What Gear Do I Need For Weight Training

Whether you plan to go to the gym or want to lift weights at home, you need the necessary gear for it. You don’t want to embarrass or injure yourself while lifting heavy kettlebells and barbells. Let’s check out the necessary gear needed for weight training:

Clothes

The first thing that comes to mind for weight training gear is clothes. Without the right clothes, you may not be able to maintain proper form or end up getting more tired. Here’s what you need:

 

1. Squat Shorts - For squats you want shorts that have a short inseam, preferably around 5 to 7 inches. Moreover, your shorts should have a stretchable material at the crotch area so that your squats don’t get too tight when you are at the lowest position during your squats.

 

2. Grippy Top – Certain brands usually make tops out of stretchy materials to accommodate for the large muscles on weight lifters. However, those T-shirts are made from slick and slippery polyester fabric that isn’t ideal for weight training. When you bench press with heavy barbells, you want to keep your shoulders stuck to the bench. T-shirts with rough texture help you maintain that form while slick fabric works against it.

 

3. Joggers - If you live way up north where cold is a constant companion, shorts may not be the ideal garment. Instead, a trusted pair of joggers should do the trick. They are perfect for any form of sports or workout and the same holds for weight training.

 

4. Lifting shoes - When you lift heavy barbells, you don’t want soft and flexible running shoes on your feet. They can buckle from the weight imbalance and lead to injuries. Instead, opt for shoes that have a flat bottom and allow you to stick to the ground with stability.

Serious Gear

Once you get serious about weight training, you need these gears to be safe and efficient in your workout:

 

1. Lifting chalk - Whether you lift dumbbells, barbells, or kettlebells, lifting chalk helps you dry the sweat on your palm and enhances your grip with the metal surface. The material is inexpensive and easy to maintain. They can be very helpful to avoid dangerous situations where you injure yourself or someone else due to slip-ups.

 

2. Lifting Straps - Your hand is limited by its own strength. Lifting straps can help you lift more weight so that you can have increased tension and better strength gains. They are made out of thick and tough leather and are wrapped around your wrists and strap around the barbell. This helps you to lock the barbells to your hands. So, even if you have a weak group that is insufficient for challenging deadlifts, lifting straps helps you get around that issue.

 

3. Lifting Gloves - Human skin may be tough, but not enough to withstand high tension from weights. When you regularly lift heavy weights and come in contact with hard and heavy metal, you can build tears or calluses on your palm. Moreover, your skin wrinkles up and is pressed down by the weight of barbells or dumbbells and that can translate into a world of pain. Lifting gloves are padded gloves that are fingerless and make it easier for you to hold the weights and maintain a strong grip on them throughout the workout session.

 

4. Weight Belt - Your lower back goes through a lot of stress during deadlifts and squats. If you lift heavy weights and aren’t able to maintain proper form during those exercises you risk permanent back injuries. A weight belt helps you avoid that scenario. It supports your lower back by wrapping around your hips and rib cage. Make sure that the belt is strapped tight enough so that you can’t slide your hands between the belt and your stomach. Buy a belt that is made from thick and tough materials and has proper padding on the inner side to not leave any rashes.

 

5. Barbell Pad - You may be judged due to the awkward shape of the pad and the way it wraps around the barbell, but your safety is above all public judgments. Despite the way they look, barbell pads can be really effective in protecting your upper back. If you use them during your hip thrusts, they can also protect your hips.

 

6. Wrist wraps - Your joints are some of the weakest parts of your body. You don’t want the joints at your wrist to collapse and get injured during heavy bench presses. Wrist wraps provide you the added support to avoid that situation.