‘Tis the season for winter bulking, but pretty soon, it’s going to be time for New Year’s resolutions, and that means long lines at the squat racks and bunches of gym bros begging to work in on your bench sets. It doesn’t have to be all bad, though — maybe the new year is your chance to start spending more time with your significant other in the gym.
If that’s the case, though, keep in mind how easy it is to feel intimidated when you’re stepping into a new gym, or any new situation — whether you’re a guy or girl. These gifts can help your special someone learn the ropes, look the part, and get ready to SFW right from the start.
1. Starting Strength
Everyone’s gotta begin at the beginning, and reading Starting Strength is a great way to get familiar with the whys and hows of strength training. It’ll get your new training partner started on basic exercise technique and programming, and save you a lot of time answering the questions that everyone has when they’re first starting out. Plus, even for advanced lifters, Starting Strength is a good reference to have available when your daily undulating plan starts to get confusing.
2. Sling Shot Strong 7MM Neoprene Knee Sleeves
Whether you lift raw or equipped, it’s always going to be important to protect your joints if you want your training career to last past Groundhog Day. STrong Sleeves are thick, comfy, and look pretty good, and they’ll help keep your knees warm and loose for heavy squats (and even for bench and deadlift if needed). Besides, if you go to a good gym, everyone will be rocking some type of knee sleeve, so you want your fam to fit in, too.
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STrong Sleeves are the full 30-cm length and 7-mm thickness allowed in most powerlifting federations, and in my experience, work a lot better than smaller or slimmer sleeves. I’m 5’8” and 210 pounds and I can squeeze into a pair of smalls, so don’t be afraid to size down for a few extra pounds on your squats. If that’s not your thing, order true to size for a more comfortable fit.
3. BenchBlokz 2, 3, 4, 5 Board
For most people, bench is one of the more frustrating lifts, especially if you’re just starting out and not blessed with the genetics for a jacked upper body. Training with overload is a great way to bust past bench plateaus, and nothing’s better for overload than board presses. Unfortunately, nobody wants to lug around a bunch of 2x4s.
BenchBlockz fix that problem, and, because they’re adjustable for everything from a 2 to 5-board range, you can share your partner’s regardless of how much of a size difference there is between you two. Just be careful not to use too much overload too soon — the last thing anyone (especially a new lifter) needs to deal with is injury. Not sure how to incorporate boards into your training? Follow this article and you can’t go wrong!
4. Premium 13MM P2 Power Belt
If you want to give a gift that’ll last a lifetime, this is it. The P2 Power Belt is smooth, just like you’ll look when your squeeze unwraps a present like this. Because it’s handmade and pre-treated, this belt will mold to its owner’s body and develop that rich, dark color that makes leather look so good. Even then, it’s so supple that it’s ready to go as soon as you take it out of the box, unlike other belts that need weeks to break in.
From a practical standpoint, it’s important to learn how to perform the power lifts using a belt right from the start. A belt helps provide a cue for proper bracing, because you can push your abs against it, and it provides extra support to help prevent injury. In my opinion, it’s best to go with the full 13-mm thickness, but if your significant other is on the petite side, you might consider the 6.5-mm version — it can be a bit more comfortable and still offers all the other benefits of its bigger brother.
5. Girl Tagline Next Level Tee
I’ll be honest, I just had my girlfriend pick out her favorite shirt so I’d know what to get her for Christmas. If you’re buying for a guy, you probably have better taste than I do, so go with your gut. Either way, looking the part goes a long way to feeling comfortable in the gym, and with an elitefts tee you know you’ve got the whole team behind you.
There are dozens of other gifts that any lifter would love to receive, but remember that none of them can replace support. If you’re lucky enough to get to train with your guy or girlfriend, take advantage of the opportunity and help each other get strong(er)!
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