If You're Going to the Gym for the First Time, We Have You Covered: 7 Essential Gym Accessories for Men in 2020

How is it helpful
If you regularly do weight training, then you must be aware of the lifting straps. It is an absolute necessity for newbies and the experienced ones alike. Correctly holding the dumbbells will ensure the effectiveness of the weight training. If you find difficulty in grasping the dumbbells, then these straps can be helpful.

The lifting support provides the best support to your wrists during the gruelling weight training. You can improve your grip and hold on to the equipment longer, which will ensure the best outcome of your practice.

How to choose the best ones
You need to use lifting straps for the right exercises. The equipment is suitable for deadlifts, dumbbell or barbell rolls, and rack pulls, etc. if you wish to participate in any powerlifting competition, you must not use them as you need to have a naturally strong grip. Lifting straps are not allowed in most competitions.

While selecting the right lifting strap for you, you must keep in mind that various materials are used to make the lifting straps. Nylon or cotton straps are firmer than leather straps. Speed straps do not provide a firm grip but allow a more natural release of the barbell. There are hook straps that can affect your performance in lifting barbells.

How is it helpful
The resistance bands exert force on your muscles when stretched and improve your flexibility. You can also enhance the mobility of your joints and can be used in lower and upper body training. You can also use them to do pull-ups.

You can use it when lifting a dumbbell, and your muscles will be strained. It will improve the quality of your training. As the bands come in multiple levels of resistance, the user can easily adjust the amount of resistance during the exercise. It is easy to alter the resistance levels also by making the resistance bands slack or using multiple bands.

The portable bands can add variety to your workouts. It allows the user to train with machines or free weights. It is easy to use, and you can safely exercise even if you are alone.

How to choose the best ones
It allows the user to pick and choose a variety of bands, as most of them are usually segregated according to the amount of tension. Before buying, do check whether the tension levels suits you. There are various types of resistance bands. If you are a newbie, start with the basic ones – the ones with the long elastic tubes with a handle. It is best to buy the bands with padded handles as you need not change them frequently.

How is it helpful
Most of us do not care to exercise every day. At least we must do some amount of physical activity to keep us in shape. It is where fitness trackers come to your help. A fitness tracker will track the amount of physical activity you are doing every day. In case you forget, there is an alarm to remind you.

The user can also monitor their activity and the impact on their health very quickly. It can show when you were last active, the number of steps you have walked, and the calories you have burnt throughout the day. You can also set your daily goals. Start by setting achievable goals, and as you progress, increase the threshold. The trackers can also track the number of calories you take in and the time you have slept.

How to choose the best ones
If you need to buy a fitness tracker, you need first to understand the metrics that you wish to measure. Are those metrics available in the model you are choosing? Moving on, the trackers come in various designs. While the primary need is to inform you about your physical activity, still some of us may prefer the luxurious ones with a few more features.

Like all products, the user experience matters for a fitness tracker also. Does it track activity automatically? Is it waterproof? Is it easy to interact? You may wish to opt for a touchscreen. Also, research the battery backup and whether it supports GPS.

How is it helpful
A weight belt helps to reduce stress on the abdomen when lifting weights. The belt compresses the abdominal cavity and reduces stress and reduces lower back compression at the same time. The lifter is also aware of his position as he can squeeze the abdominal muscles too.

How to choose the best ones
How do you choose the one suitable for you? What is the belt size that is ideal for you? The better ones provide support to your spine while you are lifting weights. The best ones have an equal width throughout the circumference. While choosing between a 10 cm or a 13 cm belt, all you need to do is to find which one you are comfortable with while exercising.

The belts are made of velcro, leather, or suede. A leather belt is stiffer and durable, while suede is softer and will not shift around. A single prong belt is ideal for newbies, and the double prong provides more safety for your waist.

How is it helpful
Ankle support is a combination of plastic, metal, and fabric to give protection to the ankles. They are useful in providing relief from any injury. It also helps in preventing injuries as a study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health had shown. An ankle brace is known to limit specific motion by the user. In this way, it can proactively prevent any ankle injury.

How to choose the best ones
There is a large assortment of ankle braces that are available in the market. But you must look for the quality of the components that go into making the ankle brace. The stability of the ankle brace is also essential. And so is the comfort that the user has when wearing it. The ankle braces will lose its benefit if the user feels awkward after wearing it. And, finally, the price. There are several cheap options available that offer excellent quality products. The ones from Flamingo, Vissco, and Tynor offer aesthetically brilliant and right quality products at great prices.

How is it helpful
There are various gym exercises that can damage your knees. Exercises like leg extension and lifting heavy weights can be taxing for the knee. Knee support protects the knee and can be of help when you do low impact exercises in the gym. A knee support can also help people with arthritis or any other knee disease.

Being made from metal, foam, and plastic, the knee braces correct the alignment to the knee joint by reducing the pressure to the joint. The load on the affected muscles are lessened and can also provide comfort by enhancing blood circulation.

How to choose the best ones
You first need to understand the reason why you need it. The hinged knee braces are ideal for sportspersons who are trying to stabilise after an injury. It provides support to the knee and helps to heal quickly. The sleeves allow to minimise chronic knee pain. The wraparounds are ideal for athletes with moderate knee pain or dislocation. A runner's knee pain will require bands to be worn at the knee.

How is it helpful
It provides a double fold help. It can protect the elbow from injury and soreness by cushioning it to prevent injury. Some of the elbow pads come with an added protective layer of foam. Built from breathable fabric, it prevents the elbows from sweating too much. Wearing an elbow pad keeps the muscles at rest. An elbow pad prevents any movement of the arm that is not required.

How to choose the best ones
To start with, choose the material from which it is produced. It could either be nylon or Neoprene, Nylon/ Spandex, and silicone. Each of the elements has its advantages. Neoprene is durable and has resistance to stretching.

The size of the elbow pad is essential. Some of the items can be adjusted while others have a fixed size.