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Gear for CrossFit: Whatcha Need Versus What’s Nice to Have

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Hi, I'm Tina!

I’m the owner of Carrots ‘N’ Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). I use macros and functional nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals.

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I receive all sorts of inquires about my CrossFit gear, including specific questions about my favorite products as well as my thoughts about what someone new to CrossFit should buy. Obviously, I’m not an elite athlete and everyone’s needs are different, but here are some of the things I personally use in my CrossFit workouts: gear I cannot WOD without and gear that I think is just nice to have.

WHATCHA NEED:

 

Reebok CrossFit Nano 3.0

When I first joined CrossFit, I was one of those people who thought you could wear any old sneakers, so I wore my running sneakers for the first couple of months. Eventually, I saw everyone at my box wearing flat, minimalist shoes, so I finally tried a pair. Immediately, I loved how they felt during a WOD and the rest is history.

I’m love with the Reebok CrossFit Nano 3.0 and recommend them to everyone. I recently reviewed them on CNC, so be sure to check it out if you’re thinking about purchasing a pair. They really, truly make a difference in my performance at CrossFit.

reebok nano 3.0

This video below features Rich Froning, the three-time Fittest Man on Earth, further speaking to the benefits and features of the Reebok Nano 3.0.

Jump rope

Like the sneakers, I thought any old jump rope would do for CrossFit workouts. I honestly thought they were all the same. Mal went out and bought a jump rope right away, but I waited a good year before I finally bought one. (Remember my Two Stories About Double Unders?) I’m actually sort of pissed at myself because I waited so long to buy a good jump rope””it made Double Unders so much easier for me! FYI: I have the Again Faster Revolution X Rope and love it.

again faster jump rope
[image source]

Notebook/WOD Log Book

I’ve blogged a bunch about performance tracking and how important it is in CrossFit. A WOD Log Book is definitely a necessity. When you have a record of your workouts and lifts, you always have a personal goal to surpass, and CrossFit is all about being better than yesterday. And, of course, it’s always motivating to see how far your fitness level has progressed!

crossfit notebook

Headband

Ok, this one is personal, but I can’t WOD without a headband. I have crazy hair (frizzy layers and whatnot) and sweat like a beast, so I hate having any sort of hair stuck to my face or neck. I love JUNK bands for CrossFit. They come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns. I like the regular size ones that tie.

junk_band

WHAT’S NICE TO HAVE:

 

Knee-high socks

You know those high socks that you see CrossFitters wear? Well, they’re not just a fashion trend! They actually protect your shins from all sorts of CrossFit-related movements””from deadlifts to box jumps to rope climbs. Of course, you could easily wear long pants or just deal with the scrapes and bruises (like some people do), but knee-high socks are a great addition to your CrossFit gear. My favorites: Reebok CrossFit Socks and, obviously, my new “Zombie Killa” socks from Sox Box. So fun!

zombie killa socks

Olympic Lifting Shoes

Ok, there’s definitely a pattern here”¦ Mal bought Olympic lifting shoes within a few months of starting CrossFit; I waited more than a year to buy them. I love CrossFit and all, but Olympic lifts just aren’t my thing. Honestly, lifting heavy weights, especially over my head, bugs me out. I’d much rather do a metcon or WOD with heavy-ish weights than try for a 1RM or something like that. Long story short, Olympic lifts aren’t my favorite, so I didn’t buy Oly shoes for the longest time. But, after wearing them a few times, I realized they 100% make a difference in my lifts. I feel so much more stable (and confident), so my lifts have started to improve. I have the Reebok CrossFit Lifters and really like them.

reebok olympic lifting shoes

Hand Grips

I have the wussiest hands ever, so no matter what I do, they always end up ripping. I usually end up taping my hands before a workout on the bar, but I recently discovered hand grips, which slip on your middle and ring fingers and velcro around your wrists, which is a whole lot quicker than dealing with tape.

I just got the Again Faster Grips a couple of weeks ago, so I’m still trying to get used to them, but I like them so far, especially if the WOD doesn’t have a ton of bar stuff in it. I can just throw them on and not deal with a 5-minute taping project. I still prefer tape, but I’ve heard once you break in the hand grips, they’re awesome.

again faster grips (450x600)

Wrist Wraps

I don’t personally use wrist wraps, but when I showed this post to Mal, he insisted that I include them. He uses the Schiek Wraps (12”) all the time in his workouts. They provide added wrist support during overhead and heavy lifts.

image_24612_original_X_450_white
[source]

Callus Shaver

I saved the best for last! Haha!

Ok, this one is really gross, but it makes a world of difference when it comes to hand maintenance. Basically, when you use your hands a lot in CrossFit, you develop some pretty gnarly calluses, which build up and then rip””often during a WOD””which is both painful and disgusting.

To prevent this from happening, you can literally shave down your calluses using a pedicure tool like the one below. I usually wait until the end of my shower when the skin on my hands is nice and soft, and then I shave down the calluses on my hands, which prevents them from ripping later on. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? I know it sounds nasty, but it helps so much. I swear!

300
[source]

Question of the Day

CrossFit friends: When it comes to gear, what do you need versus what’s nice to have?

P.S. Speaking of CrossFit, I loved this post: Three Reasons to Get Upset About CrossFit.

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