- Joined
- Nov 19, 2016
- Messages
- 1,071
I have been a gym rat since 1984 and through the decades I have purchased a shit ton of weight training gadgets (accessories). Reflecting back, I could have saved a lot of money on the non-essential equipment, but some stuff has been very effective. I am going to start with my list...and I know as I rack my brain my list will increase. Feel free to pile on, perhaps you will turn us on to a gem, OR save us money on a dud.
1. Versa Grips. Grade A. I find these more comfortable than standard straps, but a bit overpriced. Amazon has knock offs that are just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
2. Arm Blaster. Grade C. It is effective for biceps isolation, but cumbersome, uncomfortable, and I hate dragging it to and from the gym. The iconic pic of Arnold using one is what sold me BTW.
3. Fat Gripz. Grade D. I simply didn't notice a difference, but I do see a benefit if you are working on grip strength or trying to build up forearms. For biceps, I think they might be detrimental since they limit loading (they are hard to grip so you can't curl as much).
4. Standard Straps. Grade A. For pull work, I find these essential. If money is not an issue go with the Versas (or knock off), but if you are on a budget, these work just fine. The only downside is if you are pulling really heavy weights they could cause some skin damage to the wrists.
5. Manta Ray Squat Pad. Grade F. Helps keep the higher on the back for high bar squats, but you can do the same without the pad. This one was a waste of money for me.
6. Sting Ray Squat Pad. Grade D. Assists to keep the bar stable during front squats. This one is more valuable than the Manta Ray, but only marginally. The fact is, I hate front squats anyway so I was hoping this would cause me to enjoy them. I didn't.
7. Micro Gainz dumbbell plates. Grade A. These are small plates that clip onto dumbbells, as low as 1.25 lb each. Jordan Peters turned me on to the importance of even the smallest of improvements from week to week. These are great for females who can't jump from a 20 lb db to a 25 lb db. I am a personal trainer and use these all the time, especially with the females.
8. Dumbbell Spotter hooks. Grade B-. You hook these on to dumbbells and then suspend them from a barbell in the rack or the smith machine. It is for guys who have difficulty getting heavy DB into place for military press or incline press. I don't have a partner (you need 2) to hand me the heavy dumbbells so these allow you to lift off from the top rather than hoist from the knees into position. My only knock is, getting them into position is still a bitch. You have to lift a heavy 100+ db from the ground and carefully hook them onto a barbell that is positioned at eye level. So that in and of itself is a workout.
I will think of some more gadgets I have purchased and pile on later. Feel free to do the same.
1. Versa Grips. Grade A. I find these more comfortable than standard straps, but a bit overpriced. Amazon has knock offs that are just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
2. Arm Blaster. Grade C. It is effective for biceps isolation, but cumbersome, uncomfortable, and I hate dragging it to and from the gym. The iconic pic of Arnold using one is what sold me BTW.
3. Fat Gripz. Grade D. I simply didn't notice a difference, but I do see a benefit if you are working on grip strength or trying to build up forearms. For biceps, I think they might be detrimental since they limit loading (they are hard to grip so you can't curl as much).
4. Standard Straps. Grade A. For pull work, I find these essential. If money is not an issue go with the Versas (or knock off), but if you are on a budget, these work just fine. The only downside is if you are pulling really heavy weights they could cause some skin damage to the wrists.
5. Manta Ray Squat Pad. Grade F. Helps keep the higher on the back for high bar squats, but you can do the same without the pad. This one was a waste of money for me.
6. Sting Ray Squat Pad. Grade D. Assists to keep the bar stable during front squats. This one is more valuable than the Manta Ray, but only marginally. The fact is, I hate front squats anyway so I was hoping this would cause me to enjoy them. I didn't.
7. Micro Gainz dumbbell plates. Grade A. These are small plates that clip onto dumbbells, as low as 1.25 lb each. Jordan Peters turned me on to the importance of even the smallest of improvements from week to week. These are great for females who can't jump from a 20 lb db to a 25 lb db. I am a personal trainer and use these all the time, especially with the females.
8. Dumbbell Spotter hooks. Grade B-. You hook these on to dumbbells and then suspend them from a barbell in the rack or the smith machine. It is for guys who have difficulty getting heavy DB into place for military press or incline press. I don't have a partner (you need 2) to hand me the heavy dumbbells so these allow you to lift off from the top rather than hoist from the knees into position. My only knock is, getting them into position is still a bitch. You have to lift a heavy 100+ db from the ground and carefully hook them onto a barbell that is positioned at eye level. So that in and of itself is a workout.
I will think of some more gadgets I have purchased and pile on later. Feel free to do the same.