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Getting ready to sculpt your body with The Master's Hammer & Chisel? Me too!

Beachbody's new weight training program featuring celebrity trainers Autumn Calabrese (21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme) and Sagi Kalev (Body Beast) is now available.

Time to get ready - stat.

The required equipment list for Hammer & Chisel comes straight from Autumn Calabrese's Facebook page. I added my own thoughts and recommendations, as well as an optional equipment list.

Click to download and print the equipment checklist.

Required equipment for Master's Hammer & Chisel:

dumbbells of varying weights
a pull up bar (best option) -or- exercise band with door attachment
weight bench (best option) -or- stability ball
workout sheets & pen (will be released with the program). As Sagi says, "write it down!"

Optional crap equipment you might want to have while working out:

sweat towel
water bottle (I mix in BCAA's when I lift. Not sure it makes a difference, but it can't hurt.)
assistance band if you can't rock a pull up
Team Beachbody Club Membership (for streaming workouts at home or away)
phone if you will stream your workout from Beachbody on Demand (or to call 911)
Performance Recover to drink post-workout (assuming no 911 call)
Performance Recharge (for overnight recovery)
badass attitude

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Let's chat about what this equipment list means in real life.

What does "dumbbells of varying weights" really mean?

If you've done Body Beast you know that you need a WIDE range of weights. I use 5 pounds for my wimpy moves, all the way to 24 pounds. And I'm a woman. And not very strong. You won't get away with 3, 5 and 8 pound dumbbells like you can in some workouts.

Can you picture The Beast busting out chest presses with a pair of 8 pound weights?? Me neither.

Ladies, I would recommend 5 pounds up to 20 pounds to start. (This is a guesstimate because as of this writing Hammer & Chisel has not been released.)

Do I really need a pull-up bar?

Yes! Autumn says you can substitute a band with door attachment but I say buy the dang pull-up bar.

Especially if you are a woman. There is nothing more empowering than rocking a pull-up. You will feel so badass. (And with a badass attitude you can cross one item off your optional equipment list!)

I use an Iron Gym pull-up bar that pops in my door frame in 5 seconds. It pops right back out too. No installation or tools needed. I bought mine at Dick's Sporting Goods, but you can find pull-up bars at tons of places like Target, Walmart, Amazon, or local sporting goods stores.

If you can't do a pull-up, I highly recommend an assistance band. Beachbody sells one, but I bought mine on Amazon.

Do I really need a weight bench?

No, probably not. Sigh. That said, I am putting a weight bench on my Christmas list.

If you substitute a stability ball you will definitely get an awesome core workout because it takes a lot of effort to keep your body stable on the ball.

I use my aerobic step as a weight bench substitute for Body Beast. The step is not ideal because it's not quite large enough. I have to rather timidly sit down on one edge then, as I'm lying down, scoot my butt halfway off that edge, so my head and neck are supported on the other side of the step. All while holding heavy weights. Awkward.

Update: I am still using the aerobic step and actually there are ADVANTAGES over the bench. There are quite a few step-up moves onto the bench which is really tough for those of us with bad knees. I put my step on incline so I can step us as high as is comfortable (which is probably not as high as the bench).

4 ways to get Hammer & Chisel equipment cheap (or free).

If you need equipment for Hammer & Chisel, it just makes sense to get your weights and supplies as cheap as you can. Use the money I'm saving you to buy healthy food or designer clothes for your new smokin' hot body. Or you can send it my way. That's cool too.

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1. Purchase adjustable weights.

Rather than buying many individual dumbbells, consider a set of adjustable weights. I have a set of PowerBlock weights (from Amazon) that adjust from 3 to 24 pounds. It's like owning dumbbell sets in these weights: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24. This set retails for about $160.

Men or stronger women may need to purchase heavier weights. PowerBlock has a set from 2.5 to 50 pounds and it retails for about $349. I may have to suck it up and upgrade.

There are other brands of adjustable weights, such as SelectTech, so you have options. I'm just familiar with PowerBlock.

Even Walmart online has an adjustable set of dumbbells (5 to 50 pounds in five pound increments) for $311. (Sorry - but online shopping CAN'T be as bad as braving the store, right??)

2. Purchase used equipment.

Here in Kansas City there is a store called Play It Again Sports which sells used sporting equipment. Google "used sporting goods" and see if you have a similar store in your local area.
Check Craigslist. I saw tons of weights and weight benches for sale in my area.
Shop for deals at garage sales. Bonus: you'll find lots of other treasures at the same time!

3. Do your workouts at a gym.

If you have a gym membership (and Beachbody on Demand so you can stream your workouts) you can totally pump iron using the free weights at the gym. Who knows, you might inspire someone to join you!

4. Beg, borrow or steal equipment.

Best option, hands down. I'm only kidding about the stealing, but begging and borrowing? For sure.

We all know someone who decided to radically change their life by starting an intense workout regimen. In their enthusiasm, they decked out their home with new equipment. Three weeks later the weights and bench were relegated to the basement and now they are just gathering dust and cobwebs.

Will that person sell you their weights cheap? Or even - gasp - gift you their equipment?? (It might alleviate their guilt if they don't trip over the weight bench in the basement.) It doesn't hurt to ask.

So now you're ready to go! Here are some action steps you can take right now...

Print off your Hammer & Chisel Equipment Checklist and start collecting your supplies.
Sign up for my email list to be among the first to know when Hammer & Chisel will be released AND I'll share more info as it is spilled from Beachbody.
Read 7 Ways to Prepare for Hammer & Chisel right now.
Optional (but recommended): If you are not a member of the Beachbody Club, you can get a 30 day free trial and try Hammer & Chisel yourself in October! Click here to join.(Club membership allows you to stream tons of Beachbody workouts like P90x, Insanity and TurboFire. If you continue membership you are billed $39.97 every 3 months.)

Let's go shopping!!

What equipment do I need for Master's Hammer & Chisel? Plus 4 ways to get weights cheap (or free).