Weightlifting gloves and belt

The Cowboy

Hi guys,

Just started a new weights routine last week and am in need of some gloves and a belt. Any suggestions on where to pick them up? Ideally over the weekend, in a dublin city store or online with quick delivery. No cheap argos/lifestyle jobs though.

Thanks for any help.

Transform

Yes use your own!

Gloves my be necessary if your delicate hands are important to your job but a belt should only be used to hold up your trousers.

rubadub

I use sort of work gloves, cloth with rubber grippy covering. Great for chinning & pullups.

No real need for a belt, some say it works against you since it supports you too much so you do not use/develop the muscles you would otherwise use. So in the real world if you go to lift without your belt you could do yourself an injury. I think it is only really needed if you are working near your 1rep max weight.

Money Shot

I don't see the need for either tbh. The less equipment you have to get ready the better. I've seen guys wrapping straps around their hands for 50kg deadlifts, and 30 kilo bicep curls.
I don't see the need for gloves, but if you get them, make sure they are proper as ill fitting and inappropriate gloves can be dangerous.

No need for a belt either - as the other posters have said - using proper form is the safest thing for your back.

The Cowboy

Ok, well then i have another issue.
Im 25, 5`7", 71kg. The focus of my new routine is on building mass. Obviously strength gains will also be had. Im eating plenty of calories, foods in the right balance and taking my supplements.
Im doing a split routine, mostly compounds with 1-2 isolations per bodypart.
Mon - Legs
Tues - Shoulders and Tris
Thurs - Back
Fri - Chest and Bis
Im just not sure if i have the right weight, rep, set balance right.
Im currently doing 3 x 8-10 at 65% - 80% of my 1RM. Increasing weight or reps within range as my 1RM increases. Is this optimal for what i want to achieve?
Or should i be doing it like this, for example, Set 1 70% 12reps, Set 2 85% 6reps, Set 3 95% 2 reps?

Any help appreciated.

Money Shot

Your diet is an even bigger part in mass building than the way you train, so assuming that is reasonable, and to quote Tmb

One book i read (cant remember the name but it was endorsed by arnie) showed this table:
80-100% rpm: 1-3 reps X 5 sets = strength gains
50-70% rpm: 4-8 reps X 4 sets = A combination of both strength and size gains
40-60% rpm: 10-15 reps X 3 sets = Size gains
30% rpm: 15 or over reps X 2 sets = Muscular Endurance
30-100% rpm: with any reps or sets with explosive speed = power gains

You should be maxed out on the last rep of the last set you shouldnt even be able to reach 10 reps, or just perform the last set with as many reps as possible till failure.


Personally, I've found sticking to mainly compound exercises work very well.