BabyGains vs WOD Toys: Honest Comparison

This is the comparison every CrossFit parent eventually searches for. BabyGains vs WOD Toys — which one deserves your money?

We bought both. Used both. Let our kids destroy both. Here's what we found.

Materials

BabyGains: FSC-certified European beechwood. Every product. No exceptions. The wood is dense, smooth, and has a natural warmth that plastic and foam can't match.

WOD Toys: Mix of wood, foam, and plastic depending on the product. The barbell uses a wooden dowel with foam plates. The quality varies across the range.

Winner: BabyGains — Consistency and premium feel throughout the entire line.

Design Accuracy

This matters more than you'd think. Kids are perceptive. They know when something looks "real" and when it looks like a toy.

BabyGains: Proportionally accurate to real gym equipment. The barbell has proper end caps, the kettlebell has the right bell-to-handle ratio. They photograph incredibly well (which matters for the 'gram).

WOD Toys: More toy-like proportions. The barbell plates are oversized relative to the bar. Functional, but clearly a toy.

Winner: BabyGains — The proportional accuracy is noticeable.

Durability

BabyGains: Solid wood construction means these things can take a beating. We've had ours for 8 months with daily use — no chips, no cracks, no wear marks.

WOD Toys: The foam components show wear faster. After 6 months, the barbell plates had visible compression marks and the foam was starting to separate from the wooden dowel.

Winner: BabyGains — Solid wood simply lasts longer than foam.

Price

BabyGains barbell: ~$45 WOD Toys barbell: ~$30

BabyGains is more expensive across the board. You're paying for the material quality and design accuracy.

Winner: WOD Toys — If budget is the primary concern.

The Bottom Line

Choose BabyGains if: You want premium quality, accurate proportions, and equipment that lasts years. You appreciate sustainable materials and design.

Choose WOD Toys if: You want a budget-friendly entry point to see if your kids are interested in gym equipment before committing to a premium set.

Our recommendation: Start with one BabyGains piece. The quality difference is immediately apparent, and these become family heirlooms — not landfill fodder.