New to SCFIT – and wondering “What Accessories Do I Need for CrossFit?”. You’re not alone – this is one of the most common questions we hear from a new member in the first week! The good news is, if you’re just starting out as a total beginner in CrossFit at SCFIT, you’re going to need very little. That being said, there are a few items that may help you along your way as you start your CrossFit journey!
Your first CrossFit class
All you really need for your first ever CrossFit class is a good attitude – seriously! Your CrossFit coach will look after everything else. Arriving with a positive, open mind will set you up for better success than the world’s fanciest accessories or supplements. We mean it!
At SCFIT – Home of Second City CrossFit, you don’t even really need a water bottle – we’ve got a water fountain in the corner of the gym floor just for our members! To save running over to it mid workout though, we’d recommend bringing a water bottle. Stick to metal or plastic – no glass, please! The best water bottles for a CrossFit class are ones with a decent lid, and that won’t be damaged if they’re knocked over. It’s not uncommon for members to be moving around the gym space in class – perhaps moving between equipment or stations – so having something sturdy that won’t break if accidentally boshed is always a good idea. A firm favourite in the SCFIT community are YETI bottles – virtually unbreakable, and they come in a huge range of colours, although they don’t come cheap!
Do I need my own Skipping Rope for CrossFit?
A skipping rope is one of the few pieces of actual equipment where members will often bring their own. Everything else that appears in class (weights, barbells, dumbbells, you name it!) is always provided in a CrossFit gym, but it’s very common for a CrossFit gym to expect you to bring you own skipping rope. At SCFIT though, we’ve got you covered: we have a range of special SC-branded skipping ropes for members to use in class, so you don’t need to rush to buy one! That being said, you may find you like a particular style of handle or length of rope, especially as you become more adept at performing the infamous double-unders.
Eager to buy your own? Start with something simple such as a skipping rope from Bulldog Gear. They’re adjustable, so if you don’t get the length right first go, you can adjust as needed! Just don’t be too hasty in cutting the rope until you’ve tried it for a few classes. If you’re set on your preferred rope length, SGF are a great option – they are the supplier of our ropes at SCFIT!
If you’re confident with double-unders and want to level up your game, check out Velites. An official sponsor of the CrossFit Games, they offer a wide range of jump ropes including weighted ropes and handles (yep, it’s a thing!) so be sure to double check what you’re ordering before you hit ‘check out’ to avoid any nasty weighted-surprises!
Should I Buy Gymnastic Grips?
This is a big one: grips, or no grips? If you’re serious about working on your gymnastics, this is likely to be a firm yes. However, don’t rush into it! There is a lot to be said for building up some tolerance and toughness in your hands so that you don’t become completely reliant on gymnastic grips. Think of them as a tool to prevent tearing, allowing you to increase volume in your gymnastic practice, not as the solution to being able to hang from a bar.
Our recommendation? For all strict work (which, if you’re new to CrossFit, you should be doing a lot of before you dive into the world of kipping!) go bare-handed. Grip strength has a huge carry over to many other movements, from kettlebell swings to olympic lifting, and will help toughen up your hands a little for things like farmer’s carries. As you start exploring kipping, try out some grips to protect your palms from tearing. Once again, Velites offer an extensive range and are one of the most popular brands amongst members at SCFIT, but you’ll also see many gym members sporting Victory Grips, For:Time Fitness Grips and Bear Komplex Grips to name just a few! If you can, try before you buy – simply ask around the gym for recommendations and see what feels comfortable!
What about Knee Sleeves?
Unless you have been recommended to wear knee sleeves by a doctor or physiotherapist, the general advice would be to not use knee sleeves. There is a common misconception that they ‘only do good’, and are needed if you’re going to squat heavy, or that they can magically fix pain. In reality, they are great at keeping the knees warm (so if your joints really struggle in the cold, this could be a big help), but the likelihood is that if you feel like you need knee sleeves to be able to do a workout, it’s a sign that there might be an underlying problem that needs addressing. Pain could be a sign of injury, or muscular imbalances, which could (hopefully!) be easily diagnosed – and perhaps even cured – by working with a qualified physiotherapist.
Moreover, wearing knee sleeves all of the time could in fact hinder your progress – the layer of material in the crease of your knee limits range in the joint, meaning you may not be building strength through the full range of motion. Usually, full range of movement is best – so it shouldn’t automatically be avoided without consulting a pro first. If you’re struggling with knee pain and feel like you are relying on knee sleeves (or are thinking about buying some), consider booking in with Gemma for Physio or Mike for a movement assessment at Arca Physiotherapy. You might just find that you can solve the underlying issue for the long term, without needing to go shopping for knee sleeves!
SHOES! We haven’t covered shoes yet…
This, friends, is a topic we’ll save for another day! There are TONS of great functional fitness shoes our there – some specifically designed for CrossFit, some hybrid shoes designed to be great all-rounders if you’re doing more running and jumping, some harder soled shoes designed for Olympic weightlifting, and everything in between! It can be overwhelming.
So, if you’re starting out in CrossFit, our recommendation for now would be to wear a pair of shoes that are:
- Comfortable. Hopefully this one is pretty obvious…!
- Flat-ish. Generally shoes with a flatter sole work well for weightlifting, as opposed to very bouncy running shoes. If you’re attending HYROX classes, you may prefer a more cushioned sole to support the volume of running.
- Stable & Secure. You won’t want much lateral movement in your shoes to make sure they stay on, and to keep your ankles safe! If you can roll your foot to either side easily, avoid.
- Clean. This one’s not just for us – it’s for you too. You might be doing press up and burpees on the very same bit of floor that you’re standing on, so keeping the gym floor clean isn’t just to make it look nice: it’s for your health and wellbeing too.
We’ll follow up with another article diving into specific shoe recommendations soon!
All the gear and no idea?
That old chestnut! There is certainly a lot of light-hearted fun poked at CrossFitters for having ALL the gear (but we’re confident that you’ll have plenty of idea, too! 😉 ) and whilst this may seem a little unfair… there is a bit of truth behind it. Fancy accessories are no replacement for poor movement patterns, and certainly don’t make up for a closed mindset or negative attitude. So, if you’re just starting out, have that new nervous-excitement for your first month of CrossFit or HYROX classes and have seen fellow members sporting all kinds of straps, ropes and accessories, and are constantly wondering “what accessories do I need for CrossFit?” – well, don’t worry: focus on mastering the basics, and you’ll naturally discover what items will help you on your fitness journey as you go.
Are you looking for a new, welcoming CrossFit gym in Birmingham? You’re in the right place! Book your Free Intro chat with a member of the team.
Existing member, and eager to chat to a coach about a specific accessory? Contact us! We’re always happy to help.