Gym Accessories to Immediately Improve Your Workouts
Many gym members prefer to store stuff in lockers versus looking for somewhere to stash it at every exercise machine. It prevents anxiety from hoping to remember everything before moving to the next station, allowing you to focus more on your workout. Jewelry can fall into unreachable areas inside exercise equipment. Phones and other everyday carry can fall out of the pocket during leg-raised positions or be forgotten in cardio machine cup holders. These are all common to the consistent gym goer. However, there are a few items which could optimize focus and time spent during your gym session.
Physical or Digital Notepad
I advise everyone to take notes throughout their workout. Workout logs help you track progression, regression, and other patterns throughout your journey. This helps you make more data-driven solutions in workout programming. How many sets of how many reps with what weight did you move during your lifts? What is the best configuration on the seated leg curl machine for you? What grip on which cable attachments on how high a vertical setting best targeted that one muscle head last time on the cable tower? Its far easier to review notes from the last workout session than attempt to remember all of that. I don't know which are the best workout tracker apps, digital notepads, or fitness apps. I rock the pen and handy dandy notebook.
Sweatbands
Constantly wiping sweat from getting into your eyes during a run or full-body exercise is annoying. I'm not suggesting you purchase 1980s sweatbands. You likely already have a bandanna, old white tee, or headband that works just as well. Use them as wristbands to keep your hands dry. Chalk plus wetness equals less grip and comfort.
Towel
Fitness centers usually have towels and disinfectant spray scattered throughout for sanitizing equipment. If you sweat a lot, a towel will clear more than your hand without compromising your grip. You can also use towels to "mark" equipment while you use the restroom or search for additional accessories or free weights. If a towel seems like too much, maybe stick to the sweatband or old shirt.
Kinesiology Tape (KT)
Kinesiology tape (KT) are the strips you've probably seen professional athletes have on their arms or legs during events. KT tape knee support is a popular use case. Strategically applied KT tape is believed but not clinically proven to boost performance. I've personally seen kinesio tape help with grip during lifts, mitigate hand calluses, and prevent back of heel blisters (not full "KT tape ankle support") while breaking in new running shoes or boots. You can do the same with good medical tape but KT may be more durable to friction depending on the brands.
Water Bottle
A walk to and from the water fountain between sets once or twice a workout isn't bad. You get a chance to "walk it out" with a bonus of hydrating. But doing that after every set creates excessive opportunities to small-talk with other gym patrons, dampen focus, and quietly add minutes to your session. If you're huge on hydration, it might be better to carry a durable tumbler, especially if you take intra-workout supplements.
Post-Workout Snacks
Snacks come in handy when you're hungry and en route to the gym. It can distract you from giving top effort and motivate you to rush or prematurely end the workout. If you're hungry post-workout and must go somewhere immediately afterwards, its tempting to drive through the nearest fast food spot. Those with type 2 diabetes must have something to nibble on in the case of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Protein bars and shakes are obvious options, but your body craves real food. Mixed nuts, fruits, and eggs are healthier options.
Dip Belt for Weighted Dips and Pull-Ups
If you can do more than 20 dips or 15 pull-ups, consider getting a dip belt to comfortably add weight. A dip belt is a huge strap, usually made of nylon or leather, that wraps around the waist with spring link carabiners for holding weight plates. Weighted pull-ups and dips can aid various goals:
- Strength training
- Bulking
- Plyometrics
- Calesthenics
When comparing the best dip belts on the market, pay attention to reviews about comfort, durability, and ability to hold the amount of weight you think you'd eventually lift in such hip-loaded exercises.
With some creativity, dip belts can also be useful for squats (belt squats), calf raises, and crawls. For the cost, comfort, and ability to use higher weight, they're much cheaper than creative options such as chains, maybe unless you can get free ones from a boatyard. If you don't want to spend money, use a heavy backpack. Warning: a heavy backpack may alter your center of gravity during chin-ups. A weighted vest is another option. Then you can skip the physical fitness center for some green exercise at a park or beach.
