Training Accessories

Hi Guys

I am going to start training with weights for the first time in my life. Bodybuilding.com carries on quite a lot about getting the right accessories for the job. For example getting wrist straps to avoid joint problems, getting gloves to protect your hands, etc.

What are your opinions on this?
Where would be a good place to buy these things and what are top brands to watch out for?

I wouldn't start with anything to be honest.. A lot of those things can/will neutralize your bodies ability to strengthen some areas, i.e. your wrists.. Rather do it without anything first, just my opinion.. I use a belt and wraps and that's it, for heavy lifts.. If you just started, focus on the form..

Some gloves will do.

Ha ha and a towel xD

Don't forget your patience and dedication. Have fun.

Starting completely raw will be the best thing for your strength and development.

DC EVO wrote: Starting completely raw will be the best thing for your strength and development.

True bud! I tried some advice you handed out on a tread the other day and took off the glove on my back session and adjusted my grip (less palm more fingers) my forearms had a good workout because of that and to me that means better grip. Thanx for the advice

Pleasure bud.

The stronger your grip, the stronger you'll be. Period.

Grip strength is many peoples weakest link and gloves, hooks and straps will hinder that strength.

DC EVO wrote: Pleasure bud.

The stronger your grip, the stronger you'll be. Period.

Grip strength is many peoples weakest link and gloves, hooks and straps will hinder that strength.

Sorry for the hi-jack pyro. But you could definatly try this aswell. Specially that you are only starting off your hands might hurt a bit but you'll get used to it. And if your grip is right it would help aswell. I still use gloves on some exercises like with curls as the fricion is quiet bad woth that.

I took my straps the otherday and wrapped them around the dumbell handles to make the handle thicker.... geez like what a forearm killer, it freakin murdered me could barely hold on to the dumbells by my last set.

Kkkyle wrote: I took my straps the otherday and wrapped them around the dumbell handles to make the handle thicker.... geez like what a forearm killer, it freakin murdered me could barely hold on to the dumbells by my last set.

Hence the use of the Olympic bar over the normal bar, to do BB curls and Rows

iPod is also a good investment

as long as there's no upper arm attachment...

Waldu wrote:

DC EVO wrote: Pleasure bud.

The stronger your grip, the stronger you'll be. Period.

Grip strength is many peoples weakest link and gloves, hooks and straps will hinder that strength.

Sorry for the hi-jack pyro. But you could definatly try this aswell. Specially that you are only starting off your hands might hurt a bit but you'll get used to it. And if your grip is right it would help aswell. I still use gloves on some exercises like with curls as the fricion is quiet bad woth that.

No worries Waldu. I will just hijack one of your threads in the future. Hehe
So guys my thoughts are to buy gloves to protect my hands and pretty much just focus on doing everything right for now. A mate of mine told me Dischem sell cheap gloves that are pretty good. Where is a leke place to buy gloves and what make? I want quality.

Pyroclasm wrote:

Waldu wrote:

DC EVO wrote: Pleasure bud.

The stronger your grip, the stronger you'll be. Period.

Grip strength is many peoples weakest link and gloves, hooks and straps will hinder that strength.

Sorry for the hi-jack pyro. But you could definatly try this aswell. Specially that you are only starting off your hands might hurt a bit but you'll get used to it. And if your grip is right it would help aswell. I still use gloves on some exercises like with curls as the fricion is quiet bad woth that.

No worries Waldu. I will just hijack one of your threads in the future. Hehe
So guys my thoughts are to buy gloves to protect my hands and pretty much just focus on doing everything right for now. A mate of mine told me Dischem sell cheap gloves that are pretty good. Where is a leke place to buy gloves and what make? I want quality.

Don't get your gloves from Mr Price sport - they have an annoying wrist straps attached designed to fit young girls. I cut mine off!

Brands are not a big thing if you looking for quality go for real leater, not that pleather crap. Look at nutrition shops, you'll find a few types there. Its not really that complicated. The best advice I can give is to get something that's comfortable for you. Fit them on before you run off.

Pyroclasm wrote:

Waldu wrote:

DC EVO wrote: Pleasure bud.

The stronger your grip, the stronger you'll be. Period.

Grip strength is many peoples weakest link and gloves, hooks and straps will hinder that strength.

Sorry for the hi-jack pyro. But you could definatly try this aswell. Specially that you are only starting off your hands might hurt a bit but you'll get used to it. And if your grip is right it would help aswell. I still use gloves on some exercises like with curls as the fricion is quiet bad woth that.

No worries Waldu. I will just hijack one of your threads in the future. Hehe
So guys my thoughts are to buy gloves to protect my hands and pretty much just focus on doing everything right for now. A mate of mine told me Dischem sell cheap gloves that are pretty good. Where is a leke place to buy gloves and what make? I want quality.

I dont understand the mentality of wanting to get stronger but "oh no my hands might get sore". Seeing as you haven't really done any training before, your hands will adapt just as the rest of your body will. Man up!

I did'nt want to start a new topic so thought let me just jump on the band wagon .

Where do you guys prefer to buy your work out clothes from ?

The MR Price sport stuff and Sportman warehouse products seem to literally disintegrate after a month or two, or is that just my bad luck ?

Just on the glove topic, get a decent pair, rather fork out a little more cash as gloves tend to get ruined really quick with heavy training! I also feel when you are doing heavy lifts get straps because then you will be able to focus more on the excercise (like deadlifts and bent over rows) and worry less about your sore hands losing grip and becoming weak mid-way through your set. If straps are used correctly i feel they are very benificial. And as the motto goes, getting that one last rep can make the world of difference! Your fingers and wrists tend to get drained of power more quickly and will affect your training. If you are worried about your wrist and finger strength, im sure you will be able to find some excercises for those parts. lmao

I trained from the start always with gloves (those usn leather ones with the white logo) literally laster an entire year, they get worn out after awhile and as soon as the foam inbetween the layers start breaking apart you'll get some crazy pain so best to dump them...

I havent bought new gloves since, went the no gloves route and have noticed a massive difference in arm/grip strength. Dont think i will ever go back to gloves route or even wrist straps, spoke to one of the older presumably ex pro builders and he said the wrist straps lead to problems in your wrists eventually, think about it as your other muscles get stronger and handle more weight your forearms stay behind as they arnt holding and keeping that incredibly tight grip on the dumbbell.

Wrist straos in my limited capacity and experience i wont recommend, a decent pair of comfortable takkies/running shoes with good arch support(im flat footed) and my favorite by far a good playlist with senhzzer cx300ii in ear earphones will make all the difference. Also a good in routin workout bottle preferably one of those squishy type usn or pvm types ive broken a few bottles by accidently dropping a wight on them or stepping on it and the hard plastics break really easily the softer squishy ones will last a long time Dump them when they discolour

Other than that a reverse grip on any bar can easily fix the no grip on bars when doing deadlifts etc and if your hands sweat alot i see some guys using chalk powder although ive never tried it, just dry your hands off with your towel snd clean the grip surface

Happy training

Hey bro shot for the help. Agree with you on the bottles I have broken about 3 of the hard plastic ones in the gym from them jumping off of benches Hey bro shot for the help. Agree with you on the bottles I have broken about 3 of the hard plastic ones in the gym from them jumping off of benches :blink: I Definately agree with you about not developing your muscles properly when using straps and stuff. I only use gloves for flat bench and incline bench. The rest I find quite manageable and I actually have a much better grip without the gloves which in essence means I can lift more.

Hey bro shot for the help. Agree with you on the bottles I have broken about 3 of the hard plastic ones in the gym from them jumping off of benches :blink: I Definately agree with you about not developing your muscles properly when using straps and stuff. I only use gloves for flat bench and incline bench. The rest I find quite manageable and I actually have a much better grip without the gloves which in essence means I can lift more.