Ever think about getting Crossfit certified and starting your own facility? Or maybe someone has just told you about it and got you thinking of doing it on your own to see how it is. Probably one of the first questions you are going to ask yourself is what kind of Crossfit equipment will I need.
Well you can put away your elliptical and your pec deck. Crossfit equipment is much simpler and usually less expensive. Since Crossfit incorporates functional movements that us as humans do on a regular basis it makes sense to keep it simple. Most of the equipment that you see in crossfit gym looks like stuff straight out of your elementary school gymnasium.
In my opinion the three main exercises that are most common in your “WOD’s” (workouts of the Day) are pushups, pullups, and squats. For pushups, situps and other on floor exercises it is good to have a cusioned mat. Mats also are good for high impact jumping and plyometric type activities. Pull up bars are a must in any Crossfit gym as is a bucket with Chalk for you soon to be bleeding hands. For squats it is good to have a big medicine ball so that you know when you have gone low enough in your squat. These balls are also good for “wall ball” a common Crossfit exercise that will have you coming out of a squat and throwing the ball against a wall at ten feet.
Another piece of Crossfit equipment you can not go without is your Kettlebells. Russian Kettlebell’s have been around for a long time but did not make it to main stream America until recently. The Kettlebell is comparable to a dumbell but allows for many more unique exercises. One of the staple kettlebell workouts is the Kettlebell swing. In this exercise the person will grip the kettlebell with one hand or both between his spread legs and with straight arms swing the bell above his head then let is drop down between the legs and repeat. This one will get your heart going.
Small medicine balls are an essential part of your crossfit equipment. Small medicine balls are used for many different abdominal exercises. The medicine ball is also used for a popular exercise called slam ball. Small medicine balls are great as added weight for runs and lunges.
A rope hanging from the ceiling is a very common piece of crossfit equipment that is used mostly for climbing exercises. Also, boxes for plyometrics and box jumps as well as jump ropes are a must have.
For the heavier equipment you will want a squat rack with an Olympic barbell for heavy squats and push press, as well as plates ranging in weight from 2 1/2 pounds to 45 pounds. You will also want to think about investing in a static back rack for back extensions.