Next Level Accessories

Hi everyone! Welcome back if you have been following along to this series, and if you're new, then thanks for stopping by!

This week's post is focused on accessories that truly make your lift and time in the gym better.

The first accessory is one that should be used by everyone. A designated gym bag! Whether you're just getting started in the gym or a vet, this is a necessity. You can use something as small as a crossbody pack or something bigger like a backpack or duffle bag.

Personally, for most days I carry a crossbody pack in the gym, but for longer lifts I'll bring a backpack.

So now that you have your bag to bring, what goes in it is the next step.

I recommend buying a pair of lifting straps. These are great for when your lifting strength is more than your grip strength (which it should be for most things). What kind you get is personal preference, but I prefer figure 8 straps.

The next item would have to be my headphones. I like to keep these in my bag so that I never forget them or have to worry about leaving the case around the gym.

The next two items are for individuals who are slightly more advanced in lifting. They are an ankle strap and a barbell pad.

Ankle straps are great for doing glue kickbacks on a cable machine. However, some gyms have this as an individual machine, so the strap isn't necessary.

A barbell pad is a foot-long 'pool noodle'-like pad that goes on the barbell. It sits in the center and simply provides cushion from the bar. Many people use this for barbell hip thrusts, and some even use it when squatting to cushion their upper back. I do enjoy using these pads for hip thrusts, but I don't necessarily recommend them for squatting, as it makes it much harder to 'break the bar' on your shoulders.

The last thing that you NEED for the gym is a fluid source. Generally, you should carry a large water bottle plus something else. Personally, I do not take pre-workout of any kind, so I bring water and a sugar-free Red Bull to all of my lift sessions.

Fueling yourself during your workout is very important, so don't be afraid to also pack a quick energy source snack such as a bar or on-the-go applesauce.

That's it for this week! Thank you for following along, and hopefully you now have a fully stocked and ready to use gym bag!

See you next week for a wrap-up of important aspects and topics in the gym!