My Essential Gym Gear – Requested Post
Posted at 20:09 in Training
I received a request via my facebook page today, asking if I would consider writing a blog post about my gym essentials – workout clothes, which shoes I wear, what my thoughts were on gloves, etc.
I thought this was a great idea for a post as when I first started going to the gym, I remember feeling so nervous about what I should or shouldn’t wear, would people think I was a weirdo for carrying a notebook, should I wear sleeves or no sleeves?
So here is my essential gym kit.
First things first, you need something to carry it all in. Now as I walk to the gym most of the time (which is around 25 minutes each way) I need something practical. I’ve tried many different bags, some sporty, some stylish but I always come back to the same kind – a rucksack. When walking with a lot of gym kit, it’s important to distribute the weight evenly throughout the body so that you aren’t putting undue stress on one shoulder/arm. Therefore, a rucksack is the perfect gym bag.
My favourite gym clothes are fitted but flexible. I don’t spend money on specialist exercise clothes as I don’t feel the need. Back when I was running, I obviously invested in proper running shoes, breathable clothing that drew the sweat away from the body and compression socks. However, as my exercise regime consists of just weight lifting and the occasional hill walk on the treadmill, I don’t need to make such an investment.
I have 4 pairs of gym trousers, 3 of which are identical. They all came from TU clothing at Sainsbury and they are the only gym trousers I will consider buying now. They are fantastic value for money, fit amazingly well, are comfortable and look really good. The fabric is also quite thick, which is essential when in the gym as the last thing you want is guys visualising your butt crack as you squat! I always opt for bootcut trousers with a long leg…
For the top half, I absolutely LOVE halter tops. The single most important reason for this is because the bar sits better against my skin for squats rather than against the fabric of a t-shirt. Not only do they seem to contain “the twins” well, they also make my upper body look hawt! As my exercise regime includes no impact (and therefore no bouncing!) I don’t feel the need to wear a sports bra. I’ve found a well supported halter bikini top, along with the hidden support in the halter top itself, is plenty enough to hold the girls in place.
Though not essential in the slightest, I love to wear a cute pair of character socks in the gym. Most of the time, nobody can even see them but when my trousers ride up when I’m on the leg press, they make me smile :D
The most important piece of gym wear is my shoes. The wrong shoes can create real problems for you in the gym, especially if you squat and deadlift. Foot wear is not so important on upper body days and as I often do some high incline walking after training upper body, I tend to wear my Nike Lunarglide running shoes (you can see them in the picture above) as they support my feet well. However, on lower body training days, I couldn’t do it without my favourite workout shoes…
My Converse! When performing squats and deadlifts, it’s important to have a firm, sturdy footing which regular trainers or running shoes do not give. They have too much cushioning and support in the heel, which doesn’t allow a stable enough base when you have a lot of weight on your back. Though I’ve never tried proper weight lifting shoes (these tend to have a raised heel), I wouldn’t be averse to doing so. At the moment though, my Chuck Taylors do the job just fine.
As I take a selection of things into the gym with me, I like to carry a smaller, drawstring bag just to keep everything together. Mine was a freebie from a previous race for life event and it’s perfect to carry around the gym…
Inside, I keep my other gym essentials. My old mobile phone (which has a wicked camera) for training pictures and videos. I also chuck my locker key in here. It also holds my holy grail – my gym notebook…
A notebook is such an important thing to have with you in the gym. I write out my program before I hit the gym and the weights/reps I hope to achieve. Sometimes, depending on how strong (or weak!) I feel, I might make an adjustment. Once I’ve finished each exercise, I will add a (+) or (=) sign at the side to indicate whether the weight should increase or stay the same next time.
I also carry my liquid chalk…
Without my chalk, I couldn’t manage to do my deadlifts or chins. In the past, I have experimented with gym gloves but in all honesty, I don’t feel they serve any benefit whatsoever. They add unnecessary width to the bar, actually making it more difficult to grip and they don’t completely prevent callouses. Chalk will give you amazing grip without adding that extra width to the bar. Yes, you may get callouses but I embrace mine, they make me feel badass. However, if you really don’t like or want them, then you should maybe think about working on your grip…
I don’t use lifting straps and I don’t use a lifting belt as, at this moment in time, I don’t feel the need to. With straps, I prefer to work on my grip strength as I don’t want my grip to be the limiting factor in my lifts. I don’t use a belt as I don’t think I’m lifting heavily enough to need one yet. I’m sure the time will come when I do but right now, I’m managing fine without.
And that is my essential gym kit. Share your own “gym essentials” in the comments section :-)
I stopped wearing gloves this year and I’ve noticed no difference in the state of my hands whatsoever. As long as I moisturise my hands daily (which I do at bedtime) then my hands tend to stay in pretty good condition. Plus, like you say, what’s a few callouses? It shows I’ve bloody earned them in the gym!
So, from that, I guess my essential would be Soap & Glory Hand Food. :)
Oh my goodness, I adore S&G hand food, it’s so lush! I moisturise my hands several times a day, habit I guess. I carry a little tube of handcream in my scrubs at work and rub it in through the day. Keeps them silky smooth, around the callouses of course :D
That is interesting about the chalk- I find that at pump sometimes it is my wrists that struggle ( on the biceps track for example) and I feel like if I could strap the bar to my arms I could have a heavier weight, but then I suppose it is my wrists that need to get stronger.
Love the cute socks too!
I think my essential is a water bottle- I only go to a class or two, but I always take water with me.
Have you tried lifting straps Maria? If it’s your wrist strength then using wraps might help.
Water is essential too, but I carry water with me everywhere so didn’t think to include it :D
You forgot most important of all, headphones!
I mentally mercilessly mock and slaughter anyone wearing gloves at the gym in my head. My prime target being a guy I see heading into bodycombat or similar wearing them. Yes, it’s wrong to judge, but I just need to point and laugh at him.
Anyway, I don’t ahve a gym membership anymore anyway. Home training for me!
Once upon a time, my iPod would have been top of the list! But, now I train with my boyfriend, neither of us listens to music as we motivate and encourage each other and we couldn’t do that with music. However, sometimes, especially if going for a new 1RM, I take it with me as it just gives me a mental boost. I also use it if I’m doing cardio, which is only once a week.
I never got why people wore wrist wraps or gloves for a combat class – it’s not like there is any impact that requires them. I secretly judge them too ;)
What’s your home set up like?
It consists of two pieces of equipment only, a custom made 8ft tall pullup station and a football
Everything is done with bodyweight. Pullup bar for pullups and leg raises, and in the near future, muscle ups.
The football is used for uneven pressups and assistance to get to pistol squats.
Lots of handstand pressups and bridges also.
All done in line with Paul Wade’s book – Convict Conditioning.
I’m stronger than when I was at the gym, so the £35 a month stays in my pocket now!
That sounds fantastic and sounds like you’re making some awesome progress!
Great post! I wear my converses to the gym lots too, I worse my running trainers to go to my first crossfit class as I thought we might be doing some running, but have switched back to my regular converses. Thinking of getting some vibrams though, my converses are getting wrecked, and they are one of my favourite pairs of shoes!
I couldn’t train in anything other than converse now, they are so perfect for squats & deads. Would love to try some Vibrams too!
Great post and really helpful. You know what’s missing though, Headphones! The best workouts are always when you have great music to listen to. For some great workout songs head to: http://www.idealmagazine.co.uk/top-10-workout-songs/
Your pair of socks are CUTE ;)
I usually wear shorts, t-shirt, sports shoes, hand towel.. That’s it :)
Nice one keep it up!
You are going well and you are looking well now your muscles is nice i really like it.
Regards,
Nice muscles!!!! well done.
Andy (from BISMA).