Recommended Gear
FROM THE OWNERS · UGF BLACK HAWK & RAPID VALLEY
RECOMMENDED
GEAR.
These are the pieces we point members to when they ask what to buy. We picked them from a gym-owner’s point of view: they hold up, they are straightforward to use, and the heart rate monitors are Polar sensors that work with Goals Coach.
Heart rate monitors
Goals Coach supports optional Polar activity, which is why we stay in the Polar family for the gym. An optical armband is the comfortable everyday pick. A chest strap is still the most consistent option when you want a tight reading on hard intervals. Choose your size on Amazon.
Polar Verity Sense
This is the current Polar optical armband, and the one we recommend if you are buying new for the gym. It sits on your arm, keeps your wrist free for lifting, and broadcasts heart rate over Bluetooth so it can show up with Goals Coach.
View on AmazonPolar OH1+
The earlier Polar optical armband. If you already own an OH1 or OH1+, keep using it. If you are shopping now, Verity Sense is the current model and the better first purchase.
View on AmazonPolar H10 chest strap
When you want the most consistent Polar chest-strap reading for intervals, metcons, or hard sets, this is the one we recommend. Wet the electrodes, cinch it snug, and pick your strap size on Amazon.
View on AmazonPolar H9 chest strap
A more affordable Polar chest strap if you do not need every H10 feature. Still Polar, still a proper chest strap, and still a solid match for members who want accuracy without spending up. Choose your size.
View on AmazonLifting gear
You do not need a cart full of accessories to train here. These are the pieces that actually get used: wrist support for pressing, straps or grips when your hands give out before your back does, a belt for heavier squats and pulls, and chalk that will not dust the whole gym.
Gymreapers wrist wraps
Wrap these for heavier bench and overhead work. They take a little practice to get tight, then they stay out of the way. A simple upgrade if your wrists complain on pressing days.
View on AmazonGymreapers lifting straps
For deadlifts, rows, and other pulling work where grip is the limiter. Learn the wrap once, then use them when you want your back and hips to do the work, not your hands.
View on AmazonHarbinger 5-inch belt
A comfortable everyday lifting belt for members who want support on heavier squats and pulls without jumping straight to a stiff lever belt. This link opens the Large (33–37 in). Measure your waist and pick the right size on Amazon.
View on AmazonVersa Gripps PRO
If you hate fighting with traditional straps between sets, these are the grips a lot of serious lifters stay with. Made in the USA. Choose your size on Amazon so the palm piece actually fits your hand.
View on AmazonSpider Chalk 8 oz
Liquid chalk gives you grip without leaving a cloud of powder on the floor and equipment. A small bottle lasts a long time. Use a little, let it dry, then lift.
View on AmazonShoes
A stable shoe matters more than a flashy one. Training shoes work for mixed gym days. A lifting shoe helps squat and pull. A flat high-top is the budget option a lot of lifters still use. Amazon listings often open on one size — pick yours, and look for women’s models when you need them.
Nike Metcon 9
A solid all-around training shoe for lifting, conditioning, and classes. Stable under a barbell, with enough comfort to go from the rack to a row or a run without changing shoes.
View on AmazonReebok Nano X5
The other workhorse training shoe we see on the floor. Close to the Metcon in job description: wide, stable, and built for mixed workouts rather than long runs.
View on AmazonAdidas Powerlift 5
A dedicated lifting shoe with a raised heel. If squats and Olympic-style work are the main event, this is more helpful than a running shoe. Unisex sizing — check the size chart.
View on AmazonConverse Chuck Taylor All Star
A cheap, flat, stable shoe plenty of lifters still wear for squats and deadlifts. Not a training shoe for running or jumping, but if you want a simple platform without spending lifting-shoe money, start here.
View on AmazonRecovery
The basics still win: roll what is tight, stretch what is short, and use a percussion gun if it helps you actually do the work. None of this replaces sleep, food, or easing back when something hurts.
TriggerPoint GRID foam roller
The standard roller we recommend. Firm enough to be useful on quads, glutes, and upper back, and it will not collapse after a few months the way a cheap foam log will.
View on AmazonTriggerPoint GRID Ball
A 5-inch ball gets into spots a long roller misses — glutes, mid-back, and the bottoms of your feet. Keep one at home and spend two minutes on whatever felt cranky after training.
View on AmazonTheragun Mini (3rd gen)
A compact percussion massager you can toss in a bag. Useful on calves, quads, and upper back when you want something quicker than a roller. Not magic — just a convenient tool.
View on AmazonOPTP Stretch Out Strap
The original looped stretch strap, made in the USA, with a poster so you are not guessing at the holds. Especially handy for hamstrings, hip flexors, and shoulders.
View on AmazonHome gym
If you want a simple setup between gym days, start with adjustable dumbbells or a kettlebell, a band, a mat, and a jump rope. That covers a lot of training without filling a garage.
Bowflex SelectTech 552
A pair of adjustable dumbbells that replace a whole rack for most home workouts. Dial the weight, do your sets, and you are not tripping over 10 pairs of dumbbells.
View on AmazonYes4All vinyl kettlebell
A simple coated kettlebell for swings, goblet squats, and carries. This listing lets you choose the weight — pick what you can control for swings, not the heaviest number on the page.
View on AmazonSerious Steel 32-inch band
A durable pull-up and assistance band from a brand that has been doing this a long time. This link opens a mid-tension 32-inch band for people under about 5'10". Choose the tension that matches the work you want.
View on AmazonGaiam 6 mm yoga mat
A no-nonsense mat for floor work, core, and stretching. Six millimeters is enough cushion for most people without feeling like a mattress when you stand on it.
View on AmazonCrossrope Get Lean set
A quality weighted jump-rope set if you want cardio at home that does not need much space. Pick the handle size that fits your hand, then start with short, easy sets.
View on AmazonSupplements OPTIONAL
You do not need supplements to train at UGF. If you already eat well and still want a couple of basics, these are the ones we are comfortable pointing people toward. This is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before you start anything new, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a condition.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey
A widely available whey protein if you want a convenient way to hit your protein target. Pick a flavor you will actually drink. If dairy bothers you, look at an isolate or a non-dairy option instead.
View on AmazonNutricost Creapure creatine
Creatine monohydrate is the straightforward, well-studied form. This one uses Creapure. Mix it in water or a shake. Ask your doctor if creatine is appropriate for you before you use it.
View on AmazonLiquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
A convenient electrolyte packet for long, sweaty sessions when water alone is not doing it. Read the ingredients if you watch sugar or have dietary needs, and use it as a drink mix — not as a cure-all.
View on AmazonSupplement statements have not been evaluated as medical advice. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We earn a commission if you buy through the Amazon links on this page.
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