Weightlifting Accessories

I think of weightlifting accessories as weightlifting aids because they make things easier for the user. Let me start by stating my opinion on weight accessories and I'll let you be the judge from there. For me, I try to use the least amount of weightlifting accessories possible when I work out. I believe in slow, but steady progress and letting my body adapt to changes like lifting heavier weights gradually.

That being said, I still make use of weightlifting gloves. I use them so I don't get painful blisters on my palms, but I've found, since a horrific incident with blisters, that once my hands calloused and healed I really had no use for the gloves any longer. My hands had toughened up!

Weightlifting accessories can include any item that helps support your body lift a heavier-than-usual weight than you might be used to, or that helps your body weightlift in general in the case of those with bad backs, wrists and knees. Training weightlifters and powerlifters tend to use aids like weightlifting belts, weightlifting gloves, weightlifting straps and grip chalk more than any other type of gym rat and with good reason. Considering the amount of weight that they lift, it's no wonder that their lower backs, wrists and knees are prone to blowing out. By incorporating this type of equipment into their workouts, their weaker body parts are supported and their risk of suffering a serious injury is reduced.

To summarize, I want to stress that for the amount of weightlifters I see using weightlifting aids right I see double, no probably triple, the amount of people using them wrong. I see two negatives behind the misuse. First, using weight training accessories improperly can work against you by weakening your muscles, and you can actually harm yourself if you, say, apply a weight strap the wrong way. Secondly, using a weight aid wrong makes you look foolish and can potentially encourage others who don't know any better to use the aid like you are, and potentially harm themselves. So, if you want to use a weight aid, learn to do it properly by asking a personal trainer or a powerlifter at your gym 9 times out of 10 they will be more than happy to help.