Founded on Kickstarter by U.S. military veterans who experienced the limitations of shipboard gyms, Lionheart Lifting makes portable, fillable sand-weight plates for training wherever life takes you. Its patent-pending Lionheart Plate uses tactical fabric, fills with dry sand or dirt, and works on or off the barbell, offering a washable alternative to traditional metal or rubber weights.
Micro GainzFounded by Mike Reed after he hit the limits of five-pound jumps in his own strength training, Micro Gainz makes patented fractional weight plates that let lifters increase dumbbell and barbell loads in smaller steps. The Clearfield, Pennsylvania company manufactures its sintered-steel plates in the USA, calibrating them to within 10 grams and developing clamp-on and magnetic designs for existing dumbbells.CLEARFIELD, PA
Mark Bell Sling Shot®Founded by professional powerlifter Mark Bell, Mark Bell Sling Shot® makes patented training gear built around its signature bench-press accessory, which helps lifters handle heavier loads while reinforcing form and reducing shoulder strain. The company also produces related support gear for strength training, including a push-up version designed to help users build repetitions with better technique.GLENS FALLS, NY
Falcon BreachingFounded in 2021 by Ohio law-enforcement and military veteran Phil Watts, Falcon Breaching handcrafts tactical breaching equipment for officers who need dependable tools in the field. Its American-made steel products are built by hand in Ohio, from compact pry bars such as the Schivv and Shank to the vibration-dampened Vitruv breaching ram. Watts draws on more than 13 years of law-enforcement and SWAT experience, along with 21 years of military service, to shape equipment around the individual operator.HAMILTON, OH
EliteFTSFounded by Dave Tate in 1998, EliteFTS began with a question-and-answer site and has grown into a London, Ohio-based strength brand that supplies training equipment while publishing free education for lifters and coaches. Its mission is rooted in passing knowledge forward, reflected in more than 1 million pages of published content and the company’s “Focus, Trust, Strength” name. EliteFTS also highlights American-made strength equipment and says it serves gyms, schools, and serious lifters.LONDON, OH