CrossFit Gear for Women

With CrossFit becoming more and more popular a lot of ladies are venturing into their local Crossfit box.

CrossFit requires you to perform a variety of movements by combining the best parts of weightlifting, plyometrics, running, and other gym activities.

However to the unprepared their is a lot of different equipment and clothing available and it can be a little bit daunting if you are just starting out.​

CrossFit Gear for Women​

While CrossFit can be an effective way for women to get in shape, these workouts require a few pieces of equipment and accessories. To get the most out of these exercises, you should check out the following list of essential CrossFit gear for women.

CrossFit Training Shoes

The most important piece of gear that you need for an effective CrossFit workout is a good pair of shoes. Most brands have several designs that are built specifically for CrossFit training.

For your first training session your regular sneakers or running shoes may be okay but if you a start to take your training a little more seriously you should really invest in the best crossfit shoes for women that you can afford. ​

CrossFit training shoes tend to have flatter heels and wider, flexible soles compared to a regular weightlifting shoe. These features help provide additional support for side-to-side movement and transitions. They also have a solid heel, which gives stability for lifting weights, instead of allowing your heel to sink into a cushioned heel pad.

Wrist Wraps

Wrist wraps offer protection when performing exercises that involve the wrists, such as overhead barbell lifts, pull-ups, and push-ups. These are especially useful for women who have weak wrists.

There are a lot of exercises in a typical CrossFit workout that requires wrist movement. If you do not have strong wrists, there is a risk of injury when applying too much weight. The wraps provide support while you begin to develop stronger wrists.

Athletic Tape and Chalk

Athletic tape may not be needed for long. However, when you first start working with ropes, climbing, and performing pull-ups, you may develop blisters and burns. The athletic tape covers your soft hands to help prevent damage that may keep you sidelined for several days.

If you stick to the workouts, you should eventually develop calluses on the palms of your hands. As these calluses develop, you may no longer need the tape. However, it is an essential item for beginners.

You may also use hand grips as an alternative to athletic tape. These grips cover your palms and offer the same protection as athletic tape. Some women find the hand grips easier to deal with compared to the tape.

Chalk is another item that helps with your grip. With a little bit of chalk, you can keep your hands dry, which helps prevent slipping. It is cheap, compact, and easy to throw into your gym bag.

Knee-High Socks or Knee Wraps

Knee-high socks provide a little extra protection for your skin when climbing a rope. Knee socks also shield your shins when performing box jumps or deadlifts.

You may also want to consider using knee wraps or knee sleeves. Similar to the wrist wraps, the knee wraps help provide compression and stabilization. You may find these wraps useful when performing squats and heavy lifting. They can also be worn over or under your pants or on your bare legs when wearing shorts.

Weightlifting Belt

A weightlifting belt is another piece of gear that offers extra stability and support when lifting. The belt wraps around your waist, applying compression and helping you keep your core engaged.

Jump Rope

A rope is a necessary piece of equipment for most CrossFit workouts. Some workouts may require you to jump rope and perform double unders. There are also different types of ropes, such as speed ropes.

The speed ropes are lighter, allowing you to spin the rope with less force, resulting in faster rotations. As they are lighter, they also take up less room in your bag.

Resistance Bands

Along with ropes, you may want to consider packing several resistance bands. Most resistance band sets include three bands, offering a range of resistance levels. If you are not used to weightlifting or performing pull-ups, the resistance bands also provide a suitable alternative.

Headband

While a headband may not be an essential item, many women find them convenient. With a headband, you do not need to constantly stop what you are doing to brush the hair from your face. It also helps keep sweat from getting in your eyes and running down your face.

If you want the most protection from sweat, choose a wide headband. The wider headbands provide more material for absorbing sweat and are less likely to slide out of place during your workouts.

Notebook or CrossFit App

Most people prefer to keep track of their workouts in a journal. You can simply throw a notebook and a pen into your gym bag. There are also many CrossFit mobile apps. You can install the app on your smartphone or tablet and easily record your results and performance at the end of each workout.

These mobile apps also typically include extra features that you may find useful during your CrossFit exercises. For example, the app may include a timer for performing intervals along with benchmarks and detailed performance graphs.

Athletic Shorts and Bras

You also need to wear the right clothes for your CrossFit workouts. You do not want to wear anything that will restrict movement or that may get caught on a barbell. Most women prefer to wear athletic attire.

Athletic shorts and bras are commonly made with spandex or various blends of spandex with different ratios of polyester and nylon. These materials are breathable and provide a tight fit without restricting your movement.

Gym Bag

You also need somewhere to store all your gear. When choosing a gym bag, look for a bag that is big enough to hold your items, including your training shoes. Some of the best gym bags have a separate compartment for storing your sweaty shoes, helping to keep the odor from getting to your other equipment.

If you do not have the budget for everything on this list, your local gym may have some of the items that you need, such as weightlifting belts, ropes, and chalk. While these items may help you get started, you still need a quality pair of CrossFit training shoes.