Strange But Genius, 5 Gym Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed

Over years of weight training I have come across some unusual accessories that claim to improve your workout. While many of these are gimmicky and often less effective than the traditional gym staples, below are 5 that buck that trend. I currently use all 5 and thoroughly recommend them as enhancements to your workout:

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Banana Grips

I'm normally not a fan of bananas (preference, not dietary advice) but these are superb. Especially effective on cable rows, these force both arms to work relatively independently (hence why it is more difficult than a single '2 handed' attachment) while actually sitting into the palm in a more natural way (the rubbery texture and curvature actually make them more comfortable than using 2 single traditional style handles) and can reduce strain on joints. A great way to mix things up a bit! You can find them on Amazon here.

Drop Set Pins

As if drop sets weren't torturous enough, these make that exhaustion principle even more effective. Spring loaded to drop out the moment you touch the current weight down onto the stack - you are then immediately on the next weight meaning the few seconds used for "moving the pin" which even the most disciplined of us will have a tendency to abuse.....are eliminated. I can think of few better examples of a love/hate relationship. (word of warning, these come in various sizes so check they will fit the cable stacks at your gym - these are the 9.5mm ones, the only ones I have used myself).

Bear Grip Cable Attachments

Perhaps less unusual than some other items featured here, these attachments can now be found in a couple of chain gyms and have significant benefits. While some of the handles such as the lat pulldown wide grip bars actually put you in a more favourable position than the traditional straight lat bars, the big advantage here is that the grip is spread which goes some way to solving the all too common problem of gripping too hard and loading the forearms and wrists excessively. These grips enable you to focus the target muscles better and improve that often elusive "mind muscle connection".

Hanging Ab Sling

Hanging leg raises are a great exercise for abs and obliques but a common issue is that the grip on the bar will provide a tougher challenge than the ab work itself. Not so, with this useful invention which provides a comfortable sling for the arms to sit in while working on that six pack - one less distraction from the task at hand!

Portable Baby Caddy Organiser

Yes, you read that right. This neat product originally designed for carrying diapers etc is equally functional as a 'gym toolbox'. From water bottles, headphones, phones, airpod cases, lifting straps, lifting belt, knee wraps, towel, fruit shaped attachments......the list of items one might be carrying around the gym is potentially endless and can get quite annoying (as is the need to remember what specific bits you need for each workout and to avoid leaving kit scattered and lost). This organiser can fit everything you need into it's compact frame - another annoyance off your mind.

Give them a try!