The Best CrossFit Equipment of 2021

Best Plyo Box: BalanceFrom 3-in-1 Foam Plyometric Box

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Plyo boxes are excellent tools for building explosive strength and conditioning your cardiovascular system simultaneously. However, many CrossFitters scrape their shins (and sometimes slip and trip) on plyo boxes made exclusively of metal or wood. That’s why this foam plyo box is ideal—if you misjudge your distance or attempt a final box jump on tired legs, you’re way less likely to get injured.

This box is 16 pounds, which makes it sturdy enough to jump on safely when it’s braced against a wall. It also comes in a 60-pound version that doesn’t need additional support. Because it has a different length, depth, and height, you can position the foam box in three different ways to create a challenging box jump experience from anywhere.

Best Jump Rope: Rogue Fitness SR-1 Bearing Speed Rope

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Jumping rope is one of the most effective aerobic exercises you can add to a CrossFit workout, elevating your heart rate and burning calories while toning muscles from head to toe. But a quality speed rope is critical for a smooth jumping experience. (There’s nothing worse than using a rope that catches, killing your rhythm as it whips your arms and legs.) You can’t go wrong with this pick from Rogue, a leading brand in the CrossFit world.

The bearings system used in this speed rope enables you to reach top-end revolutions, and the nylon coating on the 10-foot-long adjustable jumping cable gives it both speed and durability.

The 6-inch handles rotate independently of the rope so you can maintain a comfortable grip without worrying about the cable twisting or snagging. It’s also one of the most affordable pieces of equipment on this list and comes in a variety of fun colors.

Best Kettlebell: AGM Group Elite Kettlebell

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Kettlebells are a CrossFit staple because they provide a variety of ways to position and grip heavier weights. You can use them for slower, more controlled movements like upright rows, or you can use them for more explosive movements like hip swings. When it comes to lifting with kettlebells, your workout options are limitless.

These kettlebells from AGM Group are ideal for home gym setups because they aren’t made entirely of cast iron. Instead, they have a soft covering around the ball of the kettlebell, which means you’re less likely to damage your floor if you drop them. The weight is well balanced, and the comfortable hand grip design enables you to use them for virtually any exercise.

Best Parallette Bars: Juperbsky Push-Up Stands Bars Parallettes Set

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If you’re hyperfocused on upper body gains during your CrossFit workouts, you need a set of portable parallette bars for your home gym. They help challenge both your strength and mobility while improving wrist and hand strength in ways that traditional weightlifting cannot. From pushups to arm balances to dips to core-burning L-sits, you can get a lot of use out of parallette bars.

These Juperbsky parallettes are made with durable steel and can handle up to 2,200 pounds. The wide bases with slip-resistant caps on each end provide excellent stability, which is necessary if you’re going to trust them enough to attempt balancing movements. What’s more, the angle of the handgrips is designed to prevent wrist fatigue, helping you train harder and for longer periods of time.

Best Free Weights Set: IRUI Adjustable Fitness Dumbbells Set

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Many CrossFitters are accustomed to having a wide range of barbells and weight plates in their gym (or "box") but they take up a lot of space in home gym setups and it costs a pretty penny to accumulate that sort of collection. For this reason, you're better off getting an adjustable free weight set like this one from IRUI that can be converted into a barbell setup whenever your workout warrants it.

The adjustable dumbbell set comes in three weight varieties so you can opt for the one that best suits your strength training needs. The rod that connects the free weights into a barbell formation is covered in a rubber coating that provides optimal grip, and the embossing on the dumbbells prevents unwanted rolling. Because these come in light and heavy versions, they are safe even for novice CrossFitters to use during a solo WOD (workout of the day).

Best Ab Mat: Elite Sportz Equipment Abdominal Sit Up Pad

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It’s important to support your body through tough core exercises with a quality ab mat. These mats specifically provide additional lumbar support that helps you engage targeted muscles more efficiently and avoid straining your lower back at the same time.

We all know how easy it is to tweak our backs when we’re already tired and cranking out crunches with less-than-optimal form, so any time you plan on doing abdominal work in a supine position, remember your ab mat.

This simple ab mat from Elite Sportz is well made and provides the exact support you need for working your core during a CrossFit workout. It’s not too hard and not too soft, and it helps you use your entire range of motion and proper form as you build impressive ab strength. The ab mat also comes with a one-year warranty.

Best Air Bike: XTERRA Fitness Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro

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When it comes to the aerobic component of CrossFit, you can’t beat the efficiency of an air bike. Powered solely by your physical effort, the bike engages your entire body and elevates your heart rate quickly while also being kind to your joints. Air bike intervals burn maximum calories and keep your blood pumping as you move through the rest of your workout.

This XTERRA air bike has an unlimited range of air resistance, so the faster you pedal, the harder the workout becomes. The industrial-grade chain drive system makes the bike very durable and reliable, and the LCD display shares data like rotations per minute, speed, total time, distance covered, calories burned, and watts generated.

The pedals have an anti-slip grip, and the handlebars have several ergonomic grip options for both customizability and comfort. It’s a quality cardio tool that CrossFitters of all levels can use successfully.