How to Build a CrossFit Home Gym (Home Gym Starter Guide)

If you’re building a home gym, it’s important to understand what the best crossfit equipment for home is.

With many gyms closed or at moderate capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever are turning to home gym solutions to get their CrossFit (or fitness) fix.

Doing some research and understanding exactly what your home facility needs will not only help you save money now, but over the years, too. Here’s the gear you need to get started.

The Essential CrossFit Equipment for a Home Gym

In this first section, we’ll highlight the CrossFit equipment at home gear you’ll need to keep getting fitter outside of a box.

Without these basic tools, you’ll be unable to complete a lot of CrossFit workouts as prescribed or at least have to make some serious modifications.

Most of this equipment is strength-based, and we’ll just go ahead and admit that some of it can be pricey. Just remember, though: that if you get the right equipment now, it’ll be a one-time purchase. In the grand scheme of things, a few hundred dollars now can save you thousands over the years on gym memberships.

Also, unlike body building CrossFit is meant to have a lot of variation of exercises. This is why we recommend that you first learn the different variations from a CrossFit coach at your nearest CrossFit Box/gym first. Once you have mastered this, there is no reason for you to continue paying. Just build your own gym and save money over time.

Read Also: Top 6 Best Men’s compression shorts for CrossFit

Here are 5 essential pieces of CrossFt at home gym equipment, along with our top recommendation for each.

CrossFit equipment in a home gym

Squat Rack

Why you need it: For compound movements, such as back squats, front squats and rack pulls. Also useful for rigging up other pieces of equipment, like bands or pull-up bars.

Read Also: Upper and Lower back workouts at home for a superb physique

The Rogue R4 Power Rack

  • Rogue quality assurance
  • Made in the USA
  • Compatible with Rogue infinity products
Rogue R-4 Power Rack

The squat rack is the cornerstone piece of equipment for any home gym. It enables its owner to perform compound exercises that are essential to CrossFit programming (mainly squats, but other exercises too), and is often used to perform other exercises like pull-ups as well.

It’s no coincidence that it’s also one of the most expensive and bulky pieces you’ll need for your gym. As such, we recommend the Rogue R4 as the best power rack. It’s costly, but it’s built to last meaning that this will only ever be a one-time purchase.

The average CrossFit Box monthly pricing is around $175/month. So a power rack like this is less than a year payback if you can learn to maximize your exercises with it.

The R4 also offers space inside the rack, which gives you room for other exercises. Many racks are so narrow you wind up bumping your elbows on them during back squats. It also comes with a pull-up bar.

Weight Bench

Why you need it: For exercises like the bench press or accessory movements like the one-armed row; another essential piece of equipment for developing upper body strength.

Read Also: Military Calisthenics workouts – build your own boot camp at home

Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0

  • 6 positions
  • Minimal pad gap
  • Portable
Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0

Again, we recommend a Rogue product here: the Rogue Adjustable Bench 2.0. Most fitness enthusiasts have sat on an adjustable bench that felt awkward, small or unstable. This bench is reinforced with rubber caps to prevent sliding and the padded material is naturally grippy for your back.

Getting an adjustable bench is ideal, as it enables you to perform exercises like the incline bench press. Without an adjustable bench press, you’ll be forced to stack boxes under a traditional one, which is dangerous.

There are lots of bench presses out there, but this one is by far the best you’ll find for your home CrossFit gym.

CrossFit Barbell

Why you need it: The barbell is the #1 tool you’ll use to express and develop fitness at home.

You won’t get far in CrossFit without a great barbell. It’s used in squats, deadlifts and presses, Olympic lifts like the clean and snatch, and other exercises like the sumo deadlift high pull.

Read Also: At home strength training workouts for women

Rogue Bar 2.0

  • Functionally fit for CrossFit and looks beautiful
  • Good whip and 190 PSI steel strength
  • Manufactured in the U.S.A
The Rogue Bar 2.0

The Rogue Bar 2.0 offers all the features you need to do a CrossFit WOD: good knurling, composite bushings to help maintain spin of the bar (important for Olympic lifts) and tensile strength to hold up to big lifts performed at high intensities.

As it’s used for so many different movements in CrossFit, this is one area you won’t want to skimp. However, the Rogue Bar is also reasonably priced compared to most other pieces of equipment that offer the same benefits. There’s a reason Rogue sponsors the CrossFit games, though-this is the best tool out there.

Adjustable Dumbbells

Why you need it: For certain types of workouts, to perform accessory lifts, and to conserve space.

Read Also: Best Bicep workouts and exercises for massive arms

Rogue Loadable Dumbbells

  • Adjustable weight
  • Knurled handle for grip
  • User with Rogue bumpers
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells

One downside to buying an entire rack of dumbbells is the amount of space it takes up in the garage or basement. Most people don’t have an entire wall they can dedicate to their equipment.

Most CrossFit workouts call for the same 3 to 4 weights in WODs anyway (35/50/70s). But even buying those sets of weights can be very costly.

That’s why we recommend adjustable dumbbells. You get the most bang for your buck, and save a ton of floor space in the process.

Specifically, we think the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are the way to go-pretty much for the same reasons we recommend Rogue’s barbell.

Dip Bars

Why you need it: For building upper body pressing strength, working on gymnastic skills and doing accessory work.

Read Also: CrossFit Chest Workouts – big, strong, and functional

Rogue Infinity Matador

  • Compatible with Rogue power rack
  • Easy to install
  • Extremely stable
Rogue Infinity Matador

Dips are an amazing exercise that build up strength in your triceps, shoulders and forearms.

CrossFit workouts don’t call for regular dips that often, but having a dip bar can be an especially effective way to improve your ring dip strength, work on muscle ups or build up the back part of your arms.

Dips are also great accessory movements for improving your overhead and bench press numbers.

As for gear, we like the Rogue Matador dip bar. They’re heavy duty, portable, anchor easily into a wall or rack and only weigh 26lbs.

And an added bonus: these dip bars will also plug in perfectly to your Rogue rack. Another reason to keep it all in the family.

The Extras

As you may already know, the list of gym equipment you need for CrossFit training is long and always growing. While it’s nice to have a jump rope, kettlebell or gymnastic rings, we’ve narrowed this section down to the few “extras” you might not need day one, but ultimately will need to complete many workouts.

And while not required, the final item on this list is just as important as some of the other basics listed above.

Rower

Why it’s beneficial: Enables you to do more varieties of cardio workouts, row during WODs, and work on pulling power.

Read Also: 7 Tough CrossFit rowing workouts to test your fitness

Black Concept 2 Model D

  • PM5 performance monitor
  • Durable design
  • Easy to assemble
Black Concept 2 Rower

If you’ve been doing CrossFit for a while, you might be thinking: “How did the rower make it into extras? That seems pretty fundamental.”

The truth is, you could, in a pinch, run for your cardio during most of your workouts. Running and rowing are easy to sub, so if you’re on a budget, the rower can wait.

However, rowing is such a fundamental part of CrossFit that you’ll lose out on a big cardiovascular advantage if you wait too long.

The Black Concept 2 Model D is the erg we recommend most. Nothing fancy; this is simply the one you see in pretty much every CrossFit gym. That’s for a reason.

Air Bike

Why it’s beneficial: Training cardio, challenge workouts and really pushing yourself.

Read Also: Top 6 Best Air Bike Workouts For CrossFit

Rogue Echo Bike

  • Max stability
  • Smooth ride
  • LCD display
Rogue Echo Bike handles

If you’re really looking to take your cardio to the next level, the air bike should be your next home gym purchase.

Anyone that’s ever been on our top pick, the Rogue Echo Bike, doesn’t need further explanation. Even moderate intensity will crush the uninitiated, and give you a hell of a cardio workout you won’t forget any time soon.

There are other air bikes that can work, but cheaper versions of these machines are notorious for needing repairs and falling apart. So while this might be the second piece of home cardio equipment you purchase, be sure to get something good.

Battle Ropes

Why it’s beneficial: Good for cross training and general conditioning work.

By now, you’ve equipped your gym with pretty much everything you need to get a great workout. At least these next two products are true additions that can take your home gym over the top.

Read Also: 5 Reasons why should incorporate Battle Rope workouts into your training regimen

Rev V2 Sleeved Battle Rope

  • Four sizes available
  • Very durable
  • PolyDacron material
REP V2 Sleeve Battle Rope

Battle ropes are a great full body workout that torch your arms and shoulders while getting your heart rate up. They’re awesome for intervals, metcons and EMOM style workouts.

Not all ropes are created equally, however. Cheap battle rope products tend to fray quickly or fall apart. That’s why we like the Rep V2 Color battle ropes.

They are concealed inside of a sleeve, which helps reduce wear and tear and also can reduce noise impact on the floor if that’s an issue for your home fitness center.

Medicine Ball

Why it’s beneficial: Wall balls, slam balls and core exercises.

At least relatively speaking, medicine balls are low-cost in terms of what they can offer your home gym. For between $60 and $120, you can acquire a piece of brand new equipment that enables you to do wall balls, floor slams and core exercises like Russian twists.

Read Also: 4 amazing slam ball workouts for CrossFit

Rogue Medicine Balls

  • Quality construction
  • Made in the U.S.A
  • Two-year warranty
Rogue Medicine Balls

If you’ve ever been to a CrossFit gym before, you’ve no doubt seen a wall ball in rough shape. The laces tend to fall apart and these things dismantle quicker than almost any other piece of equipment. Others tend to displace their weight and come down like rocks falling from the ceiling when you perform wall balls.

But the best medicine balls won’t do that. For our money, it’s the (you guessed it) Rogue Medicine Balls. Ranging from 6 to 30lbs and made from heavy duty materials, this piece of equipment will hold up and help you gain core strength, coordination and cardio.

Flooring

Why it’s beneficial: It’s a long-term investment that will protect all your other gear.

If you were going to “splurge” on any one item that isn’t necessary from day one, make it home gym flooring.

In the same way that you wouldn’t buy a new car without getting car insurance, home gym flooring ensures that all the products you buy get used safely during workouts.

It’s seriously risky to be dropping barbells, dumbbells or even medicine balls on the ground as often as is required in CrossFit without the right flooring. You could damage your floors, your brand new equipment or both in a matter of days.

Read Also: Training Mental Toughness – 7 Mental Skills for CrossFit PRs

BalanceFrom Flooring

  • Resilient design
  • Moisture resisant technology
  • Easy to assemble
BalanceFrom gym flooring

BalanceFrom flooring offers a low-cost, easy to assemble puzzle flooring that works great for home gyms. You can also get matting of various degrees of thickness depending on what surface your home gym is built on.

For durability and comfort, we recommend using the 1″ thick mat.

We also like this brand because of the color options. Brand your home gym how you want and really make it your own.

For more CrossFit workout information, head on over to our gear guides. Thanks for reading this CrossFit equipment at home guide and good luck building your gym!