Best Gym Accessories: 9 Pieces of Gear Worth Owning

Walk through any gym and you will see lifters with bags full of gear. Some of it is essential and some is not. This guide covers the best gym accessories for strength training, what each one does and who should buy it, so you can build a kit that actually helps your training.

1. Wrist Wraps

What they do: add stiffness to the wrist for pressing.

Best for: bench press, overhead press, dips, front squats.

Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps: 18", polyester cotton blend, thumb loop, hook-and-loop closure, $28.99. Read what do wrist wraps do.

2. Lifting Straps

What they do: help your grip on heavy pulls.

Best for: RDLs, rows, shrugs, back-off deadlifts, lat pulldowns.

Bay Gear Co. lifting straps: 24", $19.99. Read how to use lifting straps.

3. Lever Belt

What it does: gives a stiff surface to brace against.

Best for: heavy squats, deadlifts, overhead press.

Bay Gear Co. lever belt: 10mm, 4.25" wide, $129.99. Read best weightlifting belt.

4. Quick Locking Belt

What it does: an adjustable belt for bracing that is fast to fasten.

Best for: CrossFit, hip thrusts, mixed training, first-time belt buyers.

Bay Gear Co. quick locking belt: $34.99. Read best weightlifting belt for beginners.

5. Knee Sleeves

What they do: warmth, compression and a supported feel.

Best for: squats, leg press, lunges.

Bay Gear Co. knee sleeves: 7mm, 9.5", $59.99. Read what do knee sleeves do.

6. Knee Wraps

What they do: much stiffer support than sleeves for maximal squats.

Best for: heavy top sets and wrapped meets.

Bay Gear Co. knee wraps: 78" × 3.25". Read knee wraps for lifting.

7. Elbow Sleeves

What they do: warmth and compression for the elbows.

Best for: pressing, dips, triceps work, low-bar squats.

Bay Gear Co. elbow sleeves: 7mm neoprene, $49.99/pair. Read what do elbow sleeves do.

8. Ankle Straps

What they do: attach a cable to your ankle.

Best for: kickbacks, abductions, hamstring curls.

Bay Gear Co. ankle straps: $9.99. Read ankle strap exercises.

9. Liquid Chalk

What it does: improves grip with less mess than loose chalk.

Best for: deadlifts, pull-ups, Olympic lifts.

Bay Gear Co. liquid chalk. (Liquid chalk is not returnable.) Read can you use chalk at the gym.

Bonus: Elbow Wraps

For heavy bench top sets, elbow wraps are 60" long. See how long should elbow wraps be.

Which Accessories Should You Buy First?

• Beginners: wrist wraps and lifting straps.
• Getting stronger: add a belt and knee sleeves.
• Specializing: add wraps, elbow sleeves or ankle straps based on your training.

Accessory Kits by Goal

• Powerlifting: lever belt, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, chalk. See powerlifting gear for beginners.
• Bodybuilding: straps, wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, ankle straps.
• CrossFit: quick locking belt, wrist wraps, knee sleeves, chalk.
• Glute training: ankle straps, straps, quick locking belt.

Keep Gear Fresh

Clean gear lasts longer. Read how to wash knee sleeves and wrist wraps and how to clean a lifting belt. Pack it all with our gym bag essentials.

Accessories You Probably Do Not Need Right Away

Not every accessory is worth buying on day one. Knee wraps and elbow wraps are specialist tools for heavy top sets, best added once you have a solid base of strength. A lever belt is a great long-term purchase, but beginners can start with a quick locking belt or no belt while they learn to brace. Focus your first purchases on items you will use every week, then add more as your training develops.

How to Use Accessories Without Becoming Dependent

The goal of training gear is to help you train harder on your heaviest sets. A simple rule is to use gear on working sets and top sets, and leave it off for warm-ups and lighter work. That way your muscles, joints and grip keep adapting on their own. For example, deadlift without straps until your grip starts to limit you, then strap up for the remaining sets. Bench with bare wrists on warm-ups, then wrap for working sets.

Buying Quality Over Quantity

A few well-made accessories will serve you better than a bag full of gear that wears out quickly. Look for strong stitching, durable closures and sizes that fit correctly. Check product pages for exact dimensions, such as wrap length or belt thickness, so you know what you are getting. Reading reviews and comparisons, like our post on Tuffwraps vs Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps, can also help you choose.

Building Your Kit Over Time

Many lifters build their gym bag in stages: wrist wraps and straps first, then a belt and knee sleeves, then specialist items. Spreading purchases out also lets you combine items to reach free shipping each time.

Bottom Line

Start with wrist wraps and straps, add a belt and sleeves as you get stronger, then specialize.

FAQ

What gym accessories do I really need?

Most lifters get the most from wrist wraps, lifting straps and a belt.

Are gym accessories worth it?

Used correctly, they help you train harder on heavy sets.

What is the most useful cheap gym accessory?

Lifting straps or ankle straps.

Shop Gym Accessories

Build your kit with Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps and more. Free shipping on orders over $49 and a 30-day return policy.