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| Weight Belts, Wrist Wraps, and Jock Straps, Oh My! | ||
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To accessorize or not to accessorize, that is the question… |
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| by Tom Bonanti | ||
 Accessorizing
properly can make or break your outfit and either damage or enhance
the impression you wish to make on others. The same can be said of
your gym attire. Belts, wraps, straps and gloves may make you look
and feel like a serious fitness gladiator, but are they just for
show? Do these manly accoutrements really aid your training or can
they actually harm and hinder you? There is nothing more
manly than a big bodybuilder cinching up his weight belt in
anticipation of some serious heavy metal. But unless you are a
competitive power lifter, you really don’t need a weight belt. In
fact, unless you are consistently squatting over 80 percent of your
maximum weight, a belt can actually hinder your range of motion and
contribute to lower back misery. Save the belt for those last few
heavy squats on a serious leg training day when that big tough
workout partner of yours has pooped out.A jock-strap or athletic supporter is an undergarment designed for supporting the male genitalia during sports or other vigorous activities. There are many styles of jocks available - hockey jocks, swim jocks, and fashion jocks- depending upon your own individual needs and preferences. Heavy deep lifting and rigorous cardio such as interval training are hardly going to cause you injury “down there,” but increased body heat and sweat can cause them to “hang low.” A jock-strap can keep your testicles close and in place, thus avoiding strain and injury. How important are your family jewels to you? Why not don a jock for working out- it can also double as evening wear late on a Saturday night in certain quarters. The purpose of wrist wraps is to assist forearm flexors when performing a movement in which grip strength is crucial. Wearing straps during wide grip lat pull downs, for example, can help you keep a good grip on the bar so that your back muscles are not cheated out of those last few growth-stimulating reps. Beginners should refrain from using straps altogether to maximally stimulate their untrained forearms. Experienced lifters should apply wrist straps only during the last set or two of monster-heavy reps when a firmer, more secure grip is needed. A guy wearing weight lifting gloves looks like a man who means business. That’s hot! There are no apparent disadvantages to the regular use of lifting gloves. In short, gloves increase regular grip strength by decreasing hand discomfort and absorbing sweat. They also help prevent callouses by reducing friction. There you have it! Now you can pack your gym bag with the appropriate accoutrements for entering the gym and having a great workout. Just remember to drag that weight belt behind you, more for effect than anything else. |
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