While training unassisted (i.e., without any special gym gear) may work for you, you may need to use certain gym accessories and clothing for men who lift if you want to keep making gains. After all, the heavier you go, the trickier it gets to perform each rep perfectly. It also gets harder to progress. Read on to learn about the top 7 things you should consider adding to your list of must-have workout gear!
Essential Gym Gear and Workout Clothes for Men Who Lift
1. Weightlifting Belt
A must-have for anyone who trains heavy, lifting belts can not only help you only produce more force, but also protect you from back injuries. They do the former by promoting better form and forcing the correct muscle groups to work during a lift. They do the latter, on the other hand, by increasing intra-abdominal pressure as you perform each rep, ultimately stabilizing your spine and minimizing the amount of stress it is exposed to.
2. Weightlifting Shoes
Unlike running shoes designed to reduce the impact of each step using cushioning, weightlifting shoes are meant to do the exact opposite. They have zero padding, allowing you to use as much of the force you create by pushing off the ground to move heavier weights. They also have raised heels to promote proper form and a better range of motion when squatting.
3. Wrist Wraps
Simply put, these wraps allow you to lift more weight than your wrists could handle unsupported. They provide you with an opportunity to really overload your muscles without worrying about your wrists giving out while you lift.
4. Weightlifting Gloves
Despite some hardcore lifters viewing weightlifting gloves as a tool for the weak, they can actually help you perform better in the gym. Aside from protecting your hands from cuts—which can force you to take a break from training—they also act as a great alternative to chalk, helping you keep a solid grip on the weights as you train without creating a mess.
5. Knee Wraps
Think of these as wrist wraps for your knees. They allow you to squat heavier while minimizing your risk for injury. They work by minimizing the amount of stress the quadriceps are exposed to as you perform each rep.
6. Bench Press Shirt
A bench press shirt is a stiff top designed to compress the pectorals and deltoids, allowing the lifter to move more weight. It’s perfect for professional athletes looking to improve their PR. It’s so effective, in fact, it allowed competitive powerlifter, Scot Mendelson, to push his bench numbers up from 715 lbs. to a whopping 1,030 lbs.
7. Compression Garments
Aside from proper supplementation, compression garments may also help improve your athletic performance and speed up your post-workout recovery. They do this by not only keeping your muscles warm during training but also by directing more blood to them, ultimately minimizing your risk for injury and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). While more conclusive evidence is needed to verify these claims, a lot of athletes—both amateur and professional—swear by their compression gear.
Watch our video below to learn how you can improve your mobility for better athletic performance:
Even though these gym accessories and bodybuilding workout clothes for men who lift are not 100% necessary, they can surely help you train harder and do so with better form. If you want to make real progress, that’s the way to do it. Give this bodybuilding gear a shot and take your training to a whole new level!
Got anything to add to our list? Post them in the comments section below!
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