Have you ever used gym accessories to help you maximize your workout routine? Sure, you can work out in your backyard with just your bodyweight and a bottle of ice water, but why limit yourself? The following gym accessories are actually not just for the gym — you can use them anywhere! They won’t only make your workout easier, but they’ll boost the effects of your workout as well.
Gym Accessories You Can Add to Your Workout Routine
1. A Set of Dumbbell Weights
When it comes to what will make the biggest impact on your workout, if you’re not using machines or other fitness equipment, dumbbell weights are your new best friend.
Women should start with a pair of 5 to 10-pound dumbbells, while men should begin with a pair of 10 to 15-pound dumbbells. Some exercises will be easier so you might want to have a few pairs handy to prepare you for some weight changes when you’re ready.
Even if you belong to a gym, it’s a good idea to have a set of dumbbells at home. It’s better to do a makeup workout at home than to completely miss a day of exercise.
2. Water Bottle
While you work out, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Drinking water consistently will make your after workout feels less achy and painful, and drinking water during your training can also help you keep going for longer.
Look for a BPA-free water bottle that won’t leak. It must have ample insulation to keep your water cool even on a hot day. Finally, look for one with an easy-to-drink-from nozzle as well.
3. Wireless Headphones
You’d be surprised at how much harder you’ll work when you’ve got great tunes backing you up. This means more calories burned, more weight lifted, and more muscles built.
But if you exercise at a gym, you might not like the tracks the facility is playing. For this reason, many people listen to music on their phones with headphones. Still, who wants that cord flailing all over and messing up your focus?
Enter: Wireless headphones.
For a price, your wireless headphones will provide you with the same great sound as your normal headphones. You can leave your phone in your pocket or even up to 20 or more feet away.
4. Armband Phone Case
Don’t have the budget for a set of good wireless headphones? Not to worry. You can achieve the same cord-free workout by purchasing an armband phone case.
First, insert your phone or mp3 player into the secure case. Next, strap it onto your upper arm. Finally, insert your headphones into your phone jack and feed the headphones through your shirt before putting them into your ears. The best cases allow you to navigate even through the clear protective window. Some cases even have a place for your house or car key.
5. Lifting Gloves
These are available and recommended for both men and women. And no, you don’t have to be a professional body builder to wear them.
Whenever lifting weights or using gym equipment, you’ll get a lot of friction and sweat build-up on your hands. This can cause terrible callouses, which can be painful over time. Plus … who wants callouses on their hands!? After all, they’re not very becoming.
Fortunately, fitness doesn’t have to equal pain (or nasty-looking blisters). With ventilated, fingerless gloves, you’ll be able to reduce friction while maintaining a great grip on your weights.
6. Workout Mat
People call these “yoga mats,” but they’re not just for yoga! Many bodyweight exercises and other moves require getting on the floor, laying on the floor, bending to the floor, kneeling on the floor, or otherwise dealing with the floor! And if you’ve got hard tile or wood or uneven grass as your floor, you’ll want something a little more comfortable to exercise on.
Workout mats keep you more comfortable and cleaner. Plus, they’re better for your joints when jumping, lunging, or planking.
7. Stability Cushion
Core work must be a focus of any exercise routine. To make your core workout easier and to vary up bodyweight core exercises (pushups, planks, and sit-ups, for example), try using a stability or abdominal cushion.
These wobbly cushions can be used for various balance exercises that force you to use your core so you don’t topple over. For example, you can lift your legs and arms up and try to stabilize yourself with just your bottom on the cushion for 30 seconds or more. Some people use these cushions on their work chairs as well. This way, they can induce a passive core exercise while working at your desk.
8. Heart Rate Monitors
Another one of the gym accessories you’ll want to try helps to keep you safe as well. Heart rate monitors take your pulse while you exercise. They’re best for those who like doing a lot of cardio work. If you have some issues with your heartbeat, this equipment will help you monitor your health.
The best and most accurate heart rate monitors come in two parts. The first part is worn around the chest to monitor your heartbeat while you exercise. The second part of the monitor is worn as a wristband and puts out a reading of the chest band.
As you exercise, your wristband will tell you how many bps (beats per second) your heart is beating as well as how many calories you’re burning. These can be great devices for people who want to lose weight and are using exercise to burn calories and create a calorie deficit. Runners, rowers, and swimmers can also greatly benefit from heart rate monitors.
9. Great Workout Shoes
Depending on what exercises you’ll be doing, having a quality pair of gym shoes can make a huge difference. Generally speaking, you’ll want to pay more attention to your shoes if you’ll be doing a lot of cardio (running, jogging, or doing jumping exercises, for example).
But even if you’ll only be doing standing exercises like squats, lunges, or planks, having a comfortable pair of shoes is important.
Look for a pair that offers ample support (especially in the arch area), a wide toe box, a thin heel, and at least a few centimeters of extra room above the toes. You’ll also want a material that breathes well and make sure that you try on your shoes with the type of socks you plan to wear.
10. Workout Clothes
Finally, just as you’ll need an excellent pair of exercise shoes, you’ll want some quality exercise clothing, too. Fitness clothing must be comfortable and made of breathable materials.
You’ll also want to look for fairly form-fitting clothing, depending on what you’re doing. For example, if you’ll be doing yoga or floor exercises, you might want to make sure you have leggings that won’t expose yourself as you contort and stretch. Choose a t-shirt or tank you can tuck in to.
If you’ll be exercising on a treadmill or with other fitness equipment, don’t choose a top or pants that are too big or billowy. Larger clothing can get in the way in these instances and may even pose a danger as they may get caught in the machinery.
Many people resolve to work out more often, get in better shape, lose weight, or build muscle. If you’re one of these people, consider that the lack of right equipment may be holding you back from achieving your exercise goals. Try these 10 gym accessories on for size and see what they can do for you. You won’t regret investing in your fitness dreams!
Which ones do you already have and which ones do you want to get for your next session? Let us know in the comments section below!
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