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There’s no such thing anymore as an offseason for football players. If you’re one of them, staying in “football” shape is a year-round necessity to ensure you’re ready to go when the season rolls around. Off days don’t exist when it comes to being mindful of nutrition and taking care of your body.
But if you want to be at the top of your game when football season starts, then the time to put in the extra effort comes months before the first kickoff. This includes taking your training up a notch and making sure you have the best equipment available.
To help you hit the ground running, we reviewed and ranked the best fitness products on the market — all in the name of getting you ready for the 2024 season.
The 10 best products for the 2024 football season:
- Best Football Cleats — Adidas Freak Ultra 22 Cleats
- Best Training Ladder — GHB Pro Agility Ladder
- Best Back Roller — Acumobility Back Roller
- Best Catch Trainer — SKLZ Reactive Catch Trainer
- Best Blocking Pad — Go Sports Blocking Pad
- Best Agility Rings — Yes4All Ultimate Agility Rings
- Best Breathable Football Gloves — Adidas Adizero Big Mood Gloves
- Best Training Set — Big B Pro Sports Agility Training Set
- Best Football Gloves for Grip — Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 Football Gloves
- Best Training Rope — Adidas Speed Rope
Best Football Cleats — Adidas Freak Ultra 22 Football Cleats
You’ll make a lasting impression on the field with these slip-on Adidas Freak Ultra 22 football cleats. They’re designed for a sock-like fit, so they’ll comfortably conform to your foot without being too restrictive or hindering your performance. Their midsoles are also designed to absorb impact and add a little bounce in your step.
Related Post: The Best Football Cleats for Every Football Player and Position
Best Agility Ladder — GHB Pro Agility Ladder
This 12 rung Pro Agility Ladder from GHB aims to help you get faster, build up leg strength and improve your overall balance.. Additionally, it will also help you build faster footwork while burning calories. Each rung measures 17 inches and you can adjust the spacing between rungs up to 15 inches using the ladder’s nylon straps — it spans 20 feet as well.
Best Back Roller — Acumobility Back Roller
Stretching and taking care of your muscles are important elements of your football fitness regimen. After all, your strength and agility won’t do you much good if your muscles are tight. The Acumobility removes back tension through its unique design that consists of rows, bumps and a spinal groove. It’s extra durable with a 1,000-pound weight limit, so it’s perfect for players of any position and size.
Best Catch Trainer — SKLZ Reactive Catch Trainer
No matter what position you play, coordination is critical. The SKLZ Reactive Catch Trainer looks like a boomerang that you can throw at different angles and speeds to build and maintain your hand-eye coordination along with reaction time. Its three points, rounded ends and center component design force your mind and body to make rapid decisions in the moment. It even comes with online programming and content designed by certified trainers.
Best Blocking Pad — GoSports Blocking Pad
Simulate contact drills and get yourself ready for the physical rigors that come with hitting and being hit. The GoSports Blocking Pad is built with heavy-duty materials and features five reinforced, strategically located handles that make the pad much more controllable than blocking pads with the typical two-handle design. Its core holds high-density foam that absorbs impact and its surface is made of a tear-proof composite surface. This blocking pad is five inches tall and measures 26 inches long and 16 inches wide.
Best Agility Rings — Yes4All Ultimate Agility Rings
Improve your agility and speed with this set of six connected hexagon rings. Easy to set up, these rings and their connector clips make arranging them into your desired configuration quick and simple. This means you’ll spend less time handling them and more time using them for footwork training.
Best Breathable Football Gloves — Adidas Adizero Big Mood Gloves
When it’s time to catch and run, you can count on these Adidas Adizero Big Mood compression gloves. That’s because they feature Grip Tack technology, a tacky adhesive material designed to improve grip in all climates and weather conditions. The gloves also have a four-way stretching region for the back of your hand, so you won’t feel a restrictive pull when you close your hand. These gloves deliver a true feel when the football hits your palm — and they improve your ability to make the toughest catches and corral elusive handoffs.
Best Agility Set — Big B Pro Sports Speed & Agility Training Set
If you’re a coach or someone looking for a variety of training equipment in a single collection, the Big B Pro Sports Speed & Agility Training Set likely has everything you need. Create your own agility course using the speed ladder and drill cones, or build your endurance with the set’s jump rope and running parachute. It even comes with five resistance bands to build muscle strength. The set also comes with a convenient carrying bag so you can set up your course and train anywhere.
Best Football Gloves for Grip — Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 Football Gloves
The Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 Football Gloves are specially designed to give your palm a greater catching surface. This surface also incorporates Nike’s patented sticky grip technology, so you can secure the football with greater ease. The glove features lightweight padding that does a great job of protecting your thumbs without making the glove feel too heavy as well. You get a solid grip, great flexibility and reinforced finger protection in a single set of gloves.
Best Training Rope — Adidas Speed Rope
Never underestimate the training benefits of a good speed rope. The Adidas Speed Rope offers a smooth and continuous rotation to help you find and maintain your jumping rhythm. That’s thanks to its ball bearing mechanism that evenly distributes weight and force, which also helps create a consistent arc. This speed rope is constructed from rubber and measures nearly 10 feet long. And its padded foam handles keep your palms and wrists comfortable for long cardio sessions.
Football Equipment FAQs
What equipment is needed for football training?
Football players are required to wear protective gear including a helmet, shoulder pads, thigh and knee pads, gloves, a mouthguard and — in most cases — a jockstrap. And of course, you'll also need a football. Other commonly used training gear includes blocking pads and agility accessories like cones and ladders.
How much does football equipment cost?
To fully outfit college and pro level football players costs at least $1,000 and only goes up from there. Youth or high school football players can typically be outfitted for $300–$400, though that doesn't include training equipment, which can add another $50–$200.
What do you wear under football pants?
Most football players wear a football girdle under their pants. The girdle holds protective pads in place around the thighs, knees, hips, and butt. It can also hold a jockstrap.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.