Warrior Fitness Recommended Equipment

A question I often receive through email (which, by the way is great, please keep them coming!) is whether or not Warrior Fitness is strictly a bodyweight training system.  In short, no it’s not, but let me expand on that.  Bodyweight training is an outstanding way to exercise.  It requires absolutely no equipment, no gym membership, a small amount of space, and can be done virtually anywhere.  It works equally well for the business traveler, the stay at home parent, or the vacationer.  In my opinion bodyweight training should be the foundation of your fitness program, especially if you are just starting out.  My rationale behind this is a simple one: if you cannot master your own bodyweight first, you really have no business adding weight.  Now, obviously there are exceptions to this rule.  For example, if you are being treated by a Physical Therapist and they recommend a weighted exercise to help your condition, then you must follow their advice.  Additionally, I said it should be the foundation of your program, but that doesn’t mean equipment cannot be added for variety, to increase the combined exercises effectiveness, or to shore up a particular strength or mobility deficit. 

With that out of the way, here is a short list of the equipment I do use for myself and with my clients and highly recommend.

The Equipment List

1.  Sandbags – Cheap and easy to make yourself.  Great for taking strength and conditioning outside the box.  Want to make one?  Get an army duffle bag, two 50 lb bags of sand from your local Home Dept, a box of gallon freezer bags, and some duct tape.  Fill the freezer bags with sand.  Double bag them, then duct tape them to make sure they are secure.  Place the duct-taped, sand filled freezer bags inside the duffel bag (make heavier or lighter depending on your preference), zip up the bag, secure it, and you’re good to go!

2.  Kettlebells – I got my first kettlebell from Dragondoor back in 2002 when they were the only supplier outside of Russia.  Nowadays kettlebells have gone mainstream and can be found at your local Walmart (along with pretty much anything and everything else!).

3.  Dumbbells – The cheaper kettlebell alternative, just not as cool looking.

4. Clubbells – These are excellent for targeting angular and rotational strength, as well as sport or activity-specific performance enhancement.  They are currently only available through RMAX.

5.  Resistance Bands – Can be obtained from Elite Fitness Systems here. 

6.  Pull-up Bar – I made my own in the basement from a couple pieces of wood, some rope, and a metal bar, but there are also portable pull-up bars you can buy for under $40.  Here’s an example: EZ Chin Up Bar – Portable, Powerful, Personal and Effective Exercise Machine.  The other option is to train outside and use a sturdy tree branch.  This is an excellent alternative when the weather turns warmer!

7. Medicine Balls – Can be found at Sports Authority,  or most other sporting good stores, for about $30.

8.  Sledge Hammer and Tire–  Hitting a tire with a sledge hammer is not only an incredible conditioning exercise, it’s also really fun and great stress relief!  Make sure you do this outside though!  Pick up a sledge hammer from your local Home Depot or Lowes.  I got mine for about $25.  Tires are usually free.  Stop by any Tire and Auto shop and ask them for a used tire.  Since they are disposing of them anyway, they are more than happy to allow you to take one.   

As you can see, each piece of equipment is portable, able to cover a wide array of exercises and levels of ability, and, with the exception of clubbells and kettlebells, are all inexpensive to make or buy.  Which one is best?  All of them and none of them, depending on the specific goals you set for your health and fitness.  They are all tools in the Warrior’s arsenal to be used as needed.  Stay tuned for more information as to how the Warrior Fitness Training System utilizes all of the above fitness equipment!

Jon

Jon Haas, "The Warrior Coach" has been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for more than 25 years and is currently ranked as a Kudan (9th degree black belt) under Jack Hoban Shihan. He has also trained in Okinawan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Russian Systema, BJJ, Krav Maga, as well as Internal Martial Arts of Yiquan and Aiki.He is a certified Underground Strength Coach-Level 2, a certified Personal Trainer as well as founder of Warrior Fitness Training Systems. In 2008, Jon wrote the book, Warrior Fitness: Conditioning for Martial Arts, and since then has created numerous other online training and coaching programs helping people around the world become the strongest, most capable versions of themselves!

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