New to the gym or not, you’ve probably seen the wide variety of weight lifting accessories that people use at the gym. You may be wondering if you could benefit from any of the equipment you see. Keep reading to learn about the five main lifting accessories that you may benefit from using at the gym.
Chalk
Chalk is a less popular accessory, especially if you are accustomed to larger box gyms (certain locations will have it banned due to potential mess). However chalk is a fantastic accessory to add to your weight lifting regimen to improve grip strength and prevent skin tears. Typically it is only needed for lifting extremely heavy weights such as deadlifting and other powerlifting exercises, but also has a place with bodyweight activities like chin ups.
Wrist Wraps
When necessary, wrist wraps should only be worn during heavy pressing exercises like bench press or overhead press. These exercises can put your wrist into a vulnerable position where you can overextend it, leading to injury. A wrist wrap will provide support around the joint to keep it in position and minimize the risk of injury.
Knee Sleeves
Knee wraps or sleeves that are designed for the purpose of weightlifting are typically used for powerlifting, specifically, as they help brace and support the knee for the heavy load that will be coming down on them. However, it is not uncommon for casual gym goers to use them. Now with that being said, knee sleeves should only be used as extra support and not as a quick fix to knee pain. If you are experiencing knee pain during any fitness related activities, check in with your coach to check proper form and body mechanics.
Wrist Straps
Much like chalk, lifting straps are used to aid with grip strength. They are usually needed with any form of heavy pulling exercises such as deadlifts or dumbbell rows. Straps can also be used to aid with exercises such as front squats when the wrist flexibility isn’t where it should be. (For more information on that make sure to check out our instagram page for lifting strap tutorials).
Lifting Belt
This is arguably the biggest weightlifting accessory out there and perhaps the most controversial. Do you need one? When to use it, when not to use it? First off if you are a beginner at the gym with any sort of back pain, the belt is not a quick fix item. In fact, trying to do certain exercises with any form of unchecked back discomfort can lead to serious injuries. Also, there is no need for a lifting belt of any sorts for isolation exercises such as bicep curls and leg extensions unless specifically prescribed by a trainer. Belts are most commonly used for heavy loaded full body compound exercises such as the deadlift, barbel back squats, and overhead press movements.
