Gym Gear and Accessories
Everyone likes to treat themselves to something nice once in a while and gym gear and accessories are some of the best items to splurge on. Not only can buying gym goodies be fun and rewarding but it can also be very motivational.
Buying articles of clothing, shoes or a small piece of equipment can motivate you to maintain your routine that you may have been struggling to find motivation for.
Some accessories are specially designed to track and help boost your performance during your routine. A heart rate tracker can help keep you in the fat-burning zone, or proper weightlifting shoes can improve your form and help you lift safer, and with better form.
Whatever it may be that you have your eyes set on, don't discount the effect these small items may have on your routine. Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest differences.
Most Useful Accessories
There are an innumerable number of accessories meant for fitness on the market, which can make it difficult to find the pieces that make the biggest difference. Let's cover some of the most important and practical accessories you will come across on your fitness journey.
Fitness Trackers
Fitness tracker is a great investment for measuring data such as speed, distance, heart rate, and more.
The information gathered from the tracker can help you better understand your progress and adjust your routine to fit your goals.
When you know exactly what it takes to hit certain heart rates, it can streamline and simplify your workout without the worry of "did I do enough?"
Fitbit Charge 5
Best For Staying Active Throughout The Day
The Charge 5 is Fitbits newest model of fitness tracker, and they have only improved on the design.
The Charge 5 sensor is now not only capable of tracking your heartrate, but also your stress levels aswell. You will recieve notifications when your heartrate is above your estimated threshold and stress notifications recomending you to take breaks to clear your mind.
The sleep tracker reads your heart rate variability and breathing range, aswell as logging your sleep so you can see common trends and optimize your rest. For those who like to run or go on walks, their is a route tracker with a built in GPS that will keep your time and average pace and heart rate throughout your exercise.
Fitbit also offers a membership that gives you access to many audio guided exercises and breathing exercises.
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Cons
Shoes
Finding the right shoe for your workout is essential.
No matter what type of exercise you are doing, the wrong shoes can throw off your form and cause injury.
Different shoes offer different benefits such as cushioning, stability, and support.
For example, a running shoe may provide more cushion whereas a weightlifting shoe may have better support for deadlifting and squats.
Powerlift 5 - Weightlifting Shoes
Solid Across-The-Board For Heavy Compound Movements
This weighlifting shoe is a lightweight comfortable option that sports a combination of laces and velcro strap to ensure you will be securely planted through any heavy exercise.
The breathable mesh reduces excessive sweat and is made from 50% recycled materials.
A midsole wedge is what makes this shoe. the stability through strenuous exercise increases capacity and reduces chance of injury.
Overall, this is a great option for squating, overhead movements, and Olympic movements of course.
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Lifting Belts
Similar to lifting straps, a lifting belt can provide extra support for heavy lifts such as squats or deadlifts. The belt provides some extra stability and helps with injury prevention from excessive strain on your lower back.
When it comes to weight training, having a good lifting belt is essential in helping you reach your goals without any unnecessary injuries.
Rogue Ohio Lifting Belt
High Quality American Leather
For maximum core stability in heavy compound movements like deadlift and squat, a belt is what you need. It not only increases your 1 rep max, it also keeps your back safe and is proven to increase max repetitions in a set at least in the deadlift.
Rogue's ohio lifting belt is handcrafted in America using 10mm thick, 4'' wide vegetable tanned leather. It's fitted with an easy to adjust buckle and comes in a variety of different sizes.
This belt is sure to last your lifting career, and possibly help to lengthen it by keeping your lower back safer then it would be otherwise.
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Convenient Accessories
There are many different pieces of gear that can greatly improve your training experience.
Wrist straps for example, give you the ability to greatly increase resistance and repetitions to your exercise while giving the added benefit of protecting your hands.
If your mobility has much to be desired and you don't want to spring for some decent squat shoes, squat wedges can do wonders to make you not hate leg day.
Everybody hates unloading a barbell after a heavy deadlift session. With some good deadlift blocks, it makes your job far easier while your out of gas.
These gym accessories are great for freeing up enegy to give your workouts a little boost. They are not a necessity, but are definetly a welcome addition for any fitness enthusiast.
Jerkfit Raw Grips 3.0
Synergee Squat Wedge
Titan Fitness
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Fitness Accessories and Motivation
No, accessories are not mandatory for a good workout, but motivation is. The biggest problem that most people will run into when exercising is motivation and consistency. It can be hard to find the time, let alone the motivation to exercise.
This is why it is important to maintain your drive and determination through whatever means you can. Buying gadgets, clothing, shoes and accessories meant for fitness can help motivate a person to continue or to get started with fitness.
The motivation can come from the guilt of spending money and therefore having to use it, or from the excitement of a new toy and wanting to put it to use.
Regardless of how you get motivated, consistency is key, so if spending that 100$ on new weightlifting shoes will keep you motivated to keep squatting then consider it money well spent on your well-being.
Fitness is a long and difficult journey in which we all find difficulties. It is our responsibility to motivate and push ourselves and buying gym accessories can be a small part of finding the drive to get to the next workout.
So next time you are sitting pondering if you should splurge on some fitness gear, consider if it will help motivate you to reach your goals and take your decision from there.
