As readers will have noticed, I have gotten really into lifting over the last year or two.
And along the way, Ive acquired a few items that were a bit expensive.
So this is a gift guide for past me, who might also be you.
In olympic style weightlifting, youre more likely to see belts with velcro or padding.
There will probably be limits on its size, for instance.
For powerlifting, youll have to decide:
The thickness, in millimeters.
The width, in inches.
The way it closes.
Single prong buckles are easy to put on and easy to adjust.
Double prong buckles, from what Ive heard, are kind of a pain in the butt.
Some of the popular belt brands require a custom order, so think ahead.
I ended up gettingthis beltin 10mm thickness, 3 inches wide, single prong, maroon with white stitching.
I like that it has holes every half-inch to make it more adjustable.
(Holes every inch is more common.)
Lifting shoes
Maybe youre still wearing running shoes or cross-trainers to the gym.
If so, now is a great time to upgrade.
Specifically:
Do you want a raised heel?
If you do olympic weightlifting or if you struggle to reach depth in squats, thats a yes.
Get proper weightlifting shoes.
If not, the choice of a raised or flat heel is up to you.
Do you want something thin and flat?
Chucks, vans, and other flat shoes are perfect for deadlifts.
Some people also like to squat in flat shoes, some dont.
Do you intend to do more than just lift in your new shoes?
There are a few models, likeMetcons, that are a hybrid between a cross-trainer and a lifting shoe.
If you only do olympic weightlifting, lifters are all you need.
If you do Crossfit, something like a Metcon is going to cover most of your bases.
Dream up your perfect gym bag, and then start dropping hints to whoever is buying you a gift.
Almost every configuration of size, zippers, and straps is out there somewhere.
A few questions to consider:
Will you be carrying shoes?
Wet or dirty clothes?
Some bags have pockets to keep them separate from the rest of your gear.
Do you plan to travel with your gym bag?
Which pockets are essential?
I love having a pocket specifically for mytraining journaland other papers.
Maybe youd like multiple small zipper pockets for keys and other small items.
What bags will go inside your bag?
If you dont have a shoe compartment, you might want a shoe bag.
If you shower at the gym, youll probably want a toiletry kit.
And if the inside of your bag feels too cavernous, considerpacking cubesto keep categories of items contained.
I have theAdidas Defender III.
I use one of the end pockets for my shoes, and the other for my notebook.
But in time, as your interests get more specialized, you may find yourself wanting more.
A crossfit box with a great coach?
Remember, the gifter should know for sure what the giftee wants.
And if youre the giftee, dont be afraid to ask for exactly what you need.
