Sports equipment explained
Clear, plain-English guides to the gear used across sport — what each piece is for and which sports it belongs to.
Browse equipment
Each entry is cross-linked to the sports it belongs to and the terms around it.
Badminton racket
A lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton.
Barbell
A long bar loaded with weight plates for heavy strength training lifts.
Baseball bat
A smooth, rounded club used by batters to hit the pitched ball in baseball and softball.
Basketball
A large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
Bike helmet
A hard-shelled head covering worn while cycling and riding bikes.
Boxing gloves
Padded gloves worn to cover the hands when punching in boxing and striking sports.
Climbing shoes
Close-fitting rubber-soled shoes that grip small holds in climbing and bouldering.
Cricket bat
A flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
Cycling shoes
Stiff-soled shoes that clip onto pedals to transfer power efficiently while riding.
Dumbbell
A short handheld weight used for strength and fitness training.
Football (soccer ball)
A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
Football boots (cleats)
Studded footwear that grips the pitch for football and other field sports.
Gi (martial arts uniform)
A durable jacket-and-trouser uniform worn in several grappling and striking martial arts.
Golf club
A shafted club with a specialised head used to strike the ball around a golf course.
Hockey stick
A curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
Kettlebell
A cast weight with a looped handle used for swinging and strength exercises.
Mountain bike
A rugged bicycle built to handle rough, off-road terrain.
Mouthguard
A moulded guard worn over the teeth in contact and combat sports.
Padel racket
A solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
Pickleball paddle
A solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
Resistance band
A stretchy elastic band that provides resistance for strength and mobility work.
Road bike
A lightweight bicycle built for speed and efficiency on paved surfaces.
Running shoes
Cushioned footwear designed for the repetitive forward motion of running.
Shin guards
Protective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
Shuttlecock
A lightweight, feathered or plastic projectile hit back and forth in badminton.
Sports bag
A roomy bag for carrying kit, footwear and gear to and from training.
Squash racquet
A slim strung racquet used to hit the ball against the walls in squash.
Swim fins
Foot blades that increase propulsion when swimming, snorkelling or diving.
Swimming goggles
Sealed eyewear that lets swimmers see clearly and keep water out of the eyes.
Table tennis bat
A small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
Tennis ball
A hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
Tennis racquet
A strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
Volleyball
A soft, inflated ball struck with the hands and arms in volleyball.
Water bottle
A refillable bottle for carrying drinks and staying hydrated during sport.
Wetsuit
A close-fitting neoprene suit that keeps the wearer warm in cold water.
Yoga mat
A thin, cushioned non-slip mat used for floor-based exercise and stretching.
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