If you lift at home, in your garage, or at your BJJ academy and are looking to build out the gym with equipment that will help your BJJ, this is for you!

This is written with the intention that space is limited, so these are your best “bang-for-your-buck” pieces, without spending too much money on overly specialized equipment that takes up precious space.

Let’s go!

1. Squat/Power Rack + Barbell + Bumper Plates

Yes, we’re grouping this together because why would you have one without the other? It’s like having a jiu-jitsu belt but no actual gi to wear it with… Get one that has chin up handles (preferably with a variety of grips: neutral, supinated, pronated), and pins on the side for maximum versatility with minimal foot print. If you don’t get one with chin up handles, you NEED to get a chin up bar or rings to effectively train your pulling strength. Opt for bumper plates as they offer more versatility when it comes to things like deadlifts, Olympic lifts or any lift from the floor (since bumper plates are all the same diameter, no matter the weight, they allow for a consistent starting position from the floor – watch this video about deadlifts, and why bumper plates are important).

Barbells allow you to lift heavy loads efficiently and effectively. Especially if you’re doing heavy sets of 1-4 reps, barbells are your friend. If you’re a BJJ person looking to get strong asf, barbells should be part of your lifting regime to some degree. If you rely solely on dumbbells, cables, kettlebells, etc, your strength gains will be limited.

Atlantis squat rack with chin up handles and adjustable pins

2. Adjustable Bench

This goes without saying, but buy an adjustable bench, not a fixed flat bench. It’s much more versatile. And buy one that is stable. Some of the cheap ones are flimsy and tip over when you sneeze too close, so beware. Opt for one that has a variety of angles.

3. Dumbbells

To go with your bench. But seriously, bench or no bench, dumbbells are another extremely versatile, non-negotiable strength training tool for the BJJ person. Depending on your budget and space, some people opt for adjustable dumbbells, but given their design and shape, they are clunky and annoying to use for certain exercises. Another option is to buy a few sets of regular, standard dumbbells suitable to your strength level, and build your collection over time.

4. Adjustable Cable Machine

“BuT cAnT i JuSt UsE a DuMbElL oR bArBeLl?”

NO! No you can’t. There are specific exercises that require cables (think, lat pull downs, facepulls, cable rows). If you buy a machine that’s height adjustable, you can squeeze out even MORE exercises. Not to mention, the strength curve for cable loaded vs dumbbell loaded exercises are different, meaning your body has to adapt to different sticking points throughout the movement leading to better, more well rounded, strength gains long term. PS: have some fun buying various attachments for your cable (ropes, specialty bars, v-grips, balls, grenade grip bal, etc)

Waston adjustable (single) cable machine

5. Adjustable Step

The single most overlooked, yet versatile, piece of equipment! BUY A FREAKING STEP! It’s a great piece of equipment to train unilateral leg exercises, like split squats and step ups, along with various other things.

6. BONUS! 90 Degree Back Extension/GHR Machine

If looking for more ways to train your posterior chain for athletic performance, go with the 90 degree back extension (or glute ham raise) for maximum versatility with minimal foot print. You can do back extensions, reverse hypers, nordic curls, razor curls, GHR sit ups, the list goes on! More versatile than her 45 degree sister. Also, keep in mind, machines that are “multi purpose” may seem great in theory, but I have yet to meet a STURDY, WELL-MADE, ROBUST “all-in-one” machine (such as the back extension) that doesn’t tip over or feel cheap. If you’re looking for quality and something you can trust, and will last a LIFETIME, invest in quality equipment.

7. BONUS! Leg Curl

If you want to get REAL fancy, buy a leg curl machine of some sort. We’d opt for the lying leg curl, but if a seated, kneeling or standing popped up for a great price, grab it. Y’all need to get your hamstrings stronger for better BJJ knees, and the leg curl is one of THE BEST MACHINES to systematically and progressively load your hamstrings (in isolation) to get them stronger. You might be thinking, but “I can only do ONE exercise on this machine, why would I get it if I’m tight on space?” Yes, one exercise but there are 12+ different ways to do said exercise based on foot position alone, and if you do single, or double leg variations. Variability and changing exercise positions is important for continued adaptation. Especially in the context of BJJ

Reliable brands we like and trust:

Atlantis https://atlantisstrength.com/
Eleiko https://eleiko.com/en-ca
Rogue https://www.roguefitness.com
Watson https://watsongym.co.uk/
Life Fitness https://www.lifefitness.com/en-us

PS: If you’re looking for cheap gym equipment, these brands are not that. In our experience, you get what you pay for when it comes to gym equipment. If you look after it, you will have it for a lifetime.

All the more reason to get serious about your lifting and make it a part of your life … FOREVER!!

If you want recommendations for budget friendly equipment, we don’t know of anything that’s actually good! If you’re looking for a deal, what we do recommend is search for used equipment on Facebook Marketplace, sales at gym equipment retailers, or find gyms in your area that are closing or downsizing. You may get a steal for something that’s amazing quality, but you’ll need to be patient.

Top 5 Non-Negotiable Pieces of Gym Equipment for your BJJ Lifting Gym