PLYOMETRIC JUMP PLATFORMS

To perform the depth jump plyometric drill you will need platforms of various heights. These platforms are 12, 18 and 24 inches (or 30, 45 and 60 cm).

Another option is to use a plyometric jump box in wich there are three heights in a single structure. In this model you have 12, 14 and 16 inches (or 30, 35 and 40 cm).

Regardless of which option you choose, if you are new to plyometrics training remember to always start from a lower height.

CHALK BALLS

When lifting with the Olympic to do deadlifts, cleans or snatches, it is advisable to impregnate magnesium in your hands to ensure grip and prevent the bar from slipping due to sweat from your fingers. This is especially more evident on hot days.

Magnesium is marketed in various forms. You can find it in chalk form, which raises a lot of dust when you put it on your hands. You will see traces of magnesium everywhere, with the danger of slipping if it has fallen too much to the ground. You can also find it in liquid, but it is not advisable because it usually irritates the skin because it contains alcohol as a component. But there is also a third form which is in chalk form packed in bags. This is the one I like.

You use the chalk ball in such a way that you pass it on the areas of the hand where you want it to be impregnated with magnesium (the fingertips and the distal part of the palm). In this way you can more easily control the amount of chalk you add and you don’t raise a lot of dust, staining everything around you. Once you have used the ball, I advise you to store it in a bag or other container so that it does not stain everything that is in contact with it with dust.

I bought a pack of 3 long time and I can assure you that each one lasts a long time. I haven’t finished the first one yet, so I have chalk for years. The only downside is that you can’t replenish the bags I have with chalk when they run out. But there are some bags now that can be replaced like the ones in the right image.

FRACTIONAL PLATES

As you gain experience and your strength level increases with the Olympic barbell lifts, the progression is no longer as rapid as it was at the beginning when you were a novice. While before you could allow yourself to increase the weight by 10 by 10 lb or by 5 by 5 lb from one session to the next depending on the exercise, the changes need to be more gradual over time. In lifts such as the bench press, the overhead press, the power clean or the power snatch, you will need to make 1 lb increments between sessions if you want to continue progressing. With plates up to 2 lb it is impossible to achieve this. This is why you will need to use fractional plates.

Fractional plates will give you more precision and more control in gradually increasing the weight. You will need at least a pair of 1/4 lb plates, another pairs of 1/2 lb, 3/4 lb and 1 lb. In this way you can go from 1 to 2 lb, from there to 3 lb (result of combining the two 1 lb plates with the two 1/2 lb plates), and finally to 4 lb (result of combining the two 1 lb plates with the two 3/4 lb plates and the two 1/4 plates). From there you can progress with a pair of 2.5 lb plates and from then on repeat the process again. You have no choice but to use this type of plates if you want to continue progressing, otherwise you will be condemned to stagnation.

RUBBER TILES 0.79 IN

If you want to build a gym in your home or plan to open one facing the public, to practice basic barbell lifts and olympic lifts, especially with high weights, you will need a surface that protects the floor and cushions vibrations when you drop the bar. This is why you will need to install rubber tiles with a minimum thickness of 4 cm (almost 1.6 in).

Superjare offers packs of 6 rubber tiles with a thickness of 0.79 inches and a dimension of 24 inches per side. My advice is to put 2 layers on top of each other to get the 4 cm thickness for weightlifting lifts.

In my particular case I have three 1 x 1 m tiles with a thickness of 4 cm to practice lifts such as the power clean. In this way I can drop the bar after lifting an already considerably high weight without having to gently place it on the ground, which consumes a lot of energy.

WEIGHT LIFTING BELT

As the weights become heavier, it is advisable to use a belt while performing your lifts. On the one hand, it will help you protect your spine, and on the other hand, it will make the Valsalva maneuver more effective by further increasing intra-abdominal pressure. This will allow you to lift even more weight easily.

Not all belts on the market are valid. The recommended closure system is the buckle because the tension you may need is not always the same from one session to the next. Furthermore, for the squat exercise it is recommended the belt have the same width throughout its length, so belts that become wider in the back area are not useful.

One of the most prestigious brands in belt manufacturing is Dominion Strength Training. You can find both 3” and 4” wide models.

POWERLIFTING SUITS

Here I show you several suit models from the prestigious Eleiko brand designed for Powerlifting practice. They are at a bargain price.

MEASURING TAPE

As absurd as it may seem, having a measuring tape at your disposal is of great help for several reasons that range from measuring the distance between cones or hurdles, to delimiting the distance to perform sprints when we are not on the track and we don´t have reference marks. The longer the tape, the better to be able to measure more meters in cases where you might need it.