You don’t need a gym full of machines to make progress in calisthenics, but a few smart accessories can make a big difference. Whether it’s protecting your joints, improving your grip, or making your setup more efficient, the right gear supports you where it counts.
Over the years, I’ve tested all kinds of calisthenics accessories, some game-changers, others a complete waste of money. This list focuses on the best calisthenics accessories I actually use or confidently recommend to athletes I coach. Nothing gimmicky, just gear that adds real value to your training.
Table of Contents
Resistance Bands
If you’re going to buy one accessory, make it a good set of resistance bands. They’re incredibly versatile, useful for warm-ups, mobility work, assisted pull-ups, dips, front levers, and even extra resistance on push-ups or squats.
What makes resistance bands so valuable is that they grow with you. Beginners can use them for support, while more advanced athletes use them for overload or targeted activation work.
When choosing bands, go for a set with multiple resistance levels and make sure the material is durable and snap-resistant. Cheap bands lose elasticity fast and can be unsafe when stretched to their limit.
Wrist Wraps
Your wrists take a beating in calisthenics, especially if you’re training movements like handstands, dips, planches, or weighted push-ups. Wrist wraps give you that extra bit of stability without limiting range of motion.
There are different types of wraps depending on your training needs. Lighter, more flexible wraps are great for dynamic movements and general training. Stiffer wraps offer more support for weighted exercises or wrist-heavy skills.
I go into more detail about both wraps in my post on the best wrist wraps for calisthenics.
Liquid Chalk
Grip matters. Whether you’re holding a pull-up bar, working on front levers, or going heavy on weighted dips, slippery hands can kill your set. Liquid chalk is a cleaner, more portable alternative to block or powder chalk, and it works just as well.
It dries quickly, doesn’t make a mess in your bag or on the floor, and sticks better during humid outdoor sessions or sweaty workouts. Once you try it, it’s hard to go back.
I use it mostly for bar work and weighted training, but it’s useful in any situation where you don’t want your grip to be the weak link.
Elbow sleeves
If you’re serious about weighted calisthenics, elbow sleeves are more than just a comfort item, they’re a smart piece of gear. Especially during movements like heavy weighted dips, where the elbows take a lot of direct stress, a good pair of sleeves can make all the difference.
I use elbow sleeves to keep my joints warm and supported during these kinds of sessions. They provide compression and stability without locking you in or messing with your range of motion. For lighter training or skill work, you might not need them. But when the weights go up, I always bring them out.
Tactical Bag
Carrying your gear in a proper bag might not sound essential at first—but once you’ve trained with one, it’s hard to go back. A tactical-style backpack is perfect for calisthenics athletes who train in different environments and need to bring bands, chalk, wraps, and other accessories with them.
What sets these bags apart is the practical layout and rugged build. Most tactical backpacks offer multiple compartments to keep your gear organized, reinforced straps for comfort, and tough materials that hold up well in outdoor conditions.
Whether you’re heading to a calisthenics park, training at the gym, or moving between indoor and outdoor sessions, a tactical bag makes things simple: everything you need, in one place, ready to go. Many also come with customizable patches, which is a small but fun touch to make the bag feel more personal.
Calisthenics Clothing
Calisthenics isn’t just a way to train, it’s a lifestyle. The clothing you wear during your sessions doesn’t just serve a purpose, it also says something about how you approach the sport and what you’re a part of.
Wearing calisthenics-specific gear is a way to represent the discipline and connect with a growing global community of athletes who value strength, control, and simplicity. Whether you’re training alone or at a crowded park, there’s something motivating about putting on gear that reflects the work you put in and the mindset behind it.
It’s not about performance fabrics or clever tech. It’s about wearing something made by calisthenics athletes, for calisthenics athletes, gear that reflects the movement, the culture, and the commitment behind it.
If you’ve ever nodded to someone at the bar because they’re wearing a shirt from your favorite brand, you get it.
