Do You Need Fancy Fitness Gear?

[@ryanmorris4995]

While what gear to wear and when always seems up for debate, I always wear protective hand and thumb gear when on the bar, and protect the thumbs when using a hook grip on a barbell. It’s just not worth having the hands and thumbs tear. This never seems to get mentioned in these types of videos.

[@londonguyinstockholm]

Ryan Morris I also use hand/thumb protection to avoid tears. In my mind this is a bit different from gear such as sleeves and wraps, hand protection simply protects the body surface from abrassion, I don't think that hand protection affects muscular performance but I am no expert!

[@eh3253]

I disagree. I’m an older lifter. Squat shoes and knee sleeves help with my stability; especially when I go really heavy. I do not recommend that anyone get under a heavy load in regular sneakers ever. Soft sole shoes can make you buckle under heavy weight. I’ve seen two nasty incidences in the squat rack. Use a belt as you feel it’s necessary, also.

[@_leoniden]

Perhaps you should not squat a weight you're too weak for. Also, no special gear doesn't mean you should use inappropriate equipment

[@londonguyinstockholm]

Todd Rankles Soft sole shoes in themselves can't 'make' you buckle under heavy weight - they simply don't stop you from buckling. Which is precisely David's point - squat shoes (and other such aids) mask the areas that we need to train up and ultimately limit our true development. Occassionally I practice squats barefoot so that I have to have to be aware of my whole foot including my toes! For me good form is more important than a heavy weight - I am in this for the long- run, and I say that as a middle age guy with virtually no history of training or lifting! I guess it depends on whether one is looking to lift heavy or to be fit, and that's a personal choice!

[@eh3253]

Leoniden I’ve been training since 1993. I’m good

[@eh3253]

Stuart Mayes would you squat heavy on a soft rubber mat? No, you wouldn’t. I use squat shoes for heavy lifts. Do you see Olympic lifters using regular sneakers? No. It’s a safety issue. You do you. I don’t recommend it.

[@eh3253]

Stuart Mayes I use knee sleeves due to my age. I’ve got a lot of miles on my knees, and some arthritis under my knee caps. My point is longevity. I’m getting close to 50. I’ve never been seriously hurt, and I use these things.