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Equipment Reviews

Honest, no-nonsense reviews to help you find the right gear for your training.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on these pages are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Lifting Home Gym Running CrossFit Rucking Recovery Boxing
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Cycling Swimming Yoga Climbing Rugby Football

53 reviews

★★★★★ £100-£400

Adjustable Dumbbells Buyer's Guide: Replace an Entire Rack With One Pair

Find the best adjustable dumbbells for your home gym. We compare Bowflex, PowerBlock, and budget UK options from £100 to £400.

Best for: Home gym strength training — the single most versatile piece of equipment
Essential
★★★★★ £80-£400

Barbell Buyer's Guide: The Most Important Bar in Your Home Gym

Find the best barbell for squats, deadlifts, and bench press. Olympic bars compared from budget to premium — £80 to £400.

Best for: Squats, deadlifts, bench, rows — every major lift
Essential
★★★★☆ £8-£20

Barbell Pad Guide: Make Hip Thrusts Comfortable Without Sacrificing Performance

Best barbell pads for hip thrusts and lunges. Compare foam density, grip, and fit to find the right pad for your training.

Best for: Hip thrusts and barbell lunges
★★★★★ £60-£180

Best Boots for Rucking and Loaded Hiking

The best rucking boots for loaded carries and hiking. From Salomon to Altberg, find boots that support heavy weight on any terrain.

Best for: Support and durability on loaded walks
Essential
★★★★★ £25-£120

Best Boxing Gloves for Training and Sparring

Find the best boxing gloves for bag work, pad work, and sparring. From budget-friendly to premium leather, all weights and styles covered.

Best for: Bag work, pad work, and sparring
Essential
★★★★★ £5-£15

Best Climbing Chalk for Better Grip

The best climbing chalk for bouldering and rope climbing. Block, loose, and liquid chalk compared with top picks and buying advice.

Best for: Keeping hands dry for better grip
Essential
★★★★★ £50-£160

Best Climbing Shoes for Indoor and Outdoor

The best climbing shoes for beginners and advanced climbers. Fit, rubber, and shoe shape explained with top picks for every level.

Best for: Indoor and outdoor climbing
Essential
★★★★☆ £10-£30

Best Compression Socks for Recovery

Do compression socks actually work? The evidence, best uses, and top picks for recovery after running, lifting, and travel.

Best for: Recovery after long runs and reducing leg fatigue
★★★★★ £15-£35

Best CrossFit Grips for Bar Work

Protect your hands during pull-ups, toes-to-bar, and muscle-ups with the best CrossFit grips. Carbon fibre and leather options reviewed.

Best for: Bar work, pull-ups, toes-to-bar, and muscle-ups
Essential
★★★★★ £80-£150

Best CrossFit Shoes for Training

The best CrossFit shoes for lifting, running, and WODs. Flat soles, rope climb protection, and versatile performance reviewed.

Best for: Versatile training — lifting, running, and jumping
Essential
★★★★★ £30-£200

Best Cycling Helmets for Road and Commuting

The best cycling helmets for road, commuting, and MTB. MIPS technology, ventilation, and safety ratings explained with top picks.

Best for: Protecting your head — non-negotiable
Essential
★★★★★ £20-£100

Best Cycling Shorts and Bib Shorts

The best cycling shorts and bib shorts for comfort on the bike. Chamois padding, compression, and top picks for every budget.

Best for: Comfort on rides over 30 minutes
Essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What gym equipment do I actually need?
For a commercial gym, just bring a water bottle and a towel. Optional but useful: lifting straps, chalk, resistance bands (for warm-ups), and a gym bag. A belt and lifting shoes are worth investing in once you're squatting and deadlifting heavier weights.
What equipment do I need for a home gym?
Start with adjustable dumbbells and a pull-up bar — these two items unlock hundreds of exercises. Add a weight bench next, then a barbell and plates. A power rack is the ultimate upgrade for safe heavy lifting at home. Budget around £500-£1000 for a solid starter setup.
Are the reviews independent?
Yes. Some links on our review pages are affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn't influence our ratings or recommendations — we recommend what we'd genuinely use ourselves.

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