My Top Five Training Tools (and Why I Rate Them) - Jake Langham

Over the years I’ve used just about every piece of kit under the sun. Some collect dust, some are gimmicks, but a few are absolute workhorses that I come back to every week with clients and in my own training. Here are my top five:

1. Trap Bar

The trap bar is king for building strength safely. From deadlifts to loaded carries and even jumps, it allows you to train heavy without placing the same demand on your lower back as a straight bar. If I could only pick one bar, this would be it.

2. Sled (Prowler)

Push it, pull it, drag it — the sled is another staple piece of kit . It’s low-skill, joint-friendly, and works strength, power, and conditioning all in one. Plus, it’s hard to cheat on — you either move the sled or you don’t.

3. Resistance Bands

Bands are one of the cheapest, most versatile tools around. Warm-ups, speed work, adding accommodating resistance to lifts and joint friendly hypertrophy burners! — they’re always in my bag.

4. Dumbbells

Simple, effective, and endlessly versatile. Dumbbells let you load movements in ways a barbell can’t. Plus, they’re more joint-friendly for a lot of people.

5. Medicine Ball

Nothing beats the feeling of slamming a ball into the ground or launching it at a wall. It’s safe, explosive, and gets athletes of all levels moving with real intent.

Why These 5?

Each of these tools works across multiple goals: strength, power, conditioning, and performance. They’re not gimmicks — they’re enduring, adaptable, and always get results.