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Thinking about outfitting your spare room or garage port with CrossFit equipment? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that it is possible to do so without spending a jacked arm and leg. High-quality yet budget-friendly CrossFit equipment does exist!

That doesn’t mean all lower-cost CrossFit home gym equipment is quality, however—it takes a little savvy to discern the low-cost, low-quality stuff from the low-cost, high-quality stuff. And that’s exactly why we put together this guide. 

Ahead, a round-up of the best budget CrossFit equipment that’s long-lasting, well-made, and cost-conscious. 

Just as you’d trust Tommy Marquez and Sean Woodland to tell you which up-and-coming CrossFitters you should be watching, you should trust us to tell you which CrossFit equipment you should be buying for your garage gym (or living room gym or office gym). As a team of reviewers, we’ve tested all of the best barbells, dumbbells, air bikes, rowers, and jump ropes on the market, and more. Yep, all the equipment below is tried and true. 

Why CrossFit athletes will love these: At just $89, there’s no question that the F2C Barbell Stands are budget-friendly. Made from two adjustable, separate legs, they’re also small-space friendly. 

The F2C Barbell Stand is the love-child of a squat rack and origami fortune teller. While most squat and power racks are four-sided cages teeming with versatility, this product is not. Adjustable, portable, and space-efficient, this simple stand is made up of two legs that you can position side-by-side when you want to squat, or stash aside when you don’t. 

Each of the steel legs can be raised and lowered between 41 and 66 inches. The top of each leg is outfitted with spotters that hold your barbell the same way that J-cups do on a standard rack. When you want to squat, bench, or press, simply adjust the stands to your desired height and distance apart, and get working. 

This small-but-mighty stand can hold a hearty 440 pounds at its max (66-inch) height. Few CrossFitters press, bench, or squat more than that, but of course, some can! If you’re a young buck looking to compete at the highest levels of the sport—AKA, the CrossFit Games—you run the risk of out-gaining this squat stand. 

Because the legs are adjustable and can be stored separately, this low cost is an especially good option for people who don’t have a space they can dedicate exclusively to their home gym. 

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: The Bells of Steel Utility Bar offers the same PSI (pounds per square inch) tensile strength as the best Olympic barbells on the market. But, it costs half the price! 

The Bells of Steel Utility Bar is half the cost of many other bars of the same quality on the market. Ringing up at just $199—barely more than a pair of weightlifting shoes—this bar is designed to be both rigid enough for the three power lifts (squat, deadlift, press) but with enough whip and spin for the Olympic lifts (clean, snatch, and jerk). Hello, multi-tasker!

Most impressive about this 20-kilogram bar is the fact that it has 190K PSI tensile strength. PSI tensile strength measures how much stress, or weight, the bar can endure before it snaps. For a sense of just how mighty this bar is: 150 to 180K PSI tensile strength would be more than adequate for most CrossFitters. 

The knurl (the markings that coat the bar where you grip it) is rather passive. That means you won’t have to worry about ripping during WODs with high-rep Olympic lifts. But don’t worry, load lovers, it has enough grip that it won’t slip out of your hands while you pull big weights. 

Why CrossFit athletes will love these: These spring collars allow you to lock weights onto your bar so you don’t have to worry about plates slipping and sliding, and a pair of them only costs $8. 

CrossFitters are notorious for not using collars (even during one rep max tests and Olympic weightlifting sessions…). There’s absolutely no doubt that barbell clips, also called collars, make lifting safer. After all, collars keep the weights from falling off the bar and clanging and banging around the gym. (The one exception: benching solo). 

Admittedly, collars are unexpectedly pricey. (Most of the collars available from Rogue Fitness, for example, cost more than $50, including the OSO collars in our guide to the best CrossFit equipment overall). But with this solid set of collars available for just $8, there’s really no excuse not to invest in these safety tools. 

The only downside of these collars is that their locking mechanism is spring tension, which means that they require more grip strength to put on and take off the bar compared to clips. This may throw you for a loop during WODs with ascending or descending weights, but there’s nothing a little chalk can’t fix, right? 

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: A common box in CrossFit gyms, the Rogue Flat Pack Games Box is stable and relatively inexpensive.

Rogue Fitness doesn’t normally appear on lists with “budget” in the title, so our team of product testers was pleased when, after tons of research, the Rogue Fitness Flat Pack Games Box proved to be the best option for the price.

Cardio exercises like box jumps, box step-overs, and burpee box jumps make a regular appearance in CrossFit workouts. So, if you want to be able to do these staples, you’re going to need a plyometric box. 

There are two main types of plyometric boxes: wood boxes and soft boxes. Soft boxes are a good pick for people who are afraid of jumping or who have pre-existing knee issues. But wood boxes are sturdier, and thus the better pick for people who plan to jump (or step) quickly onto or off of the box. 

The beauty of this particular wood box is that it has a 30-inch side, 24-inch side, and 20-inch side, making it accessible to a variety of fitness levels and workouts. Oh, and it’s only $125 bucks, which is $50 to $150 dollars cheaper than the other boxes on the market. (You will need to buy some wood glue to assemble it though.)

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: For kipping movements, you need a pull-up bar that is 1) sturdy and 2) far enough from a wall that you won’t have to worry about kicking a hole into the plaster. The Titan Fitness Wall-Mount Pull-Up Bar checks off both requirements and costs a reasonable $75. 

Don’t hate the messenger, but the standard over-the-door pull-up bar won’t work for CrossFitters. Why? Because typically they are not stable enough to accommodate kipping movements, such as toes-to-bar, pull-ups, chest-to-bar, or bar muscle ups. That’s where wall-mounted pull-up bars come in. 

The best wall mount pull-up bar on a budget is the The Titan Fitness Wall-Mount Pull-Up Bar, which can be mounted to either a wall or a ceiling, so long as there are wooden studs in place—do not mount this pull-up bar (or, really, any others) into drywall. 

This pull-up bar is designed to hover 34 inches away from the mounting place. That means there’s enough space for swinging legs during kipping exercises, and the 500-pound weight capacity can support weighted pull-ups for most CrossFitters, too. 

Why CrossFit athletes will love these: If you’ve got a barbell, a set of weight plates are a must. Thankfully, Hi-Temp Bumper Plates offer you a cost-efficient option for loading up your bar.

Anyone who’s ever taken the CrossFit-L1 course or spent an entire session working on snatch form with an empty barbell knows bare-barbell work is no joke. Still, if you want to get stronger or be able to do weighted barbell movements in metcons, you’re going to need some bumper plates. 

Weight plates are expensive, there’s no getting around that—especially if you really want to bump up your CrossFit Total. But, there are some options, such as the Hi-Temp Bumper Plates from REP Fitness, which are reasonably priced. 

HI-Temp bumper plates are made of recycled rubber, so while just as heavy-duty as virgin rubber weight plates, they do have more bounce. This could be a concern for people who do their home workouts in small spaces since there’s more potential for the barbell to run around. But, for most people, the extra bounce is no problem (and even welcome on deadlifts).  

Why CrossFit athletes will love these: The York Barbell Rubber Hex Dumbbells are inexpensive compared to most on the market and function just as well.

Dumbbells made a splash in 2017 when Dave Castro programmed them into two Open workouts back-to-back. Since then, they’ve been considered a staple in the sport of functional fitness. 

A set of dumbbells allows you to incorporate a variety of movements into your routine, including devils press, dumbbell snatch, dumbbell clean and jerk, dumbbell box step-overs, front rack lunges, and more. They’re also great for beginners who are learning new movements.

Optimal for CrossFit are dumbbells with rubber-coated heads. Why? Because 1) rubber dumbbells are far more gentle on body contact points than metal ones during exercises like front-rack walking lunges, and 2) they’re kinder to floors when dropped—but you really shouldn’t drop any dumbbells if you can avoid it. 

The York Barbell Rubber Hex Dumbbells are an especially good pick for people on a budget. Available in 2.5- to 125-pound options, the price varies based on the weight you choose. But for a frame of reference, one 25-pound dumbbell costs just $36. (Compared to the 25-pound Rogue Fitness Rubber Hex Dumbbells, which cost $90 for a pair of 25s, you’d save more than $20 once shipping is factored in.) 

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: This jump rope is quick and durable, and it costs less than $20.

Any good CrossFit coach will tell you that before you buy your own barbell or even lifters, you should buy your own jump rope. A jump rope that fits your height, after all, is essential for mastering double-unders (and triple-unders, if you wanna go there). 

Unfortunately, most jump ropes are not cheap. Ropes from well-known brands like RX Smart Gear and RPM Training can put you out up to $150! But this WOD Nation Double Under Speed Rope costs just $17. Best, with its thin coated, steel cable, it’s just as fast. 

The only real downside is, like with many speed ropes, it won’t last as long if you use it in cement floors or asphalt, which will damage the cable’s coating. 

That said, one of our product testers has had a WOD Nation rope for years and has been using it for plenty of high-intensity workouts in CrossFit garage gyms, shiny affiliates, and outdoors with no issues thus far.

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: Just $65 dollars, this vest is more than $200 cheaper than competitive products, and it’s adjustable in weight. 

If you’ve ever done Murph at an affiliate, you’ve probably seen all the fittest members in matching 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vests. No doubt, that’s the most popular vest in the sport. But because you have to buy the weight plates separately, the package will put you out nearly $300. Yikes! 

Ringing up at less than $70, the Titan Fitness Adjustable 20 LB Weighted Vest is less than one-fifth of that price. 

This vest is designed with “pockets” all over, which are designed to hold 2.5-pound steel weight bars. To increase or decrease the weight of the vest, simply add or remove the weights. The ease with which you can add or remove weights means you can easily share it with someone who wants to use more or less weight than you. Plus, the security belt that goes around the vest is adjustable, which aids in its shareability. 

On the downside, some buyers have reported that the seams start to come apart if the vest is machine-washed. Although we all know vests can get stinky, consider hand-washing this one and letting it air dry. 

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: Wall balls are an essential piece of equipment for any CrossFit home gym, and these are reasonably priced and available in RX weights.

There’s no shortage of CrossFit workouts that require wall balls: Karen, 2022 Quarterfinal Workout #4, and 17.4, to name just a few. So, if you want to be able to practice the essential movement with your home gym setup, you’re going to need a wall ball or two. At the very least, a 14-pound ball for women and 20-pound ball for men. 

Wrapped in grippy, synthetic leather, you won’t have to worry about the REP Fitness Medicine Ball slipping out of your hands on even the hottest, sweatiest day. Ideal! These medicine balls also have an inner layer that prevents “egging” of the ball, plus reinforced double-stitching for versatility. 

Another fun perk of these medicine balls is the fact that every weight is a different color. So, you won’t ever accidentally choose the wrong weight. (Anyone else been there?) 

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: The PowerBoostConcept Rowing Machine is a great option for any CrossFit fiend who wants the Concept2 but doesn’t have a grand to spend. 

Whenever CrossFit athletes are shopping for a rower for their box or garage, they usually bop right to the Concept2 RowErg. Beyond being a classic in the sport, the Concept2 is durable, easy to assemble, and ergonomically designed, so it makes sense that people would want it. The issue? It costs about $1,000.

Lucky for CrossFitters on a budget, the PowerBoostConcept Rowing Machine offers many of the same features as the Concept2 but it costs a few hundred dollars less—and it’ll get your heart rate up just the same. 

The PowerBoostConcept Rowing Machine features anti-slip foot pedals, 10 damper levels, an LCD screen with all the metrics you’ll need, and a comfortable padded seat. It can also be broken down into two separate pieces for easy storage. 

The two main differences between this rower and the Concept2 is that this rower has a slightly longer, thicker handle. The monitor also offers slightly less information, though you’ll still be able to see meters, time, and calories. Just remember that with budget equipment, you’ll often end up replacing or enduring maintenance costs sooner than you would with the higher-end option.  

Why CrossFit athletes will love this: If you want to increase your power output or stamina, there are no pieces of equipment quite like an air bike. The Titan Fitness Fan Bike is the perfect option for athletes who want a bike but need to be cost-conscious. 

The Titan Fitness Fan Bike is very similar to the Assault Fitness AssaultBike and Rogue Echo Bike: It’s about the same size; the seat adjustment options are identical, and it has the same overall feel while you pedal. However, at just $699, it’s not quite as pricey as competitor products. 

Notably, this bike has built-in turf tires and a rear handle, which make lugging it across the gym easier than usual. That means you can easily move this bike around without getting tired prior to your workout—or struggling to move it afterward with weak post-air bike arms. 

The only downside of this bike is that it’s just as loud as other air bikes. That means unless your home has sound-proof walls, it’s probably best to save this tool for garage and barn home gyms. The seat is also slightly firmer compared to some competitor products. 

If you have extra dough to spend, here are some other items you might want in your CrossFit home gym.

If the 2022 Quarterfinals and Age Group Qualifiers are any indication, bench press isn’t going anywhere in this sport! But qualifying bench press events aren’t the only use for weight benches. This versatile piece of equipment can also be used for dumbbell chest press, seated overhead press, for a squat target, and more. 

If you’re the first to rock a ‘scaling is cool’ shirt or typically sign up for a scaled division of local comps, you’d be wise to invest in a slam ball. These dense sand sacks can be great alternatives for more-advanced plyometric movements such as barbell cleans, sandbag ground-to-over-the-shoulder, and more. 

Slam balls are available in a variety of weights, typically ranging from 6 pounds to 30 pounds. For most workouts, 20 pounds for women and 30 pounds for men is considered RX. 

You may not be able to afford pricier odd-objects like the FlipSled, Torque Tank, tires, or atlas stone. But even people on a budget can afford sandbags, thanks to the fact that you can DIY them. Heavy, awkward, and versatile, a sandbag is a wonderful tool for people looking to increase their brute strength. 

Never used one before? Trust, a weekly EMOM of sandbag carries, sandbag over-the-shoulders, and sandbag holds will beef your midline and upper body right up. 

If your gym floor is as hard as your midline is (wink), you’re going to want to invest in an ab mat or two. These squish-squares can be placed under your head while you practice strict, kipping, or deficit handstand push-ups. 

Pro-tip: To protect your noggin without shortening the range of motion, sandwich the abmat between two weight plates. Then, simply place your palms on the plates before kicking up. 

Of course, an ab mat can also be used for ab mat sit-ups. Positioning this mat under your hips helps increase the range of motion your abdominal muscles move through, thus making the exercise more efficient at strengthening your core while protecting your lower back. 

Usually sold for under $30 per mat, these are a great investment if you’re not going to drop $500+ on the ultimate midline strengthener: the glute-ham developer, or GHD. 

Typically made of soft but compressive neoprene, knee sleeves are designed to support the knee joint and its surrounding tissues. The style of knee sleeve you buy will depend on whether you want to wear it during metcons, heavy lifts, or both. 

Generally speaking, 3-millimeter thick sleeves are best for metcons, 7-millimeter sleeves are best for heavy lifts, and an intermediate thickness can be used for both. 

If your old box had a powerlifting team, these straps will look familiar. They are designed to wrap around both your hands and the bar, allowing you to deadlift weights your grip strength can’t handle. 

Truthfully, these don’t make an appearance in most CrossFit gyms, but if you’re thinking about dipping a toe into the world of powerlifting or starting a deadlift strength cycle, you may choose to add them to your gym bag. 

There are a variety of types of wrist wraps, but they’re basically designed to do for your wrist what knee wraps do for your knees: protect and support. Thicker wraps are best for max out press and overhead squat days, while thinner wraps can be worn during workouts with high-rep overhead movements like Randy, Grace, and Isabel. 

Planning to become a muscle-up beast? You’ll need gymnastics rings, which, thankfully, shouldn’t run you more than $50 or so. You can also use rings for accessory work, such as L-sits, and for scaling options like ring rows. 

Who’s to say Justin Bergh won’t add kettlebell moves to the Open next year! Buying a kettlebell won’t just help you prepare for the unknown, it can also help you finesse your hinge pattern (hello, kettlebell swings), work on your Olympic lift techniques (hey, kettlebell snatch), and add weight to your box step-ups.

Plus, as Wodapalooza and Games events have shown over the years, these tools can also be used for deadlifts, kettlebell overhead lunges, and more.

As CrossFit athletes, coaches, journalists, and overall fanatics, we’ve had the opportunity to test out more equipment than the average bear—and that includes equipment across the budget spectrum.

 So, to create this budget-friendly CrossFit equipment guide, we simply had to consult our notes on all equipment we’ve tested throughout the years. Then, cross-check the prices to make sure they’re affordable. 

Reading this guide is only the first step in outfitting your space with equipment. Next, you’ll need to figure out exactly what items you, personally, should invest in. These steps can help. 

As far as CrossFit equipment goes, you won’t find any on the market that is a better bang for your buck than what you see here. So, it makes sense you might be tempted to add all of it to your shopping cart! But, altogether, everything here costs thousands (and thousands) of dollars. 

Before you start ordering things to your house, get honest about what you can actually afford to spend on gym equipment. Then, chip away at that number with the tools that are essential to your goals. 

Do you want to get even better at gymnastics? Do you want to be able to snatch your body weight? Do you want to be able to do Murph in under 40 minutes? 

If you have a specific CrossFit goal, you should keep that in mind when making your first round of purchases. 

For instance, if you want to become a gymnastics king or queen, you should prioritize getting a pull-up bar or rings over getting a squat rack. However, if you want to clean up your Olympic lifts you’ll need a barbell and collection of weight plates. 

How tall does your ceiling need to be for the rack you’re eying? Do you have enough space for the mountable pull-up bar you want to invest in? Do you have room for a rower and an air bike? 

You should be able to answer these questions, and more, before you hand over your CC info. Otherwise, you risk buying equipment you can’t actually use. (And returning equipment is usually quite pricey, not to mention a big hassle). 

What equipment do you need for CrossFit? 

A stacked gym may be sexy, but unless you’re trying to go to the Games, it’s not necessary. You can do an endless amount of CrossFit metcons using just bodyweight, and even more using just a pull-up bar, jump rope, or other lower-cost piece of equipment. 

Of course, lifting is a big part of CrossFit, so you’d be wise to invest in a barbell, some plates, and a rack if you won’t otherwise have access to heavy weights. 

Which gym equipment is most effective? 

Ultimately, what qualifies as effective depends on your fitness goals. If your goal, however, is to become competitive in CrossFit you’re going to need equipment that allows you to improve your strength, endurance, gymnastic skills, and power. 

In a world where money isn’t a thing, that would include, at the very least, a barbell, weight plates, squat rack, pull-up bar, wall ball, air bike, and a rower. 

Once you have the essentials, you can slowly accumulate other equipment like dumbbells, rings, plyo boxes, weight vests, sandbags, and more. 

How do I set up a CrossFit gym at home? 

The first-ever CrossFit affiliates set up shop in people’s garage, unused barns, and driveways. Heck, in the good ‘ole days, it was common for people to do workouts from the CrossFit main site in school gymnasiums, unused basketball courts, and the corner of globo gyms. In other words: You don’t need much to set up a CrossFit gym, just a little space. 

If you have a physical space that you can put (and keep) equipment in, you can set up a CrossFit box right at home. If that appeals to you, start by buying the equipment you’ll use most often. Then, slowly expand your setup as you get stronger and hone your skills.

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