Useful Equipment
Tape Measure
You’ll need a tape measure to take your weekly measurements for check-in.
Bodyweight scale
We recommend this lightweight, reliable scale – very compact and great for travel as well as every day use.
Food Scale
You’ll be tracking your intake, so you’ll need some kitchen scales to weigh out a lot of your food.
Smartphone Tripod
If you don’t have somebody to take your weekly check-in photos for you, it’s worth investing in a tripod so that you’re able to take consistent progress photos. This will also be useful should you need to film any of your training for feedback from us.
Foam Roller
We find it’s often handy to have your own at home in case you don’t have time to stay at the gym to foam roll.
You can choose either basic for occasional use or higher-end for something more comfortable.
Trigger Point Massage Balls
For tight spots and knots that are hard to reach with a foam roller.
Resistance Bands
Essential for warming up and assisted chin-ups / dips, and sometimes worth having your own set.
Hip Circle
If you struggle to engage your glutes, including some activation drills incorporating a resistance band / hip circle is advisable.
The low resistance rubber variety are best for activation.
A fabric or one of the thicker rubber hip circles are much more durable and a great addition to hip thrust / glute bridge variations to increase glute engagement.
Lifting Straps
These are an option if you find yourself limited by your grip rather than your strength in deadlift variations and rowing / pulling movements.
Basic fabric straps come very cheap.
Versa Gripps are the best we’ve tried if you’re willing to invest.
We can’t personally vouch for these Versa Gripp dupes but they’re a cheaper option.
Liquid Chalk
Some people find straps intrusive and / or distracting. Liquid Chalk aids grip without the extra fuss of straps, but is really only suitable for deadlifts rather than rowing / pulling movements, and you’ll have to be wary of use in commercial gyms; they don’t love the mess.
Travel-size is a bit more discrete, and easy to carry around.
Lifting Belt
Used properly, a belt will support your spine by making it more stable under heavy loads. This is because of the intra-abdominal pressure your abdominal muscles generate while pressing against the belt when you brace for a lift. This in turn enables you to squat / deadlift with more weight, because your spine is more stable.
Start off with a velcro-belt and learn how to effectively brace into that before investing in a leather belt.
10mm is ample support for the vast majority, you can opt for a quick-release lever or a prong fastened belt.
A TRX is a worthwhile investment if you travel frequently or are often without a gym. It’s surprisingly challenging and a more effective alternative than a bodyweight/resistance band circuit.
