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Recommended Bike and Run Equipment
Tracking Device: Garmin, Suunto, Polar, or other smartwatches to monitor metrics.
Heart rate monitor: Chest straps (Garmin, Polar, and Wahoo all make quality models) tend to be the most accurate, but you can use a forearm sensor or your smartwatch as well.
Comfortable Shoes: Shoes that minimize your muscular fatigue and damage and are most comfortable are best. Lighter and trendier isn't always better: just because a Kenyan can run a 2-hour marathon wearing a certain shoe, doesn’t make it the correct one for you.
Smart Trainer: Wahoo, Tacx, Cycleops/Saris, or similar brands. We use Wahoo at the Purple Patch Center in SF. (If you don't have a smart trainer, you can still use our bike sessions -- it's just less ideal.)
Road Bike: This is less a need and more a nice addition. The road bike is a wonderful tool to improve bike interactions, handling, and skill, all of which are less intuitive on a time-trial bike.
Optional: 3rd Party Training Apps like Zwift or TrainerRoad for your bike workouts. All Purple Patch bike sessions are structured (with runs coming in the fall of 2021), meaning that they will automatically sync to software like Zwift. However, rather than using these -- and having to pay yet another monthly fee -- we strongly recommend riding along with our live, on-demand, or watch party enhanced bike sessions instead.
Recommended Strength Equipment
Set of kettlebells or dumbbells
Large resistance bands like Rogue Monster Bands
Mini resistance bands like Emma's mini bands or this set from Gaiam
Optional:
We occasionally use handled bands like these, though you can generally do those exercises with a large resistance band instead.
You may want a yoga mat or set of interlocking gym flooring squares for comfort when doing some exercises kneeling or on the floor.
Any other props we use like a towel or chair should be readily available in most environments.
Recommended Swim Equipment
Swimming is the place where we utilize the most additional tools. These come in handy and are integrated into many of your Purple Patch swim sessions. For more information on swim workouts and the use of the recommended equipment, make sure to check out our Swim Glossary.
Swim Buoy: Eney Buoy
Snorkel: The Aquasphere
Tech Paddles: Tech Paddles
Power Paddles: Strokemaker Hand Paddles
Ankle-Strap/Band: Ankle Strap on Amazon
Fins: ROKA Sports Classic Silicone Short Fins or TYR Crossblade Training Fin
Tempo Trainer: FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro
Stretch Cordz: StrechCordz with Paddles