The Raising Gifts You Should Ask For
As readers will notice, I’ve gotten really into training over the past year or two. And along the way, I bought a few things that were a little more expensive. If I was smart, I would ask for them as birthday or holiday gifts, but around this time last year, I didn’t quite understand what I would eventually need. So this is a gift guide for me who can be you too.
Remember that fitness gifts may sound offensive , but your donor has a free pass if you asked for a specific item that will really help you. So, if you have the opportunity to ask a specific question, or if you are expecting to receive some kind of monetary gifts that you can add together, here’s what you might want to ask for.
Belt
If you are into powerlifting or any other strength sport in which you end up doing a lot of heavy lifts (including squats and deadlifts), you will eventually want to buy a belt . The strap doesn’t protect your back, but it does help stabilize your torso so you can lift more and train better for your legs.
In powerlifting, everyone usually wears a belt made of leather or imitation leather, the same width around the perimeter, with a buckle or lever in the front. In Olympic style weightlifting, Velcro or padded belts are more common. If you plan to compete, check the requirements of your federation to make sure you select a belt that is approved for competition. For example, there will likely be restrictions on its size.
In powerlifting, you need to decide:
- Thickness in millimeters. 10mm is enough for just about everyone, but if you want something very durable, there are 13mm straps as well.
- Width in inches. Many belts are 4 “wide, but if you are not very tall, you may find that the 3” belt is more comfortable for deadlifts.
- How it closes. Single-lip buckles are easy to put on and easy to adjust. Lever straps cannot be adjusted on the go, but once you get them the way you want them, they are easy to put on. The double lug buckles are inconvenient from what I hear.
Some popular brands of belts require custom ordering, so think ahead. It’s best if you can try on the belt before ordering, so ask around at your gym to see what people recommend and if you can try them to see how they feel.
I ended up with this belt 10mm thick, 3 “wide, with one lug, burgundy with white stitching. I love that it has holes every half inch to make it more adjustable. (Holes per inch are more common.)
Lifting shoes
Maybe you still go to the gym in trainers or trainers. If so, now is a great time to upgrade.
We’ve got a detailed guide to the basic types of climbing shoes, but you’ll want to try on again if you can and think about exactly what you want out of your new shoe. Specifically:
- Want a heel with a raised heel? If you are an Olympic weightlifter or struggling to reach depth in squats, yes. Get the right weightlifting shoes. If not, then the choice – high or flat heels – is up to you.
- Want something thin and flat? Chucks, vans, and other flat shoes are ideal for deadlifts. Some people like to squat in flat shoes, some don’t.
- Are you going to do more than just exercise in new shoes? There are several models, such as the Metcons , which are a hybrid of a cross trainer and an overhead shoe. For example, if you do CrossFit, you may need a small heel to help with squatting and steering, but you don’t need to change your lifting shoes for the part of the WOD that requires you to run or climb a rope.
If you only do Olympic weightlifting, athletes are all you need. If you’re into CrossFit, something like Metcon will cover most of your bases. And if you’re a powerlifter, you’ll probably want to start with a couple of bullets and consider picking up your shoes as your next upgrade.
For me, I started with a pair of all-black high chucks and then added a pair of Nike Romaleo weightlifting shoes.
The perfect gym bag
Here’s a gift that is still personal but requires less specific knowledge of your sport. Come up with your perfect duffel bag, then start hinting to whoever buys you a gift. Almost all options for sizes, zippers and straps are available somewhere. Several questions to consider:
- Are you going to wear shoes? Wet or dirty clothes? Some bags have pockets to separate them from the rest of your gear.
- Are you planning to travel with a gym bag? If so, you probably want it to fit in your carry-on bag or under the seat for your personal items.
- What pockets are needed? I like to have a dedicated pocket for my workout diary and other papers. Maybe you need some small zippered pockets for keys and other small items.
- What bags will fit in your bag? If you don’t have a shoe compartment, you may need a shoe bag. If you shower at the gym, you probably need a toiletry kit. And if the inside of your bag seems a little too cavey, consider packing cubes to preserve the categories of the items contained.
I have an Adidas Defender III . I use one of the outer pockets for my shoes and the other for my laptop. I also have packing cubes and a shoe bag for extra shoes when I travel, although these are not part of my daily kit.
Good gym membership
As a beginner, I will assume that you have started exercising at any gym closest to your home or work place. But over time, as your interests become narrower, you may want more.
Ask everyone and try to figure out where you would feel the most: in a multi-platform weightlifting gym? A powerlifting gym where you can use chalk and throw deadlifts as much as you want? Crossfit boxing with a great trainer? Every gym will usually be happy to give you your first free session – or at least let you get a day pass – so you can work out and see what you think.
Remember to ask your friends where they train, where they would like to train, and which trainers and trainers they think are great.
Personally, I took our classic advice seriously – your gym should either be very close or very beautiful – and I belong to both. There is a commercial gym near my house that is cheap enough not to eat up too much of the budget, which allows me to also use a gym in another part of town.
Or to give another example: I don’t do powerlifting in the gym myself, but I know people who do it, and I used their recommendations to give my husband (with his enthusiastic permission) a training package there. Remember, the giver needs to know exactly what the giver wants. And if you are giving, don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what you need.