Short answer
For your first class: flat training shoes, comfortable clothes, a water bottle and a towel. The gym supplies the rest. After a few weeks, a speed jump rope, knee sleeves and wrist wraps are the most useful first buys.
Bring to your first class
- Training shoes Flat, firm sole for lifting and stable for jumping. Thick running foam makes squats wobble.Find on Amazon
- Water bottle Most gyms have a fountain; a bottle saves trips.Find on Amazon
- Clothes you can squat in Shorts or tights and a shirt that will not ride up when you go overhead.
- Small towel For the bench, the bike and you.
Worth buying after a month
- Speed jump rope Sized to you; makes double-unders easier to learn.Find on Amazon
- Knee sleeves Warmth and support for heavy squat days.Find on Amazon
- Wrist wraps Support for front rack, presses and handstands.Find on Amazon
- Gymnastics grips Protect hands on high rep pull-ups and toes-to-bar.Find on Amazon
- Athletic tape For hook grip thumbs and torn hands.Find on Amazon
- Gym bag with a shoe pocket Keeps shoes and chalk away from clothes.Find on Amazon
Later, if you train at home or compete
- Weightlifting belt Only for heavy lifts near your max; learn to brace without it first.Find on Amazon
- Foam roller and lacrosse ball For mobility on rest days.Find on Amazon
- Kettlebell The most useful single piece of home equipment.Find on Amazon
- Weight vest For Rx Murph (20 lb for men, 15 lb for women).Find on Amazon
What to skip
- Lifting shoes until you lift often and a coach suggests them.
- Your own chalk: most gyms supply it, and some restrict it.
- Supplements sold at the front desk until you have trained a month and know what you need.
Questions people ask
What shoes should I wear to CrossFit?
Cross training shoes with a flat, firm sole. They keep you stable for lifts and still handle short runs, jumps and rope work.
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Gyms change schedules, prices and owners; confirm with the gym before you go.