GYM ACCESSORIES WORTH BUYING.
AND WHAT TO SKIP.
Your gym bag doesn’t need to look like a sporting goods store. Here’s what might earn its place, what can wait, and how to stop buying gear for problems you don’t have.
Start with what limits your training. A water bottle and comfortable shoes make sense for almost everyone. Straps or grips can help when holding the bar becomes the issue. Most other accessories are optional.
Which gym accessories are actually worth buying?
Some gym accessories earn their space by solving a specific problem. Others are just expensive ways to make your gym bag heavier. Our rule is simple: know what you need it for before you buy it.
Here are six accessories worth considering, depending on how you train.
Water bottle
Nothing fancy. Easy to carry, easy to clean, and big enough that you’re not constantly visiting the fountain.
Training shoes
Choose footwear that suits your session. A stable sole can be useful for resistance training; running shoes have a different job.
Lifting grips or straps
Worth considering if your hands tire before the muscles you’re trying to train. Not a substitute for every grip-strength exercise.
Small gym bag
A bag that actually fits your essentials beats carrying three accessories loose in your pockets.
Gym towel
Useful where your gym requires one and handy for wiping down equipment after use.
Resistance bands
Useful for certain warm-ups, movements and travel sessions. Buy a resistance level you can genuinely use.
What can you skip?
There’s nothing wrong with buying gear you enjoy using. But don’t mistake more accessories for better training.
- Another lifting belt when you haven’t worked out whether you need the first one.
- Expensive gadgets that promise to fix everything without explaining how.
- Every grip accessory at once. Figure out whether you prefer straps or lifting grips first.
- Duplicate gym-bag extras bought because they’re trending, not because you use them.
Grips vs straps: where should you start?
If pulling exercises are limited by how long you can hold the bar, lifting straps and lifting grips are both options. Traditional straps wrap around the bar, while lifting grips use a palm piece to create contact with it. Neither is automatically better for everyone.
We’ve already broken down the practical differences in our lifting grips vs straps guide. If you’re considering Versa Gripps specifically, our Versa Gripps model comparison is the next read.
Versa Gripps + IGD
Looking at lifting grips? Compare the models first. If you decide Versa Gripps suit your training, you can use our partner link and code IGD for the available offer. Check the discount at checkout.
Explore Versa Gripps →Affiliate disclosure: IGD may earn a commission from purchases made through this link, at no extra cost to you.How to decide before spending
What problem does it solve?
Be specific. “It looks useful” is not the same as “my grip fails midway through rows.”
How often will I use it?
An accessory used weekly deserves more consideration than one used twice a year.
Can I use what I own?
Don’t upgrade just because a new version exists.
Can I return it?
Check sizing, materials and the seller’s current returns policy before buying.
Gym accessories FAQ
Do beginners need lifting straps?
No. Many beginners can train without them. Consider straps or grips later if holding the bar repeatedly limits the work you want to do.
Are expensive gym accessories always better?
No. More expensive doesn’t automatically mean more useful. Compare the features, construction, fit and how often you will use the item.
What’s the first gym accessory I should buy?
Start with the essentials your gym doesn’t provide and the items your training genuinely requires. For most people, that means basics before specialist accessories.
Editorial note: These are general buying considerations, not claims that any accessory will improve results for everyone. Product features and offers can change.
Got a gym-bag hot take?
Compare notes with the IGD crew. We’re always up for a debate about gear we don’t need.