Gym rats seem easy to shop for, but there’s a whole slew of equipment, accessories, and clothing items that are crucial in the lifting world. Especially if the gym isn’t your thing, it’ll be helpful in your shopping to know lifting is more than just a gym membership, flashy gym clothes, and protein powder. As a baby gym rat myself, I’ve included some things I have that enhanced my performance, as well as things I’d like to acquire this holiday season.
- GYm Shark SAle!!*
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I know this 60% off sitewide sale has perked every gym rats ears alike. Reputable, quality pieces at a fraction of the cost? I say treat yourself, or treat the person you’re giving this to. I have two pairs of high-waisted leggings from there which have loyally stayed in good condition over the past two years. The leggings tend to be super form-fitting and flattering to your body shape, while also being squat-proof (great training wear, not just for the athleisure look). I personally do not have any sets, but if you’re shopping for a female, I highly recommend buying one. You can mix and match, and the psychology is REAL that you feel like a boss-ass coordinated b*tch. The sale started on November 17th and does not have a clear end date yet. Items go fast— you may even experience a queue at checkout (DO NOT REFRESH THE PAGE YOU’LL LOSE YOUR PLACE)!
*not sponsored
- It doesn’t have to be gymshark for quality gym apparel…
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Sure, Gymshark is a respectable, well-known brand, but will it be the difference between hitting your PR or not? Probably not. AYBL is also having a sale with up to 70% off, as well as a 10% student discount. Fabletics is having a 2/$24 sale on bottoms, or 80% off anything on the site as a VIP member. I actually buy a lot of my gym apparel at Kohl’s (yay Kohl’s cash), between the affordable yet quality Tek-Gear brand, and Nike discounts they occasionally market. Walmart, believe it or not, has quality sports bras as well, my favorite hot pink sports bra is from there for only $7!
- Lifting Belt
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A holy grail in the gym if you want to take your lifting to the next level. This is a perfect gift for someone who has been consistent for at least a few months now, or is branching out with newer exercises. The belt adds protection to your spine and core to keep it stable when going heavy. According to verywillfit.com, “A weightlifting belt has two main purposes. It reduces stress on the lower back while the person is lifting in an upright position, and it prevents back hyperextension during overhead lifts.” I don’t deadlift past 115 lbs without a belt because it could cause injury to your joints and lower back (I speak from experience). There is a plethora of weight-lifting belts you can choose from on Amazon ranging from $22-$62 (I’ve been recommended Dark Iron Fitness), or you can pick one up at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Some exercises that can be enhanced with a belt are deadlifts, RDL’s, squats, lunges, and bench press.
- Massage Gun
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If you don’t mind spending a little extra money, massage guns work really well to alleviate any tension or soreness that accumulates in your muscles after a workout. They can be used prior to a workout Hackensack Meriden Health explains, to “prepare muscles by increasing blood flow and improving mobility,” and after working out to “maintain blood flow, which brings recovery-boosting oxygen and nutrients, reduces inflammation and promotes relaxation.” You can also find these on Amazon ranging from $40-$200, which I recommend you do additional research before buying. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of massage guns and which one to get, I recommend you read this article by the NY Times.
- Creatine
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Something on the more affordable side and always in need: the beloved, muscle-building creatine (that rhymed :)). Creatine takes about 2-3 weeks to take its effect, so this would be a great gift for someone who already uses creatine. I’d recommend asking them beforehand if they use creatine and what brand— that way they can stick to something they’re already familiar with. The most studied creatine is creatine monohydrate which has a slew of benefits listed by the Cleveland Clinic: “improved exercise performance, aid in recovery after intense exercise, prevent/reduce the severity of an injury, and increase fat-free muscle mass during training.” I’ve heard good things about myprotein creatine, because you can get a bigger sized bag for relatively cheap, optimum nutrition, and RYSE pre-workout (Baja Blast flavor is delicious). Check out the Cleveland Clinic article linked above to learn more about the side effects and safety of taking creatine.
- Resistance Bands
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Resistance bands are my holy grail when traveling. If I don’t have access to the gym, this still enables me to get an efficient and effective leg workout in. I also take these to the gym for glute activation when warming up my glutes before leg day, as it adds a level of difficulty to the bodyweight exercise. There are TONS of different resistance bands out there, ranging by price, material, brand, and style. It can be confusing to find which ones to get, but they pretty much all do the same thing. You may as well invest in something of thicker quality, like the fabric bands over the rubber ones. I have the Walito resistance bands that come in a black drawstring bag containing easy resistance, medium resistance, and harder resistance. I’ve had them for over 2 years and they’re still in great shape! :)
These are just a few things I felt inclined to mention when shopping for gym rats. Especially not being familiar with the gym, it’s hard to determine what will actually be useful for someone whose passionate about it. I guarantee anything on this list will be useful for someone who loves to work out. You could also look into a yoga mat, wristbands, protein powder, flat shoes, and noise-canceling headphones. All these things I use that has kept me consistent with progress. If you have any more questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram @roseofalyssa. Happy Holidays!