How much equipment is too much equipment ?

We are in the process of spring cleaning at the gym before swapping out the roof and moving some of the equipment around.

This photo from 2014 always acts as a guiding star in how we manage our growing arsenal of equipment: how little do we need to get the job done? And do we have enough options for clients, constraints be damned, to find a comfortable way to scale any movement of their choosing.

What we had in 2014: Kettlebells, plyoboxes, ropes, rings and pull ups bars. Five things is all we had.

Every tool we have added since felt like a great idea. Until we realised it’s been months since we used the tool. Something more comfortable came along.

Takeaway

I constantly find myself in love with a idea or a new tool. Trapbars in 2015. Push up handles and Sleds in 2016. Tbells in 2018. Centermass bells and Glute hams in 2019. Nunchuck handles in 2021. Safety squat bars and neutral grip bars in 2022. Airbikes and back extensions in 2023. A novel new lever squat and belt squat have been my favourite toys for 2024.

The truth is it’s always been about finding new ways to do the same old thing: push, pull, lift, squat, hinge and carry. Training minimalists might have a bone to pick with this approach.

The way I see it new tools teach me something new and give me a novel way to approach my clients problems. I rethink how I cue, coach and talk about the same old moves. Some call it old wine in a new bottle. But sometimes I feel drinking more wine when I see a new bottle.