The Best Strength Training Equipment for Women (That Isn't Pink and Useless)

You're tired of elliptical purgatory and ready to build some actual strength, but if your first time walking into the weight room felt anything like mine, it was at best like entering a boys' club armed with nothing but good intentions and a water bottle.

Some gyms try to make women feel more "welcome" with pastel dumbbells and a pile of resistance bands in the corner, but... most women I know are already carrying a 40-pound kid on their hip. We’re not here to train with anything less than what we're lifting on a daily basis.

Leave those pastel-colored, two-pound dumbbells to collect dust and let's talk about the practical, effective, coach-approved workout equipment that will actually make your workouts more productive, less intimidating, and way more fun.

Table of Contents

1. Micro Plates (Fractional Weights)

Why they matter: Progress isn't always linear, and it damn sure isn't always in five-pound jumps. It can be really frustrating when you can't quite hit the next standard weight plate on your lifts. That's where these come in.

Micro plates are small, fractional weights that allow you to make teeny tiny, incremental increases. This is how you break through strength training plateaus without wanting to throw the entire barbell across the gym.

These have a huge impact on me mentally because I can see the difference between stalling for weeks and consistently getting stronger.

Coach tip: Get a set that ranges from 0.5 to 2.5 lbs. They are absolute gold for upper body lifts where progress is slower. Using these is a smart way to ensure you're always challenging your muscles without risking injury from a jump that's too big.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Micro Plates (Fractional Barbell Plates)

Progress isn't always measured by 5 or 10 pounds and sometimes going up in weight just doesn't feel like it is in the cards—and that’s where these come in. Fractional plates let you make consistent, manageable progress without forcing big jumps before you're ready. Whether you're trying to bust through a plateau or just keep momentum going without burning out, these tiny-but-mighty plates are the move.

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2. Quick-Release Barbell Clamps

Why they matter: Fumbling with those ancient, rusty spring collars the gym provides is a special kind of hell. Switching weights should be quick and easy, not a workout in itself.

Quick-release clamps are one of those tools that you'll kick yourself for not getting sooner. They slide on and off easily and lock down tightly, making your strength training workout safer and switching plates more efficient and far less annoying. Now you can focus on your form, not on wrestling with your equipment.

Coach tip: Look for a pair with a strong locking mechanism that's still easy to release. These are a small investment that will save you a ton of time and frustration in the long run.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Changing Plates Shouldn’t Be a Workout

If you’ve ever wrestled with those janky spring clamps mid-set—fighting, twisting, cursing—you know the pain. These quick-lock clamps fix that. They snap on and off in seconds, hold your plates in place without the struggle, and don’t interrupt your workout flow. Save the effort for your lifts, not your equipment.

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3. Heel Wedges or Squat Wedges

Why they matter: Not everyone is blessed with the ankle mobility of a gymnast. If you struggle to hit depth in your squats without your heels lifting, a squat wedge can elevate your heels slightly, allowing for a more upright torso and deeper range of motion in your squats, which means better glute and quad engagement.

But that's not what I use these for! (Plot twist!) - Honestly, if you want to do heel elevated squats, you can just stand on plates. No need to buy extra equipment. But...

These are FANTASTIC to have for anyone whose feet can't firmly push into the floor during bench press or seated overhead presses! These exercises require a power drive from your feet, and if your feet can't stay flat on the ground due to shorter legs or bench height, you're missing out on generating that extra power.

Slipping a wedge under your heels fixes that issue instantly! It's such a small adjustment, but trust me, it makes a big difference in how stable and strong you feel during the lift.

Coach tip: A 10–15° wedge is a great starting point for general use. These are also fantastic for exercises like calf raises or adding a stability challenge to lunges.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Leg Support Wedges

When your feet can’t hit the floor, leg drive becomes a non-starter and your setup feels like you’re benching on tippy toes. These leg-height blocks are the hack I recommend for that exact problem. They give you a grounded base, improve leverage, and let you push heavier and with more stability.

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4. Flat-Soled Shoes

Why they matter: Your cushy running shoes are great for the treadmill, but they are sabotaging your lifts. For strength training exercises like squats and deadlifts, you need a stable base. Flat, solid-soled shoes give you better ground contact, which translates to more power, better balance, and a safer lift. When you can feel the floor, you can generate more force.

Coach tip: You don't need to spend a lot of money here. Classic Converse, Vans, or even minimalist barefoot-style shoes are perfect (honestly? I workout in my socks half the time). The goal is a flat, non-compressible sole.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Women's Minimalist Barefoot Sneakers

If you’ve felt wobbly, like you lack power while lifting, or your knees are buckling - take a look at your shoes! The flat, zero-drop on the sole of these shoes gives you solid ground contact for better balance, power transfer, and stability during lifts. Plus, the wide toe box lets your feet splay naturally (so your grippers can actually grip).

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5. Long Resistance Bands

Why they matter: These are the Swiss Army knife of gym equipment. Long resistance bands are incredibly versatile for a full body workout. Use them for warming up your shoulders, adding resistance to glute bridges, assisting with pull-ups, or even as a substitute for cable machines for exercises like lat pulldowns and face pulls. They're lightweight, portable, and a cost-effective way to add variety and challenge to your routines.

Coach tip: Most gyms have these, but I've seen a few too many snap mid-use because they aren't inspected regularly! This is why I like to keep at least one of my own medium-tension resistance bands in my gym bag at all times. You’ll be surprised how often you reach for it for warm-ups, accessory, and assisted exercises.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Resistance Bands (5‑Level Set)

Don’t underestimate the power of stretchy rubber. Resistance bands are one of the most versatile, underrated tools out there.You can use them for warmups, mobility, accessory work, travel workouts, and more! Plus, they’re gentle on joints and can be endlessly combined with each other.

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6. Lifting Straps

Why they matter: There will come a time when your grip strength gives out before your back or leg muscles do, especially on heavy deadlifts or rows. That's not a sign of weakness; it's just biology.

Lifting straps wrap around your wrists and the barbell, securing your grip so you can focus on pulling heavy weights and targeting the right muscles without your hands failing you first.

Coach tip: Use them strategically on your heaviest sets for compound movements. Don't rely on them for everything, as you still want to build your natural grip strength, but don't let your grip be the reason you can't lift heavy and build a strong posterior chain!

Coach Brittany Morgon
Lifting Wrist Straps

These straps take the pressure off your fingers and forearms so you can load up and focus on pulling from the bigger muscles you're trying to train. 

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Bonus Picks: Best Gym Equipment For the Home Gym Girlies

If your lifting happens in your living room or garage, adding these budget-friendly items to your setup will create a seriously functional training space, without breaking the bank.

Adjustable Dumbbells

Why they matter: They're traditional weights that take up a smaller space. Space-saving, versatile, and easy to scale as you get stronger.

Coach Brittany Morgon
NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells

These are an investment—but they replace an entire rack of dumbbells and most of what you'd touch in a commercial gym. With these, a good mat, and a couple resistance bands, you’ve got everything you need for full-body strength training workouts in the footprint of a queen-sized bed.

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Extra Large Workout Mat

Why it matters: Yoga mats are for yoga. An extra large sized exercise mat is essential to do any workout your heart desires, comfortably.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Extra Large Workout Mat

If your workouts on a yoga mat feel more like walking a tightrope, you need THIS mat. The size alone changes everything—no more awkward toe-dipping off the edge during lunges, moving planks, or jump exercises. The cushioning feels solid under pressure, and the non‑slip texture actually stays put.

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Adjustable Bench and/or Steppers

Why they matter: A bench adds angles for pressing and rowing, and steppers can double for box squats, Bulgarian splits, or step-ups.

Coach Brittany Morgon
Adjustable Folding Exercise Bench

If you’re serious about strength training at home, an adjustable bench opens up a world of movement options without taking over your space. It lets you switch between flat, incline, and decline positions so you can target different muscle groups and vary your training without needing multiple pieces of equipment. Presses, rows, step-ups, hip thrusts, you name it, this bench becomes your base. Bonus: when you're not using it, it folds up and gets out of your way.

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Tube Resistance Bands with Door Anchors

Why they matter: Great for exercises like rows, presses, and pulldown where you would use a cable machine in a traditional gym. Bonus points if you mount a pull-up bar in your doorframe and anchor your resistance bands from there!

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Resistance Band Set

This is the resistance band set I own and recommend to clients. This set has everything you need for a solid strength workout, no matter your fitness level or space. Great for at-home workouts, travel, or adding variety at the gym.

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Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
Wall-Mount Pull-Up Bar

If you're building out a home gym setup, this wall-mounted pull-up bar is one of those foundational pieces that earns its keep fast. It’s not just for pull-ups—it has multiple grip options to vary your training and reduce joint strain, plus built-in anchor points for resistance bands or suspension trainers. That means you can knock out rows, presses, core work, mobility drills, and more—all from one rock-solid mount.

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Your Gear Should Support You

Walking into the weight room is already intimidating enough but this equipment is designed to make your training more efficient, more comfortable, and ultimately, more effective.

Remember: Strength isn’t just about the muscle you build; it’s about feeling capable and confident in your own body. So, grab the gear that supports your fitness goals, own your space under the barbell, and get ready to feel like the badass you are.