My Trip to the Sporting Goods Store to Buy Basics

[Tmax55]

So today I went to the sporting goods store to purchase a dip belt since my morning gym doesn't have one and I thought that rather than look for my knee wraps in my basement (still in a box from my last move) - I'd just get more of them.

This is what I experienced:

Literally dozens of ab roller type things with pictures of semi attractive people and terms like "sculping" and "toning" on the packaging. 15 different types of hand wraps for MMA. Finger strengthing items. Pull up bars (these are ok), an apperatus for lifting neck weights (I've no idea what this is called), hooks for deadlifting (I even eschew wrist wraps), 20 or so different (crappy) cardio machines best used as coat racks. Wrist weights (I've no idea what this is), dumbells advertized up to 100 pounds, but only up to 60 pounds in the store (better do those dumbell rows at the end of your back workout or better yet - forget about them). About 15 different products (many of which looked like coosh balls) for relaxing your muscles after working out, benches, complete with weights up to 300 pounds (because 300 is all you'll ever aspire to), no squat racks, no dip belt. no knee wraps.

Some of that stuff is ok, but seriously? People must purchase that stuff.

[p_gomez]

Im not sure what the problem is here.

Did an associate not greet you properly?

[mcours2006]

What were you expecting? There are people out there who do things other than a 5x5 program. Not better or worse. Just as valid.

[lthompson94]

Big box sporting good stores are good for entry level stuff, but once you specialize and get more particular needs, you probably need a specialty store or online merch. Especially with weight lifting and general home fitness gear... I think most of the time people just join a gym and are done with it, depleting the marketability.

I was kind of shocked when I was building my home gym at the level of utter crap in there too, for my purposes anyway. I never thought there was a such thing as "crappy" steel plates, until SA Gear

[fpena]

Well remember the basics aren't very sexy to sell if you're the retailer.

The gimmicky goods on the the other hand are "new and improved" so people come back and buy them every month.

But for a squat rack, why keep one displayed when it looks boring and/or intimidating and almost anyone who wants one knows where to order one online?

Unfortunately since they are paying for floor space they are going to want to only display what sells quickly.

[headintosa]

My only workout tools, a dip belt and wrist straps for back. Nothing more and nothing less and I forget the dip belt half the time

[Do_Somethin]

My only workout tools, a dip belt and wrist straps for back. Nothing more and nothing less and I forget the dip belt half the time

You should try weights too.

[ajdahlheimer]

Big box sporting good stores are good for entry level stuff, but once you specialize and get more particular needs, you probably need a specialty store or online merch.

This. You can't even find a half-legit belt at a place like Dick's Sporting Goods. And totally agree regarding the dumbells. I have a hex set like the pic below. Started with 25 through 45 when I first bought the set 10 years ago, and just grabbed two of the next weight up as I got stronger. It's ridiculously hard to find box stores that have them once you want over 60 pounders.

[Silentpoet]

Go down the board to the equipment forum. Lots of good advice on gear/equipment.

[weiss1967]

Yes, OP, people buy those things. Hand wraps are good for boxing. Pull up bar are also good for pullups, and so on. If you don't do these kinds of things it is entirely your problem. Neck training is one neglected child in ALL lifting routines, and neck harness is hard to find. For yeard I was doing all kinds of things to attach weights to my head. Wrist weights are also very specialized and much needed in certain type of training that you know fokk all about.

[discdoggie]

You should try weights too.

Lol