CrossFit Affiliate Equipment: What to Buy First, What to Skip, and How to Plan Your Space

Thinking about opening a CrossFit Affiliate? That probably means two things: First, you love the methodology and have seen it work in your own life. And second, you’re passionate about helping others. At Wodify, we love to see it. And that’s why we wanted to create this CrossFit affiliate equipment list, to help you get started!

The first thing to note is that there is no strict equipment requirements provided by CrossFit. In fact, one of the best things about CrossFit is its flexibility, for everything from your programming to your culture. You get to choose how your gym operates, feels, and grows.

But along with that flexibility comes a ton of decisions to make along the way. Which is why your equipment choices are so important. They not only translates into how your space feels, but how your classes run and how you’ll be able to scale.

Today, we’ll cover the must-have CrossFit affiliate equipment, the nice-to-have stuff, how it all plays into your space, and what to expect when it comes to your equipment budget.

CrossFit Affiliate Requirements: What You Need Before Equipment

Before we get to the actual equipment list, it’s important to know a few of the business-related requirements when opening a CrossFit gym. Even though CrossFit is an affiliate model and not a franchise, CrossFit HQ is strict about you adhering to the following list:

• CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1) Certification – This is required for the owner (or licensee of record) and is a minimum requirement to open an affiliate.
• Application Fee – A one-time, non-refundable fee of $1,000 will be charged when you apply to be a CrossFit affiliate.
• Annual Affiliation Fee – Each year, affiliates are required to pay the affiliation fee, ranging from $3,000-$4,500, depending on your gym’s location. This fee is split up over the year and paid monthly.
• Website – CrossFit requires you to maintain a website, and that a link to the CrossFit Journal is included somewhere on it. (Pro tip: Use Wodify Sites to help you build yours!)
• Proof of Insurance – As part of the application process, you’ll be required to show proof of insurance for your business. Specific coverage amounts will be specified by CrossFit HQ.
• Gym Name Approval – Your requested gym name must be reviewed and approved by CrossFit HQ before you can proceed as an affiliate.

Now that we’ve gotten those requirements out of the way, let’s talk about your CrossFit affiliate equipment!

Space Planning: Set Up Your Affiliate for Success

When exploring location options, keep in mind that the ideal size for a CrossFit affiliate is between 2,000 to 5,000 square feet. High ceilings that can accommodate 12 to 14-foot rope climbs are also ideal.

Your budget will determine how “premium” you can go, but traditionally, industrial space is preferred for CrossFit affiliates. Look for options with good ventilation, plenty of parking spaces, and (of course) bathrooms!

Some affiliate owners choose to set up their space in zones:

• Lifting zone: Rig, squat racks, barbells, platforms
• Conditioning zone: Rowers, bikes, ski ergs, open floor for WODs
• Mobility: Foam rollers, yoga mats, resistance bands, etc.

Others will go with a more use-focused approach. This simply means making the most used equipment the most accessible from the gym floor. For example, barbells are used quite frequently in class, while plyo boxes might be used once per week on average. Therefore, barbells and bumper plates would be stored closer, for athletes to access consistently.

Pro tip: Measure everything and plan your equipment layout before purchasing a space or signing a lease. The last thing you want is to move in and find out you can’t operate classes properly.

The Must-Have CrossFit Affiliate Equipment List

Let’s take a look at the primary list of CrossFit affiliate equipment that you’ll need starting on day one.

1. Pull-Up Rigs and Squat Racks

Your pull-up rigs and squat racks will be the centerpiece of your gym. Here’s what to know:

• Options include wall-mounted, freestanding, and freestanding bridge rigs
• Plan for multiple stations, with 2-3 athletes sharing a station for peak classes
• You don’t need to max out your rig size early, but make sure to plan ahead for adding on with the future growth of your gym
• Some companies like Rogue have space planning tools, where you can experiment with different floor layouts before purchasing your rig

2. Barbells and Bumper Plates

Because barbells and bumper plates are utilized often in your classes, this is not the CrossFit affiliate equipment to cut corners with. Here are some other things to know:

• Plan for your largest class, and make sure to have one barbell per athlete in it
• Look for barbells that have a lifetime warranty, quality rotation, and knurling
• Purchase both 45# bars for men and 35# bars for women
• Stock a variety of bumper plates, again planning for your largest class sizes
• Look for hi-temp rubber, accurate weight calibration, and durability
• Buying in bulk or searching for slightly-used sets can help with budgeting

3. Flooring (One of the Most-Overlooked CrossFit Affiliate Equipment Needs)

Flooring is not only one of the most-overlooked CrossFit affiliate equipment needs, it’s also one of the most costly items on your list. But you’ll find that you get what you pay for, and it’s there to protect both your members and your subfloor. Here’s what you need to know:

• Most CrossFit affiliates choose 3/4-inch thick rubber tiles, rolled rubber, or horse stall mats
• If budget is a concern, rubber flooring is often less expensive if you purchase locally or from a wholesale supplier
• In the planning stage, you may want to consider mixing in other flooring options, such as lifting platforms (wood) or turf for movements like sled pushes

4. Kettlebells and Dumbbells

Even though kettlebells and dumbbells can be costly “per pound,” you’ll find that the cost-per-use makes them valuable. Both are used quite often in CrossFit WODs for movements like swings, goblet squats, Turkish get-ups, etc. Here’s what you need to know:

• Stock a range of both, from 5# to 100# dumbbells, and 18# to 106# kettlebells
• The RX weight for most CrossFit WODs is 50#/35# for dumbbells, and 53#/35# for kettlebells, so make sure to have plenty of each, with scaling options as well
• The most popular option is cast-iron or competition style
• Don’t forget the storage options for these (see the storage section below)

5. Wall Balls and Slam Balls

Wall balls are a classic CrossFit movement, and slam balls add variety to programming. Both are great for individual and partner workouts. Here’s what you should know:

• Stock multiple weights for each
• For wall balls, 10#, 14#, and 20# are the most common
• For slam balls, 20#, 25#, and 50# are the most common
• Look for durable rubber construction for both, and be sure to check the seam qualify on your wall balls

6. Jump Ropes

Jumping rope—single-unders, double-unders, and crossovers—is another CrossFit staple movement. You’ll likely find that most members want to purchase their own rope, but here’s what you should know for stocking extras in your affiliate:

• Ropes correlate to height, so you need various sizes or adjustable options
• Bulk options are available from companies like RX Gear or Double Under Wonder
• Ropes come in various weights but you should only need to stock basic ropes for class programming

​7. CrossFit Affiliate Equipment for Endurance

Even though you might hear a collective groan from your classes when you mention cardio, endurance machines are still on the list of essential CrossFit affiliate equipment.

Depending on the size of your initial community when you open your doors, most affiliate owners can start with approximately 4-6 rowers and 3-4 bikes. Then scale as membership grows. Here is the most common list of endurance equipment:

• Concept2 Rowing Machines
• Assault Bikes or Rogue Echo Bikes (most gyms have one or the other, not both)
• Concept2 Ski Ergs

8. Storage and Organization

While storage might not seem like equipment, it can actually make or break your floor plan. If you’ve ever been in an affiliate that stores all of its equipment on the ground, you’ve seen how much floor space it can take up. Storage matters not only for members’ safety, but for how your classes flow, and even how professional your gym looks. Here are a few storage items to consider:

• Wall-mounted storage for barbells
• Plate trees or mobile stackers for bumper plates
• Racks or shelving for kettlebells, dumbbells, wall balls
• Wall-mounted hooks or rack for jump ropes
• Cubbies or shelving for members’ personal items

The Nice-to-Have CrossFit Affiliate Equipment List

Now let’s take a quick look at some smart upgrades to make over time with your CrossFit affiliate equipment. You don’t necessarily need these items immediately when you open your door, so add them to your purchase list as your community grows and you increase gym revenue:

• Gymnastics rings (note: one or two pairs is great to start so you can offer scaling options like ring rows in place of pull-ups for newer athletes)
• Plyo boxes (wood or foam)
• GHD (glute-ham developer) machines
• Sandbags
• Climbing ropes
• Pegboards
• Resistance bands and mobility tools

Just remember, many successful CrossFit affiliates start with only the basics. Scaling your equipment purchases in correlation to your community and revenue is the long-term gym growth play.

CrossFit Equipment Budget: Spend Smart, Start Strong

As you look at space and equipment options, we recommend a phased buying approach for your CrossFit affiliate equipment. In other words, launch with the essentials, then reinvest your revenue over time to upgrade as your gym grows.

Overall, you can expect to spend between $20,000 to $50,000 for a solid opening setup. Seasoned affiliate owners will confirm that the equipment to “splurge” on are rigs, barbells, bumper plates, and flooring. You’ll quickly find out that replacements for “skimping” in this area are not worth the hassle.

On the other hand, you can look for ways to save on accessories, and smaller equipment like dumbbells and kettlebells. You can also look for deals on gently-used conditioning machines like Concept 2 rowers or bikes.

Speaking of saving, be sure to check out the package deals on Rogue Fitness, an official CrossFit partner. Plus, when you sign up as an affiliate, you’ll get access to the Affiliate Partner Network, which provides discounts on both CrossFit affiliate equipment and supplies.

Ready to Buy Your CrossFit Affiliate Equipment and Build Your Box?

Opening a CrossFit affiliate is no small task, so take it one step at a time. Remember, when it comes to CrossFit affiliate equipment, you don’t need everything on day one. You can start with the must-have equipment, then add more as your community grows.

Learn from the pros and steal the equipment playbook from affiliates who’ve been in the game for years. Keep in mind that the best CrossFit gyms in the world weren’t built overnight. They were built rep by rep, member by member. And the lean list of equipment you start with will grow in tandem with the awesome community of members for years to come.

One more thing: You can’t be the best CrossFit affiliate in town without having the best gym management software for CrossFit affiliates. We’re here to help! Book a demo with the Wodify team today so we can help you get started, save time, manage operations and set yourself up for long-term growth.