The CrossFit Equipment You Need for a Badass Home Gym

The CrossFit Equipment You Need for a Home Gym

Never stepped foot into a CrossFit box? You might be surprised by just how sparse they are compared to your typical training floor. While CrossFit is one of the most varied and high-intensity workouts around, it doesn't actually require a ton of equipment. In fact, most boxes look like a Marie Kondo-ed version of your standard gym space.

CrossFit is characterized by its combination of gymnastics, weightlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and metabolic conditioning (such as running, biking, rowing, and jumping rope). Most of the time, you'll use some equipment such as a barbell, a pull-up bar, rings, kettlebells, a rower, an assault bike, or a battle rope. But some of the most revered CrossFit workouts actually require only your bodyweight.

As a long-time CrossFit athlete and trainer, I contend that the true CrossFit experience mostly occurs in a CrossFit box. But there are times when having an at-home CrossFit gym could help you stay on track with your training and save some major cash (those membership fees can really add up). Good news: Installing a CrossFit gym in your home can be as simple as just mounting a pull-up bar.

Whether you want to keep it simple or turn your garage into a full-on box, you'll find everything you need below to get ~functionally fit~ without ever leaving your house.

PVC Pipe

Anyone who drank the Kool-Aid knows that a PVC pipe can begin to feel way heavier than its 6 ounces. Yes, the white PVC pipes commonly used for plumbing and drainage have a rightful place on your "CrossFit equipment for home gym" shopping list. These pipes — which are usually 4 to 5 feet in length — are used to warm up for barbell movements and help athletes fine-tune their positioning.

This super-simple tool might be cheap, but it can seriously enhance the quality of your barbell movements. And hey, if you don't want to shell out cash for something so simple, you can always use something similar, such as a broomstick.

Barbell

Once you've mastered a lift using the PVC pipe, you're ready to advance to the barbell. While there are 15-pound training barbells, a standard women's bar weighs 35 pounds and is a mainstay for any box-in-the-works. That way you can practice your barbell back squat, deadlift, and overhead press while your laundry is in the dryer. Score! (FYI, here's how much the different bars weigh at the gym.)

Psst: Purchase weight plates to add to the bar as you get stronger.

Pull-Up Bar

Installing a bar in the doorway will allow you to work on some of your gymnastics moves such as the pull-up, toe-to-bar (and hanging knee raises), and chest-to-bar.

CrossFit fanatics, beware. You won't have enough space overhead to complete a bar muscle-up with this bar, so don't try! (If having a place to practice your muscle-ups is a must for you, consider this mounted bar instead.)

Weighted Vest

If you're looking for a no-mess, one-stop-shop way to make your at-home workouts more challenging, consider a weighted vest. IMHO, weighted vests (which usually weigh between 14 and 20 pounds) are the most underrated fitness tool. They can make simple bodyweight movements such as the burpee, air squat, lunge, and push-up way more difficult. And once you've mastered the pull-up, you can try them with a vest for some serious lat, trap, and shoulder gains.

A quick note on sizing: Your weighted vest should fit snugly and not bounce around, but you should still be able to breathe.

Ab Mat

It may look like a simple flat black pillow, but it's so much more! CrossFitters position ab mats under their lower backs to enable a full extension of the abdominals. Plus, they double as a cushion for handstand push-ups. If you have an ab mat and a barbell, consider giving "Diane" a try: Here's how to do that WOD, plus why one CrossFit coach loves it.

Dumbbells

If you thought dumbbells were just for biceps curls, guess again. A set will come in handy any time your WOD includes dumbbell step-overs, dumbbell snatches, dumbbell thrusters, dumbbell hang power cleans, or dumbbell overhead lunges. And they're great for post-WOD accessory work, too.

While the suggested weight for most dumbbell movements is 35 pounds for women (and 50 pounds for men), consider getting a range of weights to build to that optimal weight. If budget and space are particularly tight, you might want to try adjustable bells that allow you to add weight gradually. (More: The Best Dumbbells to Add to Your Home Gym)

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are a staple in CrossFit boxes. If you have one — or better yet, two — in your at-home gym, you'll be able to complete movements such as kettlebell swings, kettlebell snatches, farmer carries, sumo kettlebell deadlift, high-pulls, and goblet squats (among others). Your experience and strength should determine how heavy you go. Pick a weight with which you can comfortably do 10 kettlebell swings with good form. (See also: All the Epic Benefits You Get from Doing the Kettlebell Swing)

Medicine Ball

Soft medicine balls are seriously under-appreciated. They are the tool used for mastering the med ball clean (one of the nine basic movements in CrossFit). They're also essential to squat therapy and can add weight to moves such as the goblet squat.

Rower

Any CrossFitter knows you don't need much to get in a good cardio workout. You can get your heart rate up with simply a jump rope, a pair of running sneaks, and a bike or rower. The rower is a CrossFit fave because it works your arms, core, and posterior chain all while improving your cardiovascular capacity. So while it's the most expensive thing on the list, you'll get a big bang for your buck. Just make sure you know how to use a rowing machine correctly.