When professional teams hit the road, they still need to train, recover, and prepare just as they would at home. But when playing away, athletes rely on the host stadium’s workout and conditioning facilities. These spaces can range from small warm-up rooms with a few dumbbells to full-service gyms with racks, cardio machines, and recovery pools.
This article explains what equipment stadiums typically provide to visiting teams across the NFL, NBA, and NHL—and how those facilities compare in size, quality, and access.
1. League Rules and Facility Standards
All three major leagues set minimum facility requirements for fairness and player safety.
NFL: The NFL’s “Equity Rule” requires home teams to give visiting clubs “all practical equity” in access to locker rooms, benches, and training equipment so no team gains an unfair advantage. In practice, this means every stadium must offer visiting teams locker rooms, showers, and a designated strength and recovery area—though these are often smaller and less advanced than the home team’s performance centers.
NHL: The NHL mandates visiting-team locker rooms, storage for gear trucks, and on-site attendants. Since 2022, all NHL arenas must include at least one portable cable training system such as the ANCORE Pro, which allows strength coaches to perform pulley and resistance exercises without bulky weight stacks.
NBA: The NBA requires arenas to include separate locker rooms with showers, treatment tables, and access to either the main court or an auxiliary practice gym. Teams often warm up and lift in the same complex, minimizing travel.
These league rules set a baseline—but not all stadiums deliver the same level of comfort or equipment variety.
2. What Equipment Visiting Teams Typically Find
Across leagues, most visiting locker-room complexes include:
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Dumbbells from 5 to 100 lbs (some NFL and NHL stadiums go up to 120 lbs)
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Adjustable benches and squat racks or half-racks
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Resistance bands and portable cable systems
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Stationary bikes and ellipticals for warm-ups
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Foam rollers, mats, jump boxes, and medicine balls
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Massage tables and treatment areas
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Hydrotherapy tubs or ice baths (in higher-end venues)
However, the layout, amount of space, and quality of recovery gear depend heavily on the stadium’s age and home-team budget.
3. NFL Stadiums: Heavy Strength and Large Recovery Spaces
NFL teams rely heavily on power and recovery work, so stadiums usually provide larger strength rooms and physical therapy areas. Still, most away setups are scaled-down versions of the home facilities.
Typical equipment for visiting NFL teams includes:
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Full dumbbell racks (up to 120 lbs)
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Two or more Olympic squat racks or half-racks
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Adjustable benches, barbells, bumper plates
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Plyo boxes, sleds, and battle ropes
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Stationary bikes and treadmills for pre-game activation
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Ice baths, hot tubs, and taping stations
Stadiums like AT&T Stadium (Cowboys), SoFi Stadium (Rams / Chargers), and Allegiant Stadium (Raiders) all feature visiting locker rooms with connected training zones and medical rooms. Visiting players often warm up inside small auxiliary gyms located next to the locker room, or on the sideline using resistance bands and stationary bikes.
Because NFL teams travel with dedicated equipment trucks, many bring extra weights, portable racks, and recovery tools. Equipment managers coordinate unloading hours before kickoff to set up the visiting strength area.
4. NBA Arenas: Mobility, Cardio, and Practice-Court Access
NBA teams focus more on flexibility, explosiveness, and mobility than on heavy lifting. Visiting teams often use the arena’s auxiliary practice gym for pre-game warm-ups and conditioning.
Typical NBA visiting-team setup includes:
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Dumbbells (5–80 lbs) and benches
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Medicine balls, resistance bands, and BOSU balls
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Stationary bikes or treadmills
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Foam rollers, mats, and stretching zones
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Massage and taping tables for trainers
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Access to the main or practice court for warm-up drills
At Chase Center (Warriors), Crypto.com Arena (Lakers / Clippers), and TD Garden (Celtics), visiting teams can use secondary gyms that include free weights, cardio machines, and treatment rooms. While they lack the home team’s full sports-science technology, they are well-equipped for maintenance workouts, activation, and rehab work.
Because NBA teams play frequent games, visiting squads typically rely on hotel or practice-facility gyms for heavy strength sessions, saving arena time for dynamic warm-ups and shooting routines.
5. NHL Arenas: Limited Space but Specialized Recovery Gear
Hockey arenas have tighter footprints and colder environments, so space is often the main constraint for visiting teams. Yet the NHL has introduced standardized equipment expectations for safety and performance.
Typical NHL visiting-team facilities include:
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Dumbbells (5–100 lbs) and benches
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Stationary bikes for pre-skate warm-ups
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Portable cable systems (ANCORE Pro or Keiser units)
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Stretch mats, resistance bands, and medicine balls
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Massage and taping tables
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Ice baths and small hydrotherapy tubs (if space allows)
Modern venues like the Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle Kraken) and Scotiabank Arena (Toronto Maple Leafs) have upgraded visiting locker rooms with heated floors, improved lighting, and compact training areas. Still, many older rinks have just a single stationary bike and small warm-up corner.
Because the ice surface consumes most available square footage, visiting players often stretch in hallways or use adjacent rooms converted into makeshift gyms. NHL teams rely on their trainers and portable resistance equipment to stay ready between games.
6. Comparison Table: Visiting Team Workout Facilities by Sport
| Feature | NFL | NBA | NHL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Training Focus | Strength, power, recovery | Mobility, agility, endurance | Warm-up, recovery, flexibility |
| Typical Space Size | Large (dedicated auxiliary gym) | Moderate (practice court or small gym) | Small (converted room near locker) |
| Dumbbell Range | 5–120 lbs | 5–80 lbs | 5–100 lbs |
| Barbells & Racks | 1–3 racks, full plates | Often none or 1 portable rack | Rare; rely on cables |
| Cardio Machines | Bikes, treadmills, ellipticals | Bikes, treadmills | Primarily bikes |
| Portable Resistance Gear | Bands, sleds, ropes | Bands, medicine balls | ANCORE Pro or Keiser portable cables |
| Hydrotherapy Access | Common (ice / hot tubs) | Limited (shared recovery room) | Common (ice baths, cold tubs) |
| Warm-up Location | Field-side or auxiliary gym | Court or practice gym | Hallway or adjacent room |
| Typical Staff Access | Full medical and training staff | 1–2 trainers, massage staff | 1 trainer, equipment manager |
| Travel Strategy | Bring own portable gym & recovery gear | Use hotel or practice-gym workouts | Carry resistance units and therapy kits |
7. Why Facilities Differ by Sport
The variance comes down to logistics and physical demand.
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NFL players need full-body strength work, so stadiums invest in larger gyms and recovery pools.
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NBA players prioritize mobility and shooting rhythm, so lighter gyms and court access matter most.
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NHL players train in cold environments with space restrictions, so they emphasize stretching and quick activation over heavy lifting.
Budget and venue age also influence quality. New stadiums like Allegiant Stadium or Chase Center provide modern visitor areas, while older arenas—especially in the NHL—can feel cramped and outdated.
8. Preparation Tips for Visiting Teams
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Confirm the facility list early. Ask the host operations team for details on available weights, machines, and recovery spaces.
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Bring portable gear. Pack resistance bands, rollers, and compact dumbbells or pulley units.
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Plan recovery sessions off-site. If hydrotherapy isn’t available, use hotel tubs or mobile cryo units.
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Coordinate unloading early. NFL and NHL crews often stage equipment hours before arrival.
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Adapt workouts. Focus on dynamic body-weight or band movements if space is limited.
9. Key Takeaways
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Every league mandates a minimum standard for visiting locker rooms and workout spaces, but amenities vary widely.
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NFL stadiums offer the most complete visiting strength setups, followed by NBA arenas, while NHL arenas often have the smallest gyms.
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Portable resistance equipment like the ANCORE Pro has become a game-changer, especially for hockey teams.
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Visiting teams that plan ahead and bring flexible, space-efficient tools can maintain their performance on the road.
Conclusion
When it comes to training on the road, visiting teams can’t always count on luxury—but they can count on the basics. Most stadiums provide enough gear to stretch, activate, and recover before and after competition. From heavy dumbbells in NFL locker rooms to compact resistance systems in NHL arenas and versatile mobility spaces in NBA facilities, athletes have the tools they need to stay ready.
Preparation, adaptability, and good coordination with the home operations staff make the difference between surviving travel and performing at peak level.