Element 26

Element 26 Provides Functional Gear for Functional Athletes. Helping You Destroy Your PRs, Not Your Body. Get Weightlifting Belts, Knee Sleeves, Hand Grips, Sweat Bands, and Functional Training Gear!

Element 26 sells protective and performance gear designed for CrossFit and functional fitness training. Founded by an Army veteran and physical therapist, the brand focuses on injury prevention alongside performance.

What Element 26 Actually Sells

Element 26's catalog includes eight weightlifting belt styles, three hand grip options, two wrist wraps, two lifting straps, two knee sleeves, one set of elbow sleeves, one topical (Cryo 10), and apparel. Each category addresses a specific joint or muscle group at risk during functional training. The belts are their largest product line, reflecting the brand's focus on core stability during heavy lifts. Hand grips and wrist wraps round out support for upper-body movements, while knee and elbow sleeves protect lower-body and joint stability. The topical option expands into recovery. This depth in a single category—protective gear—means Element 26 isn't a one-trick brand but stays disciplined around its core mission rather than diluting focus across unrelated fitness categories.

Who Buys Element 26 Gear

The typical customer is someone already committed to CrossFit, weightlifting, or functional fitness training at a serious level. Element 26 was born from the frustrations of athletes and coaches who saw preventable injuries sideline teammates and clients. Jason Franciosa, a former Army soldier with years of CrossFit and military HIIT training, and Phil Gauthier, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and weightlifting coach, founded the brand in 2017 specifically because they watched injuries multiply when prehab and rehab weren't taken seriously. This means the brand speaks to experienced athletes who already understand that joint protection and injury prevention are not optional. Beginners curious about functional training may also find value here, since the entry-level price points make it affordable to start protected rather than learning the hard way.

How Element 26 Prices Stack Up

The product range spans USD 15 to 60 across 35 items in stock. That breadth means you can pick up a basic item at the lower end or invest in a comprehensive protective setup across multiple joints. Individual categories show pricing variation too: hand grips and wrist wraps sit toward the entry level, while full belts and complete sleeve systems occupy the mid-range. For functional athletes who may buy multiple pieces at once—a belt plus knee sleeves plus wrist wraps, for example—the total investment can add up, but Element 26's approach to tiered pricing means you're not forced into a premium-only catalog. Most shoppers find good value at these price points compared to athletic-grade protective gear elsewhere, though Element 26 does not compete on being the absolute cheapest option.

What stands out

• Founded by a PT and Army vet focused on injury prevention, not just sales
• Affordable entry-level prices start at USD 15 for protective gear

Worth knowing

• Limited product range outside protective gear and apparel
• Mid-to-premium pricing on full protective systems adds up quickly

Who founded Element 26 and why?

Jason Franciosa, a former Army soldier, and Phil Gauthier, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and weightlifting coach, started Element 26 in 2017. Both saw preventable injuries sideline CrossFit and functional fitness athletes. They built the brand to provide prehab and rehab gear so athletes can perform at their best without getting hurt.

What's the price range for Element 26 products?

Prices span USD 15 to 60 across their product line. Entry-level items like hand grips and topicals sit at the lower end, while weightlifting belts and full protective setups cost more. Most customers can find gear at multiple price points depending on their budget and needs.