Wondering which accessories are best to take with you to the gym? We break down the best gym accessories for men and women, although you can use some of them interchangeably, regardless of gender. All the accessories will help you achieve a better workout and that’s always the goal.
What gym accessories do you need?
The main gym accessories you need when you go to the gym are a reusable water bottle, towel, workout shoes, headphones, and yourself. However, there are several helpful add-ons that can take your workout to the next level. For example, gloves for weightlifting, compression braces, and even a workout supplement. Our list of the best gym accessories for men and women are based on tips from experienced gym-goers and can fit right into your gym bag.
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What gym accessories should you take to the gym?
Some gym accessories you should take with you are headphones, a change of clothes, small shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower shoes, and a fitness tracker. In our editor’s opinion, these are must-haves because you never know when you will have to shower and change to make an early meeting or after work dinner. To some, a fitness tracker isn’t a must, but it is a great idea to keep track of your heart rate, steps, calories, and more while you work out.
What home gym accessories are essential?
Gym accessories for your home gym are simple things you might only realize are essential once you need them. These items are all provided by gyms, so you won’t have to worry about bringing your own if you decide to step out of your home gym.
- Exercise mat or yoga mat
- Resistance bands
- Dumbbells that are light, medium, heavy
- A foam roller or massage gun
- Jump rope
- Wall ball
The best gym accessories for men
When considering the five best gym accessories for men and women, we have selected the five items that are most popular for each gender. As we mentioned, you don’t have to stick to just one set of gym accessories. Whatever helps your workout go by quickly and efficiently, will work at any gym.
5. Tenikle 360, $45
The Tenikle 360 holds your phone and can be used as a stand while working out. You can place it on the mirror or the workout machine to record yourself or watch a show. It has suction cups to stick to glass, metal, plastic, porcelain, or fiber surfaces. It is number five on the list because it isn’t something you need, but it is nice to have while working out if you want to record your workout or watch a workout video.
Users have said they like this because they can easily record their workouts. It has been featured on Shark Tank, Men’s Journal, BuzzFeed, and more. It can hold not only your phone, but a camera as well. If you want to record your workouts whether on your phone or camera, this prevents your phone getting dirty or stepped on while at the gym.
4. Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Massage Gun, $150
The Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Massage Gun is designed to provide massage relief to 90% of the body. This mini massage gun packs a punch and is well-designed, even though its price point is much lower than some other massage gun brands. It’s easy to use and comes with a nice travel case, so you can put everything in one bag and take it to the gym with you. It is number four on the list because some people prefer to use a foam roller instead of a massage gun.
Reviewers have stated that this gun is perfect for use at the gym. It can fit right in your gym bag and will not be annoying to carry around. Users have stated that they can work out and use this tool after to relieve tension before leaving the gym. It’s also particularly popular among men for sore muscles, but anyone can use this tool.
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3. Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt, $35
The Gymreapers Quick Locking Weightlifting Belt is a functional and practical guard to wear while weightlifting. It is adjustable and will protect you with its caliber locking mechanism. This type of gym accessory is popular and useful for people who predominantly weight lift. Furthermore, it’s most necessary when you are lifting extremely heavy weight to protect your back and form.
Reviewers have stated that they love the support that it brings to their back when they are using it. They can see a huge difference when they use it. You can’t beat the price of this product if you’re into weightlifting. We suggest reading the directions on how to wear it so you can get the most use out of it.
2. Rogue Monster Bands, $17.25 to $80
The Rogue Monster Bands can be ordered individually or as part of a complete set if you want them all. These bands help with pull-up assistance, squats, and bench presses. Bands can help you increase your results in the gym because of the support and resistance they provide. Plus, if you bring your own, you don’t have to use the bands the gym provides. Sometimes, people can hog them or forget to clean them, which is why people prefer to bring their own.
Reviewers have stated the Rogue Monster Bands are durable and made with excellent-quality. If you need assistance with pull-ups, this helps you still get in a good arm workout. You can also use them around your arms or legs while lifting to add extra resistance.
1. Versa Gripps Pro, $70
The Versa Gripps Pro are the best grips to get if you do a lot of pull ups or lift using a large bar. They protect your hands, so you don’t get calluses, and prevent the bar from slipping when you start to sweat. They have a built-in arch to help offer support while using your hands. It is number one on our list, especially for men, because it’s not helpful to worry about the bar slipping. You’ll be able to get a few more reps in by using these grips, which directly impacts your fitness.
Reviewers have stated that they don’t want to go back after using these grips. They also feel that this product is better than the wrap-around straps you can buy because these go directly on your hand. They are an investment, but users have said they are highly worth it if you are gripping tools or weights in your workouts.
The best gym accessories for women
As we transition to the best gym accessories for women, there is nothing keeping people who consider themselves men or non-binary from using these items. The five upcoming products happen to be more popular with female shoppers, but will help anyone improve their workout.
5. TRIBE Cell Phone Armband Case Holder, $15
The TRIBE phone case holder can hold your cell phone whether you have an iPhone or Android. It fits perfectly in the case and you can wear it on your arm while working out. It is number five on our list because some women’s gym leggings or shorts already have built-in pockets or phone holders. However, if you don’t have pockets, or would prefer to wear your phone on your arm, this is a great option.
Reviewers have stated that it is comfortable to wear, whether it be at the gym, doing yard work, or going for a run. It is excellent to use when you want to avoid putting your phone in your phone down or in the pockets of your clothes. We suggest double-checking the size of your phone to ensure you pick the right size for the case.
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4. Te-Rich Resistance Bands, $16
The Te-Rich Resistance Bands come with three different resistance levels. These resistance bands can be used for exercises like squats or arm raises. You can also take them to a yoga or pilates class if you prefer. They are lightweight and portable, so you won’t have to worry about them taking up much room in your gym bag. It is number four on our list for women because they are an extra add-on that you may or may not use depending on your workout routine.
Reviewers have stated that these bands are durable and effective. They don’t roll up when you work out with them, which is a great feature. Users have said that these are great-quality resistance bands for their price. They are made with fabric as opposed to silicone or rubber, so there is a limit on how much you can stretch them. That is actually helpful because the risk of them breaking is much lower than other bands.
3. Bala Bangles Weighted Bangles, $44 – $65
Bala Bangles have become increasingly popular on social media lately because you can wear them while doing any form of exercise to add a bit of intensity. These Bala Bangles are either one or two pounds each. You can place them on your wrist or ankles to add weight when working out. You can choose the weight you want to go with depending on your current strength. These are especially helpful to wear when doing core and arm exercises or when walking on the treadmill.
Reviewers have stated that these are fantastic to use when doing yoga or Pilates because it makes you work harder during your workout. They are lightweight, easy to store in your gym bag, and won’t take up much room. One size fits all for most Bala Bangles, but they have an ultra-strong Velcro, so they will not slide off mid-workout.
2. BalanceFrom All Purpose Yoga Mat, $18
The BalanceFrom All Purpose Yoga Mat is high-density foam yoga mat, which gives you a nice cushion when doing yoga. This is number two on our list because stretching or doing yoga on the gym floor or mats can be uncomfortable because they have no extra cushion. Bringing your own mat ensures that it is clean and always ready-to-use. Mats are often the first thing to be used at the gym and you don’t want to be left without one.
Reviewers have stated that the cushioning makes all the difference in the way their bones and joints feel when they do yoga or stretch at the gym. It is non-slip on both sides of the mat to prevent injuries, which is a great feature. Overall, the price point is very reasonable for the quality.
1. Atercel Weightlifting Gloves, $11
The Atercel Weightlifting Gloves are lifting gloves that protect your palms from getting calluses if you regularly lift or grip onto handlebars when using exercise machines. These are great for a beginner or an athlete. They work well for indoor and outdoor use. Plus, they come in fun pastel colors and do not stand out in an aggressive way against a woman’s outfit. It is an affordable and lightweight gym accessory that is easy to bring in your bag.
Reviewers have stated that these lifting gloves are comfortable and breathable to wear. Even when they are worn often, they don’t fall apart. Users love that they come in two striking colors other than black and grey black. The aqua and pink colors are very popular in particular.
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In conclusion, these are the best gym accessories for men and women that can benefit your workout at the gym. The items we have listed fall somewhere between a want and a need. There aren’t many accessories that you absolutely need to take with you to the gym, but it can be helpful to bring your own to get more reps in, avoid waiting for things that are in-use, and ensure your personal belongings are safe and clean. We know you won’t want to lug around a heavy gym bag, but each set of five items will fit easily in the average gym bag.
