Updated July 25, 2026
Fitness Class Gear Guide: What to Bring and What to Wear
Buy personal gear in order — four basics for your first month, then add what the workouts ask for. Almost everything except shoes is in our pro shop.
Walking into Fitness Classes, the gear question hits fast: what do I actually need, and what can wait? Order matters more than owning everything. Four basics cover your first month. After that, add what the workouts — and a coach — tell you to buy next.
Buy in this order: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3. That is how we coach members on the floor.
Almost everything below is stocked in our pro shop, so you can ask, try, and buy without guessing online. Relative $ bands appear next to each item so you know what “worth buying” usually costs before you spend. New to lifting and class work? Jump Start builds class readiness with private coaching before you fill the bag.
Relative price guide
These are ballpark bands for quality gear worth owning. Some items span a range (a gym bag can be a simple duffel or a larger training pack). Others sit in one band when you buy something that actually lasts (grips worth buying are almost always $$$).
| Symbol | Ballpark |
|---|---|
| $ | Under $25 |
| $$ | $25–$50 |
| $$$ | $51–$100 |
| $$$$ | $101–$200 |
| $$$$$ | Over $200 |
I have been coaching for 15+ years, and gear choices genuinely vary from athlete to athlete. Good gear is one of the cheapest investments you will ever make in a long training career — the right shoes, chalk, and grips make every session feel better and keep you training consistently for years. We hand-pick what we stock in the pro shop, and Dawn and I are happy to make a specific recommendation for you — including shoes and other items you buy elsewhere.
Tier 1 — Buy these first
If you are new, start here. This is the kit that belongs in the bag every class.
Training shoes — $$$$–$$$$$
A flat, firm, stable sole with enough flex to jump and run short distances. This is the single most important purchase, because footwear changes the movement itself. A soft, tall running shoe compresses unevenly under a loaded squat or clean, and you feel it as wobble at exactly the moment you want to feel solid. Nike Metcon, Reebok Nano, and TYR CXT are all common choices. Shoes are worth trying on rather than ordering blind — buy them elsewhere; we still help you choose.
Block chalk — $
Chalk absorbs sweat so the barbell, the pull-up bar, and kettlebell handles stay where you put them. At Sand & Steel we use block chalk only — pure magnesium carbonate. Bring your own block and a small bag to keep it in. On chalk-heavy floor movements like toes-to-bar and push-ups, put a mat under your hands. Cheap, high-leverage, and we keep it stocked.
A jump rope sized to you — $$–$$$
Every member brings their own rope — sized to them — and the pro shop sells them. Double-unders are a timing skill, and timing is much easier to learn when the rope in your hands feels the same every single session. A rope cut to your height with a cable weight you like is the fastest gear upgrade most members ever make. Lighter cables move faster and punish sloppy timing; slightly heavier cables give you more feedback while you are learning.
Grips — $$$
Palm protection for pull-ups, toes-to-bar, muscle-ups, and long sets on the bar. Buy these early. Even strong, conditioned hands blister on high-volume bar work — that is just what skin does against a knurled bar — and grips let you keep your set going on your terms instead of stopping when your palms have had enough. The pairs worth buying live in the $$$ band; cheaper grips usually fail fast. No-hole, two-hole, and three-hole styles all have loyal fans — try a friend’s pair before you commit. We sell them in the pro shop.
Gym bag — $$–$$$$$
Pack the kit once and bring the same bag every class. Members who do that show up with the right gear ready to train. Bag price spans a wide range — a simple duffel works; a larger training pack is optional.
Water bottle — $–$$
Bring water you can reach between sets. A simple bottle is enough; insulated is optional.
Tier 2 — Add these in your first few months
Once Tier 1 is in the bag, these are the next purchases for most members. They show up on the days we actually program — squat and lunge volume, overhead and front rack, heel-lift work, run sessions, heavy bracing, rope climbs, and bar work. One exception: if you arrive with knee or wrist pain, move sleeves or wraps into Tier 1 and buy them now.
Knee sleeves — $$–$$$
Neoprene compression that adds warmth and makes your knee position easier to feel. Most valuable on squat and lunge days, in high-volume leg work, and on cold mornings. Thinner sleeves move better through running and box jumps; thicker sleeves feel more supportive under a heavy squat. Training with knee pain? Buy these on day one. We stock them.
Wrist wraps — $–$$
Support for your wrist in overhead and front-rack positions — strict press, push press, jerks, handstand push-ups, and heavy cleans. If your wrists have limited extension, you will feel the difference in the front rack on the first set. Training with wrist pain? Same rule — day one. One of the highest-return purchases in the shop for the money.
Versalifts — $$–$$$
Heel inserts that go inside your training shoes. You get much of the squat and Olympic-lifting benefit of a raised heel while keeping one pair of shoes for the whole class — ideal when a strength piece runs straight into conditioning. For most members this is the smart first heel upgrade, long before dedicated lifting shoes. We sell them; ask us to size the height to your ankle mobility.
Running shoes — $$$$–$$$$$
For sessions built around running volume — our run-and-machine intervals and HYROX Engine work. If you also run outside on your own, own a real running shoe rather than asking your trainers to do both jobs. We help you pick a pair that matches how you train here; running shoes are bought elsewhere.
Belts — $$–$$$$
A nylon belt (usually $$–$$$) is lighter and more flexible for mixed conditioning where you want bracing feedback and need to move fast between movements. A leather belt (usually $$$–$$$$) is stiff and supportive for heavy singles in the squat, deadlift, and clean. Either way, the belt gives your trunk something to brace against — you still do the bracing. Both styles are in the pro shop; we will tell you which one fits the days you actually train.
Shin guards or long socks — $–$$
On rope climb days your shin does the gripping, so cover it — shin guards or long socks. That is a house rule. Shin guards also help on deadlift and box jump days. We stock guards; long socks work if you already own them.
Thumb tape — $
Thin stretchy tape for your thumbs once you have learned the hook grip on snatches and cleans, and for individual fingers on high-volume bar days. A roll lasts a long time and keeps hook-grip work comfortable enough to practice. Keep a roll in the bag.
Hand care — $–$$
A pumice stone and lotion. Smooth calluses stay usable; thick, uneven ones catch on the bar. If you are buying grips, buy hand care in the same trip — they work as a pair. We sell both.
Tier 3 — Add these when loads and goals ask for them
Tier 3 is smaller on purpose. These are the upgrades after Versalifts, after you already own a belt, and after bar volume is a regular part of your week.
Lifting shoes — $$$$–$$$$$
A rigid sole with a raised heel. The heel lets you sit more upright in a squat and reach depth with less ankle range, which is why they shine on heavy squat days and Olympic lifting — back squat progressions, split jerk, clean and snatch work, heavy front squats and thrusters. Buy them once barbell loads are genuinely climbing and Versalifts are no longer enough. We help you choose; lifters are bought elsewhere.
Lifting straps — $–$$
These tie your wrists to the bar so grip stops being the limiter on heavy or high-volume pulls. Use them deliberately rather than automatically: grip strength is trainable, and it only trains when you ask it to work. Keep straps for pulls where grip is the limiter. On snatches and cleans, keep a free grip so you can release the bar.
Elbow sleeves — $$–$$$
Compression and warmth for pressing volume, ring dips, and handstand push-ups. Many members like the extra warmth around the joint on heavy pressing days, especially in cold weather.
One note on support gear
Mechanics, then consistency, then intensity. Sleeves, wraps, belts, and straps all do what they claim. They also work best when they help you train a good position rather than cover a position you have not built yet. Support gear rides along with that order. Any coach on the floor will tell you honestly whether an item will help you right now, or whether the answer is a few weeks of position work first.
What to bring, by class type
| The day looks like | Bring | Wear or have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Barbell strength progression (squat, bench, press, jerk) | Block chalk | Lifting shoes or Versalifts · Wrist wraps · Knee sleeves · Belt for top sets |
| Olympic lifting (clean, snatch, jerk complexes) | Block chalk · Thumb tape | Lifting shoes or Versalifts · Wrist wraps |
| Deadlift-heavy day | Block chalk | Shin guards or long socks · Belt · Straps for volume pulls |
| Gymnastics and pulling (pull-ups, toes-to-bar, rings) | Block chalk · Grips | Wrist wraps for ring and pressing work |
| Jump rope work | Jump rope (bring your own) | Training shoes |
| Rope climbs | Block chalk | Shin guards or long socks |
| Run and machine intervals | Water bottle | Running shoes |
| HYROX Power | Block chalk · Jump rope | Training shoes · Knee sleeves · Nylon belt |
| HYROX Engine | Water bottle | Running shoes |
| Mixed or team conditioning | Block chalk · Jump rope · Grips | Training shoes · Knee sleeves |
Unsure which kind of day it is? Ask in the app or at the desk — we will tell you what tomorrow needs. You can also preview this week’s programming.
What we stock, and what to ask us
The pro shop sells nearly every item on this list: jump ropes, block chalk and chalk bags, grips, tape, sleeves, wraps, belts, straps, shin guards, Versalifts, bags, and hand care. Training shoes, lifting shoes, and running shoes are the three exceptions — buy those elsewhere. We still help you choose the right pair.
More useful than the inventory, though, is the conversation: bring your question to Paul or Dawn and you will get a specific recommendation for your hands, your knees, and the movements you are actually working on — including which tier you are in and which $ band makes sense for that purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What gear do I need for my very first Fitness Class?
Comfortable clothes you can move in, flat stable training shoes, and — if the day includes jump rope — your own rope. Come to class, see what the workouts ask of you, and build the rest of your kit over the following weeks with a coach’s input. The pro shop has ropes and chalk if you need them on the way in.
Do I need my own jump rope?
Yes. Every member brings a rope sized to them, and we sell them in the pro shop. Learning double-unders is a timing problem, and a rope cut to your height with a consistent feel makes that timing far easier to groove.
Can I wear running shoes to class?
For a run-focused session, yes — that is what they are built for. For lifting, a flat, stable training shoe gives you a much better base. Running shoes are designed to compress and rebound; under a squat or clean you want a firm, stable platform.
What kind of chalk can I use at Sand & Steel?
Block chalk — pure magnesium carbonate. Bring your own block; the pro shop sells chalk and chalk bags.
How should I use knee sleeves and a belt?
Use them for the job they do. A belt gives your trunk something to brace against on heavy sets; sleeves add warmth and position awareness. Keep plenty of your volume without them, so your bracing and your knees keep getting stronger on their own.
How much should I spend to get started?
Tier 1 is training shoes ($$$$–$$$$$), then chalk ($), a rope ($$–$$$), grips ($$$), a bag, and a water bottle. Tier 2 is where most of the bag fills out — sleeves, wraps, Versalifts, running shoes, belts, shin coverage, tape, and hand care. Ask a coach before any Tier 3 purchase (lifting shoes, straps, elbow sleeves) — we would rather help you buy one right thing in the right band than three approximate ones.
Bring the bag, ask the question
Get Tier 1 in one bag — training shoes, block chalk, a rope sized to you, grips, bag, and water — then let the workouts and a quick conversation at the desk tell you what to add next.
If you are still deciding whether Fitness Classes are the right fit, come see a class first. Bring training shoes and a jump rope; we will help you with the rest.
Ready to train?
Book a free trial class at Sand & Steel in Alexandria, or start with four weeks of programming free if you want to preview how we train before you walk in.
