As I meet with agencies across the nation to discuss police wellness and fitness, I’ve noticed a divide in how departments approach physical readiness. Some embrace functional fitness, updating their gyms to prepare officers for real-world demands. Others rely on outdated setups, leaving officers unprepared for unpredictable, high-stakes situations.
The difference is clear: agencies that invest in functional fitness see officers who move better, recover faster and perform under pressure. The good news? Building a better police gym doesn’t require a massive budget.
Here are three affordable, mission-critical pieces of equipment every department should have — plus expert-backed exercises to maximize their use.
| RELATED: Sweat on a budget: Top products to build your own DIY home gym
1. Weighted vests
Officers carry 20 to 40 pounds of gear daily, but most train without that load. Weighted vests bridge the gap, conditioning the body for real-world strength, endurance and resilience. Not all weighted vests are created equal, so choosing the right option depends on whether you need realism, heavy rucking capability or ease of movement. Here are my top recommendations:
Recommended weighted vests for police officers
Realistic police feel: REP Fitness Strata Weight Vest with Plates
The best vest that mirrors the fit and weight distribution of police body armor is the
REP Fitness Strata Weight Vest with Plates.
This vest even uses PALS so an officer can attach their favorite MOLLE gear to it, making the training even more realistic.
REP is known for their high-quality, affordable equipment.
I use the Strata Weight Vest with 20-pound weight plates. This vest is superb for functional training, including jumps, pull-ups, dips, twisting and lifting.
Heaviest for rucking: BOX Weight Vest
If you’re looking for a high-quality rucking vest, the
BOX Weight Vest is my top choice.
It is designed to sit securely on the upper torso and provides excellent weight distribution while adding a slight challenge to the core and lower back.
What sets the BOX Vests apart is their customizable weight system, allowing you to adjust from as little as 5 pounds up to a massive 150 pounds.
Start small, then work up to what is challenging for you.
⚠️ A word of caution: Avoid explosive twisting movements while wearing this vest, as the higher center of gravity can compromise balance and safety.
I stick to rucking, weighted jumps and controlled exercises with this vest.
Easiest to move in: Zelus 20-Pound Weighted Vest
For a lighter-weight, non-tactical vest, the
Zelus 20lb Weighted Vest is a good option.
It’s flexible, stays in place during dynamic movements, and is ideal for cardio and bodyweight workouts.
I originally used mine for boxing and striking drills, but I’ve since upgraded to the Strata Weight Vest with Plates for everything except rucking.
Top 3 weighted vest exercises
| RELATED: Why rucking is the perfect exercise for police officers
2. Plyo boxes
Plyometric training develops explosive power, agility and fast-twitch muscle fibers. That is why every professional sport uses them in their programming. Police work demands rapid acceleration, barrier vaulting and sudden changes in direction. Regular plyometric training ensures you can execute these movements with power and control, reducing injury risk while improving job performance. Since police work often requires these skills, try to jump train at least a few times a week.
Recommended plyo boxes for police officers
Best soft plyo boxes
If you are new to jump training or you plan to exhaust your legs before jumping, use a soft-style plyo box. That way, if you miss your jump, you won’t scrape your shins.
My choice is the
3-in-1 Soft Plyo Boxes from REP.
I have used all three sizes for years and they work great for indoor gyms.
For an upgraded option, try the
Stackable Soft Foam Plyo Box.
These are great for vertical training and you don’t have to worry about scraping your shins.
Best wooden plyo boxes
A good wooden option is the
Yes4All 3-in-1 Wooden Plyo Box.
They are sturdy and wide enough for safe landings. Since they are 3-in-1, the user can safely jump onto each side without fear of breaking the box.
For an upgrade stackable option, stick with
REP Fitness’ Stackable Wood Plyometrics Box.
It has a skidproof top, making sure you don’t fall off when you make it to the top.
Best adjustable plyo boxes
If your gym is limited on space and you are looking for a simple plyo setup,
REP Fitness’ Adjustable Plyo Box is a great option.
This is the adjustable plyo box I take with me to work since my department’s gym doesn’t have one.
It is lightweight enough to move around the gym, but durable enough for some intense workouts.
I use this adjustable plyo box for weighted vest box jumps, depth jumps and hip mobility work.
Top 3 plyo box exercises
3. Gymnastic rings or suspension trainers
Bodyweight training with gymnastic rings or suspension trainers develops functional strength, joint stability and core endurance. Unlike fixed machines, these tools force the body to stabilize itself, closely replicating the unpredictable physical demands of police work. As Jocko Willink simply put it: “If there’s one thing that you could have, if there was one piece of equipment, it would probably be smart to go with just wooden rings. You could basically work for the rest of your life on rings.”
I use both. The rings are superior for home and police gyms by developing raw rotational muscle, and the suspension trainers are superior for travel and core workouts.
Top 3 ring/TRX exercises
Final thoughts
A well-equipped police gym should go beyond traditional weightlifting setups and should focus on explosive power and functional fitness. Yes, being muscular is important, but it is more important to have useful muscles. Weighted vests, plyo boxes and gymnastic rings/TRX bands are three budget-friendly tools that every agency can afford. Agencies investing in this kind of training aren’t just upgrading their gyms; they’re upgrading their officers’ survival skills.
NEXT: Consider doing these agility and change-of-direction workout drills to build your resilience. Watch the video below to learn more.
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