Recommended Bike and Run Equipment

Tracking Device: Garmin, Suunto, Polar, or other smartwatches to monitor metrics.

Heart rate monitor: Chest straps tend to be the most accurate, but you can use a forearm sensor or your smartwatch as well. (Garmin and Wahoo make quality models.) NOTE: If you want to use your heart rate monitor with our cycling platform, make sure it's Bluetooth (BLE) enabled!

Indoor Bike Equipment: Our cycling platform offers game-changing performance benefits. It allows us to simulate terrain and provide you with real-time feedback through the platform itself if you have a smart trainer. A smart trainer is not required but it is recommended. Wahoo, Tacx, and Cycleops/Saris all make great smart trainers. If we had to pick one, we'd recommend the Wahoo Kickr or Kickr Core (we use Wahoo Kickrs at the Purple Patch Center in San Francisco). No smart trainer? No problem: many of our athletes utilize Pelotons or basic trainers and you can still get great benefits from the video based coaching if you utilize these types of indoor equipment.

Comfortable Shoes: Shoes that minimize your muscular fatigue and damage and are most comfortable are best. Lighter, trendier, and carbon plate-ier 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. Brooks, Hoka, and Asics are just a few brands that work well for athletes.

Comfortable apparel: Don't underestimate how miserable chafing can make you. If you're committing to training for an endurance event, consider investing in high-quality gear including bike shorts/bibs (and don't forget that chamois cream!).

Recommended Strength Equipment

Set of kettlebells and/or dumbbells: ideally two to three different weights (one for single-arm exercises like a row, one for two-arm exercises like a goblet squat)

Large resistance bands like Rogue Monster Bands

Mini resistance bands like this set from Gaiam

Foam Roller: A foam roller is a fantastic tool for self-care and tissue health. 

Padded flooring: If you typically do your strength work in a garage or basement with a concrete floor, we strongly recommend a yoga mat, some interlocking gym flooring, or other padding to make exercises more comfortable to execute (especially when kneeling)

Optional: You may occasionally see these in our workouts, but we'll offer alternatives/adaptations using the equipment above:

• Handled Bands and/or TRX: We occasionally use these, or TRX straps, though you can substitute a resistance band instead.
• Barbell (for squats, deadlifts, and power cleans) +/- squat rack -- you can do these movements with barbells/kettlebells instead.
• Medicine ball

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: Any foam buoy will work

Snorkel: This Phelps model is great, and Finis is a popular choice too

Power Paddles: Strokemaker Hand Paddles: (unless you are an elite swimmer, we recommend the SMALL or EXTRA SMALL size)

Ankle-Strap/Band: Ankle Strap on Amazon

Fins: Short-blade fins like the ROKA Sports Classic Silicone Short Fins or TYR Crossblade Training Fin are ideal

Optional - Stretch Cordz: While not required, these are a great option for supplemental work on dry land or to use for warming up pre-swim. If you invest in swim bands, we recommend the yellow paddles for most triathletes, or the green if you are a very strong/elite swimmer: StrechCordz with Paddles