Today’s blog post is going to cover the topic of accessories and equipment to aid in your CrossFit Gainz. I will list a few key items I think are invaluable for a long and successful journey into forging your elite fitness, I will include uses for them and things to avoid when using them.
*disclaimer: this is not gospel and do not feel you have to have any of the items on this list or agree with me on these items, I am just covering a topic that I am seeing brought up more and more in our classes.
We will start with our feet and work our way up.
Footwear:
Your shoes should be minimalist in nature and have side support (if the top part of your shoe slides over the bottom when moving side ways your shoes will most likely lead to you rolling your ankle.) If your shoe is for running and has a hug foam bottom your squats and other barbell movements will always feel weird and squishy, this is to be avoided.
Olympic lifting shoes with a heel – only use if you are serious about increasing those lifts or your overall strength (don’t even bother with them if you are just interested in overall health.)
Shape Ups – burn them
Socks/Lower leg protection:
If you’re someone who doesn’t always wear sweat pants (I sometimes won’t…rarely though) you will need something to protect your shins and lower legs from things such as barbell gouges, rope burns from hell, or when you eat shit on a box jump. These are the moments when things such as long socks, shin sleeves, or my favorite a knee sleeve rolled down to your ankle will be a lifesaver. Don’t be the hero who does 5 rope climbs with the “Spanish Twist” without shin protection and then has a nasty gaping wound for 3 weeks…will probably stick to all your clothing and linens, become infected, and disgust your significant other…just wear protection.
Knees:
knee sleeves – they keep the joint compressed and warm which is great for performance, they don’t really protect the joint or make up for shitty form (will i become dependent on them and never be able to squat without them again?) maybe, they do feel amazing especially if you have any sort of itis, apathy, or joint issue going on, but if you move well you only will use them when needed. Also wash them and let them air dry on a regular basis…they get stanky. Also they work great for the last item.
Knee wraps – can be used just like a sleeve but for a bit more compression, not so much as a shin guard. If you get the unyielding power lifting variety and have some one tighten them until you want to cry then they offer a bit more support for those intense squat sessions.
Lifting Belt:
Do you need it? Depends, on how well you move and how disciplined you are about ditching lifts when you get out of alignment, and how strong your trunk is (there are other things but those are the easy ones.) I know some strong people who don’t use one in their training, and I know other strong people who swear by it. So ask around, try one first on your next heavy day (not for all your sets) and see if you might like it. Start with a cloth one before you get the leather or clasp ones. Also make sure you are strong and move well, don’t try and compensate with a belt… it won’t work.
Wrist Wraps:
The same as knee sleeves they can help with preexisting conditions or new injuries. They provide some good stability to the joint as well which can help for many of the front rack movements for when your wrists become sore. They also look cool and that gives you something.
Remember to always do your wrist prep exercises and to do as much as possible without them, but they do have a place if your joints are sore or need a little extra stability.
Headbands:
They collect sweat, say funny things, and can look cool…#TeamHeadBand
I hope this helped with any questions about CrossFit Equipment, enjoy the WOD
Loading the WODs from Beyond the Whiteboard