Curated · By category
The kit we actually recommend for training and race day — what it's for, and whether you really need it.
You race in one pair — pick the right one.
You run, push the sled, and do wall balls in the same shoe. Aim for a moderate-stack training shoe with a grippy outsole — too much cushion slows the sled push.
Try: Nike Metcon 9 or Reebok Nano X4
What you wear on the floor matters more than you'd think.
The loaded sled clips your shins mid-push. Most first-timers don't know until they're bleeding at station 2. Cheap, small, worth packing.
Try: Any compression sleeve covering the shin (soccer shin guards work too)
Sandbag lunges over 100m are where lower backs give out. A 4-inch belt worn loosely for the carry and lunge stations protects you, and it's useful in training.
Try: Rogue or Harbinger 4-inch nylon belt
Simulate the eight stations at home or in the gym.
The most versatile home-prep tool. Swings mimic the SkiErg pull, carries train grip and posture, and thrusters simulate wall balls. 16kg and 24kg cover most race loads.
Try: Rogue, Rep Fitness, or Titan Fitness
Sandbag lunges are awkward, not just heavy — and the awkwardness is what wrecks people. Training with an actual sandbag is the only real substitute.
Try: Rogue Sandbag, Rep Fitness Sandbag, or a heavy-duty filler bag
Wall balls are 75–100 reps to a 9–10ft target — more shoulder endurance than people expect. Train with your race weight: women 4kg (train 6kg), men 6kg (train 8–10kg).
1,000m of rowing mid-race with heavy legs isn't intuitive. Cheapest path: confirm your gym has one and use it there. Buy only if you train at home and your gym lacks one.
Try: Concept2 RowErg (buy used if possible)
Small things that keep you training consistently.
Hyrox prep dumps volume into legs, hips, and upper back. 10 minutes of rolling post-workout cuts next-day soreness and keeps you training. Non-negotiable at 4+ days/week.
Cheap SkiErg simulation: anchor a heavy band high and pull down, mimicking the stroke. Also great for warm-ups and mobility.
Try: Any thick fabric or rubber band set
Your hands are sweaty by the farmers carry, and grip becomes the limiter on wall balls. A small block fits in your pocket. Usually allowed — check your race's rules.
Try: Any gym chalk block
Targeted trigger-point release for glutes, calves, and lats — the spots sleds and carries beat up most, where a foam roller is too big.
The runs between stations demand cardio and running economy. If you can't get outside, a speed rope is a high-quality aerobic tool and a solid warm-up.
Fuel and hydration for 60–90 minutes of work.
A 60–90 minute race benefits from 1–2 gels — one near the start or before station 4, one if it runs long. Test your gel in training, never on race day.
Try: Maurten 100, GU Energy, or Science in Sport
You sweat heavily indoors, and cramping is a real race-ender. A tab or packet in your bottle at the start helps a lot.
Try: Precision Hydration, Nuun, or LMNT