifters, for weightlifters.
Eleiko
Eleiko Olympic Bars are very highly thought of and
used extensively in competition. These are often used as the gold
standard that other bars are measured against. The Olympic Training Bar
is available in Men's and Women's Versions. They also make competition
bars and youth training bars.
Ivanko
Quality bars that are well respected for their
strength. Simply the toughest Olympic bars made. They make a variety of
bars at a range of quality levels.
Below
are some reviews and recommendations to help
you decide
New- Burgener/ Rippetoe Bar
from York
Burgener/ Rippetoe Bar vs
Pendlay Economy/CF Bar
Women's O'lifting Bar
Olympic style
Differences between Oly
Training & Weightlifting/Powerbars
Walmart/Champion Olympic Weight
Set
Anything wrong w/ non-Olympic
barbells
Olympic bars and bumper plates
in Australia
Olympic Lifts - does the bar
make a difference
York, Pendlay vs DHS Olympic
Bar
Good Olympic bar
$400 to spend on olympic bar
and weights
Pendlay Bar
This
includes a review of several brands of weightlifting bars by Glenn
Pendlay
Pendlay Elite Bars
Women's Oly bar
Aluminum Oly Bars for beginners
Olympic Bar
Pendlay bar and
bumpers--initial review
Oly bar characteristics
Pendlay training bar
Pendlay "Crossfit Bar"
Eleiko Olympic Bar and Rubber
Plates
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Rogue Training Bumpers By Hi-temp
Probably the most durable
training bumpers on the
market. They are made from recycled rubber with solid steel inserts.
They are soft and provide the maximum protection possible for your
flooring and bars. Now all weights including 10 and 15 lbs are full
size.
Rogue Competition Plates
Built to last like Eleiko
plates. Available in pounds, black rubber with steel center plates.
Kraiburg
Virgin rubber with Brass
Inserts. Available in
pounds and kilograms. Available as all black or colored.
Bigger Faster Stronger
Bigger Faster Stronger sells
their own line of
bumpers available in 10-45 lbs, in colored and black versions. Virgin
rubber with brass inserts.
Hitechplates
Technique plates that can
actually be dropped and
are solid on the ground. They were recommended by Mike Burgener and
Mark Rippetoe also gave them a positive review.
Eleiko
Certified Competition and training bumpers.
Mavrik
These come highly recommended
as very durable
plates.
Below are some reviews and recommendations
to help you decide
My Garage gym A post by Josh Everett
Bumper plate questions from a
bumper plate noob
Bumper Confusion
yet another bumper plate
question
Bumper Plates
Olympic bars and bumper plates
in Australia
Oly Bar and Bumper Plate
Question
Mixing bumper brands
Which bumpers?
Most affordable rubber bumper
plate set
Difference between bumpers
CAP bumpers?
Comprehensive Bumper Comparison
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Steel Plates and Change (Additional Weight):
York Brand Iron Pound Weight
The original cast iron plates.
Rogue Fractional Plates
0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 lb plates. These are
especially helpful for going up in small increments when you are stuck
at a weight.
York Kilogram change
Non certified kilogram change, reasonably priced.
Werksan Kilogram change
Certified and non-certified kilogram change
Iron Woody Fractional Plates
0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 lb plates. These are
especially helpful for going up in small increments when you are stuck
at a weight. These are also available in 0.5 kg, 0.75 kg and 1.0 kg
weights. Manufactured by Iron Woody.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
ROGUE HG Collars
Keep your plates in place under
the most extreme
conditions! This will save you the time of putting your plates back on
during CrossFit Workouts like Fran and Elizabeth. We just bought some
of these and love them for most CrossFit workouts you never have to
readjust the plates. These are the collars that were used at the 2010
Crossfit Games.
Muscle Clamps
Excellent clamps with a firm
grip that are very
easy to take on and off the bar. We have been using them for years.
Spring Collars
Economical clamps that work
well. These require
more strength to get on an off the bars.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Rogue Rings
Available in FIG (Federation of
International Gymnastics) size wood, 1.5' wood and 1.5' solid steel
powder coated versions. The FIG rings are virtually identical to the
Norberts wooden rings. They have the easiest buckles to attach, remove
and adjust. These rings include nice wide straps that are easier on
your arms when doing ring dips and muscle ups.
EXF Rings
Plastic rings with adjustable
nylon straps. Tyler
Hass made the first rings that were targeted to the fitness market
rather than the gymnastics market.
Norbert's Wooden Gymnastics
Rings
Old school rings with thick
nylon straps that
provide an excellent texture for even advanced gymnastic movements.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Dynamax Medicine Balls
The absolute best medicine
balls on the planet.
There is no other ball out there that is as durable, or as safe for
CrossFit exercises.
Homemade Medicine Balls.
Plans from from Pierre Auge
D-Balls
The only balls suitable for
ball slams.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
There are many options, and many levels of quality. For CrossFit exercises, the most important things are to make sure that there are no ridges on the handles that will cause blisters with repetitive motions. For more traditional exercises such as snatches, and jerks, balance of the kettlebell and the shape of the handles become more important. In the last few years, their popularity has grown and there are several new inexpensive options available.
Ader Kettlebells
High quality enamel coated
kettlebells. They have
smooth handles and are excellent for CrossFit workouts.
Rogue "KILO" Bells - American Made
These are made in a joint
ventur between AOS and Rogue so they bear both brands. They are made in
New England. They are painted with a matte black finish so they will
hold chalk! Following are the Rouge KILO Bell Specifications:
1.0 Handle and Bell ratios are built to Rouge Specs
2.0 Finish: Matte Black - The paint is not thick like many other brands
or filled with bondo. These are meant to be as close to naked as
possible.
Iron Woody Kettle Grips
Grips that allow you to use
your own plates to make
adjustable kettlebells.
Kettlebell Country Kettlebells
Smooth enamel coated kettlbells.
Dragon Door Kettlbells
The company responsible for the
current kettlebell
popularity in the United States. These have slightly smaller diameter
handles that many prefer when doing snatches and jerks.
Play It Again Sports
This sporting goods chain has
kettlebells
available. They are Apollo brand. They have rubber bases. They cost
between $1 and $1.50 a pound depending on the store. Some stores have
them in stock, others have to special order them.
Busy Body
This chain also sometimes
carries Apollo
Kettlebells.
Below are some reviews and recommendations
to help you decide
Buying a kettlebell
Humbled by the kettlebell
Kettlebell v. Dumbell
Barbell vs. dumbbell vs.
kettlebell
Kettlebell
Kettlebell Question for the
Experts
Kettlebell purchase
Kettlebell Sale
Review of Kettlebell Concepts
Bell
Kettlebell question
Kettlebell purchase question,
please respond ASAP!
Kettlebell Distributor in the
U.K
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Squat Stands, Racks and Systems:
Rogue S-1 Squat Stands
Built for everything from clean pulls, floor press, squats, overhead
press and much much more! No moving parts or trinkets that will wear
out.
"This is the best squat stand on the market, I would have one of these on every platform." Coach Mike Burgener
Rogue R-3 Racks
This is a Rogue version of the classic West Side Rack that has built
world champion powerlifters. Designed with the help of Louie Simmons.
Rogue Infinity Rack System
The rack used at the 2010 Crossfit Games and many of the qualifying
events. These provide pull-up space and West Side Squat racks in one
convenient package for the price you would pay for just the squat racks
from another vendor. The pull-up height is variable and numerous
additional attachments, such as wall ball targets are available. This
is also available in a wall mount version.
York Press Squat Stands FTS-PSS
(48052)
Very stable stands that work
well for bench press
and squats. It is hard to believe that they cost as little as they do.
They include high uprights above the cradles allowing for proper
re-racking technique and a separate set of cradles for bench
press.
TDS
The most inexpensive squat
stands around. They do
the job for a reasonable price. They do not have very high uprights
above the cradles and the holes for adjustment are much farther apart
than on the other listed stands. These go low enough to use for bench
press.
Promaxima Adjustable Squat
Stands
These include a plastic insert
in the bar cradles
to protect your bar's knurling. They are very stable. However, they do
not go low enough to use for bench press and the metal feet can damage
your platform if, like at my gym, some clients drag them rather than
carry them.
Vulcan Rack II+
Well constructed easily
portable squat stands with
attachable options that you can use for bar dips or pull-ups. These are
not the most stable feeling stands due to their ease assembly and
disassembly. However, they will hold the weight. There an adequate
number of height options to accommodate people of various heights. They
go low enough to bench, but do not include plastic inserts to protect
your bars. The uprights above the cradles are not as high as the ones
on the Promaxima or York stands.
Homemade Squat Stands
The best home made squat stands
I have seen.
Below are some reviews and recommendations
to help you decide
$135 Squat Stands
Squat racks
Squat Stands
New Squat Rack
My Garage gym
Which squat rack
Squat rack
Squat stands vs. squat rack
Squat Rack recommendations?
Squat Stands
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Sorinex FN-GHD M2
The GHD
used at the Crossfit Games. Despite the small size and low shipping
coast, this is an extremely stable GHD that has to be tried out to be
believed.
York Glute Ham Bench STS-GHB (54034)
A sturdy glute ham developer
with split hip pads (rollers). The camps are split on the rollers. Some
people like them, some find them uncomfortable. Many people think they
should be slightly closer together. I like the rollers. It feel that
the fact that they rotate it makes it easier to do things like GHD
sit-ups. When you are using many of the fixed pad GHD�s your pants
start to slide down during high rep sets. The holes for adjustment are
very close together which allows you to customize the distance
settings. It is made to tight tolerances and can be a little difficult
to adjust. It is wide and will accommodate large clients. It is priced
at the lower end of models
suitable for commercial use.
ProMaxima
This GHD has been favorably
reviewed. It is high
quality for a reasonable price. It ships already assembled so the
shipping price is higher than many other brands.
Yukon
* Make sure to read the
information from the
message boards below before buying this one. It may be ok for a home,
but is not sturdy enough for commercial use.
TDS
Consumer level GHD. Some have
complained about it
not being completely level. If you own an gym, you probably want
something a little nicer, but it may be a good choice for a garage gym.
Legend Fitness Glute/Hamstring
Station
Really nice GHD, available with
a one piece or
split pad. It is almost all one piece and is extremely well made. It is
very easy to adjust which is very helpful in a busy gym. It is priced
halfway between the home models and the Elite Fitness and Sorinex GHD's
and seems to be made to the same high quality standards of those
brands. You can select custom colors. The only drawback is that I do
not know anyone who stocks them. They are made to order and take 6
weeks to get there and shipping is fairly expensive, since they arrive
in one piece.
Legend Fitness Pro Series
Glute/Hamstring Station
More robust version of the
above GHD with larger
foot-plate and the addition of knee-pads.
Legend Fitness Econ Glute/Hamstring Station
An economy version of the
above GHD suitable for home use.
Elite Fitness Deluxe Glute Ham
Raise
Very nice, full featured,
sturdy GHD.
Elite Fitness Collegiate Glute
Ham Raise
Professional style GHD.
Elite Fitness Pro Glute Ham
Raise
Extremely nice (and expensive) GHD. This may be
overkill for most CrossFit gyms.
Sorinex Glute Ham Bench:
This has long been the standard
against which all
other GHD's are measured.
Below are some reviews and recommendations
to help you decide
GHD Comparisons
Glute Ham machine
Which glute-ham developer to
buy?
Which Entry Glute Hamstring
Machine do you have?
*GHD Opinions Some
information about Yukon
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
TDS
Adequate stands that will keep
you safe. It would
be nice if there was a little larger area to catch the bar. They are
very reasonably priced.
Pillars of Power
Nicer than the TDS ones with a
larger target to aim
for when you miss a squat, but quite a bit more expensive.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Rogue Pull Up Systems
Multiple options for outfitting
your garage or your affiliate
Rogue Infinity Racks
The racks used at the 2010
Crossfit Games and many of the qualifying events. These provide pull-up
space and West Side Squat Racks in one convenient package for the price
you would pay for just squat racks from another vendor. The pull up
height is variable and numerous additonal attachements such as wall
ball targets are available. There is also a wall mount version
available.
Speed-Rail
You can make almost anything
you can dream up with these slip on fittings.
Here is a post about how we used them to make a set
of monkey bars.
A different way to have fun
with pipe
Rogue Pull Up Bar
Well made portable bar with
straps that are
interchangeable with the Rogue rings.
Ideas for Homemade Pull-up Bars
You can make a decent pull-up
bar in your garage
with plumbing pipe and fittings.
Tactical Athlete Pull-Up System
Portable pull-up system. Like
any portable pull-up
bar it will not stand up to heavy kipping without someone holding it.
Iron Mind Pull-up Bar
Portable pull-up system. Like
any portable pull-up
bar it will not stand up to heavy kipping without someone holding it.
This has the benefit of being an attachment for their squat stands. Bar
dip attachments are also available.
Power Max Wall Mounted Chinning
Bar #WE179
Good quality wall mounted
pull-up bar. It is a
little too close to the wall unless you mount it over a door way so you
can swing through.
StudBar
Quality wall or ceiling mount
pull-up bar that is made by a CrossFit
Affiliate.
Sorinex Base Fit
Modular rack that combines
pull-up bars and squat racks.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Wood Plyo Boxes
These
are made by a CrossFitter out of Ohio. They
are reasonably priced and well made. They take about 10 min to put
together after being shipped unassembled to save on shipping cost.
DIY
If you have the tools you can
make a very nice plyo
box for around $50. The post above shows how.
BFS
Well made wood plyo boxes with
rubber tops.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
$120-210 from a lumber yard and your local feed store
For a 3 layer 8x8 platform you need: two Horse Stall Mats, $90-100, and for 4 sheets of CDX Plywood, $120, and $20-40 for Plywood, Particle Board or MDF from Home Depot for the Center. You will also need 1 box of 1.25 inch drywall screws and 1 box of 2 inch drywall screws.
Here is a picture from Witchita Falls Weightlifting Club that shows a way to make an 8x8 platform using only one 4x6 horse stall mat.
For a 3 layer 4x6 platform: $45 for 1 Horse Stall Mat and and $120 for 4 sheets of CDX Plywood and $20-40 for Plywood, Particle Board or MDF from Home Depot for the Center for an 6x8 foot platform. Cut two feet off of 2 of the sheets of CDX Plywood and your center piece. Cut another of the CDX Plywood pieces in half lengthwise, leave the last on intact. You will also need 1 box of 1.25 inch drywall screws and 1 box of 2 inch drywall screws.
Here is a single layer version. You need to have either the whole floor matted or something to keep it in place.
Plans and Directions from Mike's Gym
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Rogue Gym Mats
Indestructable rubber flooring
The Rubberman
Mail order horse stall mats.
Horse
stall mats are also available from Local
Feed Stores to help you save on shipping. Do a search on the
internet for stores in your area.
<< Back to Table of Contents >>
Folding Panel Mats
Excellent for working on
gymnastics moves like
handstands and handwalking.
Practice Mats
Essential if you use climbing
ropes or do any
harder gymnastics moves. Ours has definitely saved us on a couple of
occasions.
Zebra Mats
High quality martial arts mats
that are textured,
so they don't get slippery even when people are sweating.
Gymnastic Mats, Wrestling Mats
and Martial Arts Mats
Online retailer that sells all
types of mats in one
place.
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Rogue 9 Bar Rack
Space efficient storage for bars
Rogue Horizontal Plate Rack
Horizontal plate storageon
wheels for easy portability
Home made bumper rack
$20 with parts you can get at
any lumber store. All
you need is a saw and a drill.
York Mobile Horizontal Plate
Rack
A good option for commercial
gyms. They are
reasonably priced and allow you to move the bumpers to the lifter in a
group rather than spending your time walking back and forth moving a
couple of plates at a time.
York Single Sided Bumper Plate
Tree
A really nice option for both
home gyms and
commercial facilities. It will hold you bars, bumper, change and
collars all in a small footprint.
York Olympic A-Frame Plate Tree
A reasonable storage option for
a commercial gym.
Power Max Bar Holder #WE515
We have a few of these. They
are a very space
efficient way to store your bars.
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Rogue Bench
Probably one of the best made
flat benches available
York Flat Bench STS-FB (54026)
Professional quality flat bench
TDS Bench with Dumbell Rack
Very affordable option, that
includes a dumbbell
rack, this sounds good unless you will be moving it around a lot.
Iron Mind Five Star Bench
Over-engineered flat bench that
doubles as a plyo
box.
Power Max Flat Utility Bench
#WE100
Affordable flat bench.
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Dumbbells come several styles such as colored rubber coated, rubber coated, and enamel coated cast iron. For a CrossFit gym the rubber coated ones work best. A couple of the popular brands are below. If you are just working out in your garage, you may be able to get by with the enamel coated cast iron which can usually be found in your local sporting goods store.
Power Max Rubber Coated Dumbells
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Concept 2 Rower
The only rower out there that
is worth the money.
There is also an active used market. Check out craigslist and ebay. Model B's can be found as low as $100 to $200. If you search you can find a Model C for less than $400. You can even occasionally find a Model D or E for sale.
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Nike Romaleos Weightlifting Shoes
They are
not just good looking
shoes with a well known name. These were designed for Olympians and
were extremely popular at the 2008 Olympic Games. They are
comfortable, stable and durable. I got a pair for my birthday. They
have more lateral stability than any other lifting shoes I have used.
You won't be able to go back to your
old shoes after using these.
Rogue Dowin Weightlifting Shoes
The best looking shoes out
there. They also have what seems to be the optimum heel height for
effective lifting. These have hard wood mid-soles.
Rogue Rip Shoes
Designed by Mark Rippetoe with
1/2' soles specifically for powerlifting.
VS Athletics Shoes
Reasonably priced lifting
shoes with wood mid-soles.
Werksan
High quality lifting shoes with
wood mid-soles.
Adidas
Nice, expensive lifting
shoes. Wood mid-soles.
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Rx Jump RopesPower Max Jump Ropes
Standard
jump ropes, such as rubber and leather
versions.
Super Rope Jump Ropes
Called
the worlds fastest jump rope. Greased
bearings, and a steel cable inside a plastic shell. In addition to
being fast they are very durable.
Buddy Lee Jump Ropes
These
are very fast ropes, but are not very
durable. It is my opinion, that while these are good ropes for people
using them at home, they are not the best choice for a gym as clients
do not use the same care with equipment as individual users.
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Climbing Ropes and Power Ropes:
Climbing ropes are available in natural (manila) and synthetic varieties. For the most part the natural ropes have a better texture for climbing, but the synthetic ropes are much stronger and more durable. The natural ropes tend to shed when used, which is a concern for some people. The synthetic ropes are generally more expensive. There are many synthetic ropes that claim to feel like natural ropes, which may be true as I have not tried every type yet.
Rogue Climbing Ropes
An
excellent option for a home gym or affiliate.
These are have spliced eyelets so all you have to do is throw the rope
over a beam and pull it through the eyelet. You can also attach them to
an eyebolt using a carabiner.
Battling Ropes
These
are used for workouts where you send waves
down the ropes. They are very good for grip and arm strength.
American Gymnast
Manilla
ropes with a steel rope clamp for
attachment.
Draper
Draper
and Jammar seem to carry the same high
quality natural and synthetic ropes with steel rope clamps.
Jammar
Draper
and Jammar seem to carry the same high
quality natural and synthetic ropes with steel rope clamps.
Norberts
Synthetic
ropes designed for gymnastics gyms.
Functional Hand Strength
Manila
ropes with steel rope clamps
Accessories
Accessories
including I-beam and wood beam clamps
for hanging your ropes.
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Iron Woody Bands
These
are excellent for assisting movements, such
as pull-ups, dips, and muscle ups. They are available in a variety of
resistance levels.
Used at the 2010 Crossfit Games, these bags took an incredible beating without breaking. Available in 3 sizes.
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Starting Strength
by Mark
Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore
Starting Strength 2nd Edition
by Mark
Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore
Practical Programming
Progressive
and Periodized Weight Training Methods
for Coaches, Trainers, and Athletes by Lon Kilgore, Mark Rippetoe and
Glenn Pendlay
Parkour Tutorial DVD Vol. 1
from American Parkour
Abmat
The only
product that allows you to use your
abdominal muscles safely and effectively while doing sit-ups on the
ground.
Parallettes
$25 from Home Depot
Rogue Parallettes
Indestructable metal
parallettes used in the 2010 Crossfit Games and various Crossfit
qualifiers.
PVC for
Olympic Lift Training
and CrossFit Warmup
$2-3 for 10 foot piece of 3/4" or 1" schedule 40 PVC from your local
hardware store that you can cut in half.
White
board
$12 for 4x12 foot sheet from you local hardware store.
Timers
TITLE Platinum Professional
Fight & Gym Timer
This
timer or something like it is absolutely
essential for a CrossFit affiliate. It is one of the best investments
we made for the gym. It has the ability to time workouts, and time
intervals like Tabata or timing Fight Gone Bad. It has a variable
volume beep that can be heard throughout the gym even with music
playing.
Gymboss
An
excellent timer for a individual CrossFitter.
This is one of the best ways to time yourself for Tabata workouts.
Crossfit Equipment GIFT CERTIFICATES