Weight training is an excellent way to stay fit. But as with any sporting activity, there is a risk of injury, so you must equip yourself with all the knowledge you need to ensure you do not hurt yourself or anyone around you. You have to bear that in mind and take the necessary precautions to reduce the chances of accidents occurring. Some things like not lifting more than you can handle and having someone spot you properly are obvious. But other things are not, below we talk about a few of them.
Use bumper plates
If you are lifting heavy weights, it is recommended you buy bumper plates to keep you safe. These weights are designed to be dropped from a height. They do not bounce too much, which greatly reduces the chances of you being struck or them rolling away. They are also less likely to damage the floor.
The other advantage bumper plates have over the old-school steel plates is that they are a lot quieter. If you work out at home, being quieter can be important.
Consider using weightlifting gloves
Around 75% of people do not wear gloves when they train with weights. But, if you suffer from sweaty hands, it is worth considering doing so. In that situation, gloves will usually provide you with more grip, which makes the chances of your dropping them far less likely. If you are not sure which ones to buy, then do your research or ask your fellow gym-goers for advice.
The right footwear
This is an item of gear that an awful lot of weight trainers do not pay enough attention to – their footwear. In theory, you can train in a pair of running shoes if you wish. But it is best to take things a step further and buy footwear that has been specifically designed for working out with weights. A pair of training shoes that suit your frame, foot shape, stance, and the type of workouts you do are ideal. Use the information provided in this comprehensive article to help you to decide what style of footwear to invest in.
A weightlifting belt and straps
You need to be careful with weightlifting belts and straps. If you do not need to wear them, you really shouldn’t. Wearing them in that situation can sometimes end up with you doing more harm than good.
An awful lot of people hurt themselves because they mistakenly believed that wearing a belt means that they can lift more. A belt will not provide enough additional support to allow you to do that.
Educate yourself more about workout safety
As we said, earlier in the article, this is not designed to be a comprehensive guide to staying safe while training with weights. There are many additional tools you can use, such as the X3-The Best Resistance Band Bar to train your body. To gain a deeper understanding of the subject it is a good idea to book yourself a few lessons with a certified personal trainer.