The contents of the weightlifter’s gym bag

There was a time when choosing the proper weightlifting gear and accessories was not a problem. Weightlifting tights and shoes were available for any rookie. And only advanced athletes bought weightlifting belts, knee sleeves and wrist straps. However, the choices were quite modest at that time and they had to go for what was in stock.

The situation changed to the opposite today as there is a plethora of equipment to choose from. Talented marketologysts use this abundance to their advantage selling us snake oil under the guise of something useful. Novices bring a whole lot of both useless and useful stuff to the gym spending a pretty penny on the things they can’t even make use of.

So what’s exactly worth spending your money on?

Weightlifter’s equipment: first and foremost things     

The bag

Any light at least 30 liter sporting bag will be suitable for this case. My team created a bag focusing on all things that a weightlifter needs during workouts. Our bag will easily contain important large things and it has additional sections and pockets for smaller ones. The heavy-duty fabric of this bag can withstand any environmental trials – raining, snowing and high traffic usage. This duffle is great as a daily gym bag, but you can also use it as BJJ bag or for any other sports as well.

Training Bag

Wrist wraps

Cotton elastic wrist wraps with a loop for a thumb and comfortable clasp. They support your wrist position, keep it warm and absorb sweat. It is important to understand that if you perform exercises with bad technique wrist straps can’t save you from injury but they will certainly reduce the risk. 

Wrist Wraps

Velcro Wrist Wraps

Weightlifting straps or loops

Aid you to lift bigger weights. They are indispensable when your hands are already fatigued but the targeted muscle group is capable of continuing exercise. If you have excessive sweating of your hands they will help you to focus on the movement instead of distracting your attention to the slipping barbell. You can go for a simple single loop, lasso straps or lasso with an amortizing pad. Try each and see for yourself.

Knee sleeves

Help to keep your knee joint warm and fix it in a proper position. As it is in the case of wrist straps, knee sleeves won’t compensate your bad technique and excessive loads. A rookie athlete that is only getting familiar with a proper technique can easily do without them. Get them when you start working with serious weight. 

Weightlifting knee wraps

They limit your downward movement during the squat and prevent you from going excessively low, make the ascend phase easier and fixate your joint. A rookie athlete can freely postpone buying this piece of equipment until his weights become significant.

Many go for rubberized powerlifter wraps, but they are made only for a squat where thighs are parallel to the floor. The squat during the snatch and clean & jerk is deeper and it is utterly important that wraps don’t interfere with your technique.

Weightlifting belt

Another piece of equipment that may come in handy only after years of training. It is essential to develop your core muscles and lay the basis of a proper technique in the beginning. The belt is no helper here. It’s worth wearing when you lift 80% of your max.

Barbell collars

You’ll need them as soon as you start lifting and put some plates on your barbell. You need to be 100% sure they won't fall off. Your focus and technique will suffer otherwise, increasing the injury risk for you.

If you don’t lift extremal weights you can go for light high-tenacity nylon weightlifting collars. The additional weight caused by such weightlifting bar collars is insignificant yet they are capable of reliably holding the plates where they are intended to be. 

Barbell Collars Pro

You’re unlikely to need it on your first training, but you’d better have it in your bag if you know that your hands are excessively sweaty. I don’t recommend taking the powder form as it easily goes up in the air and then gets inhaled, which is rather unhealthy for your and your gym buddies’ lungs. It is even restricted in some places.

Weightlifting liquid chalk is what you need. It completely closes the pores on your hands, it is also easily applied and long-lasting. One portion of liquid chalk for weightlifting is sufficient for 2-3 sets.

Liquid Chalk