Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories

weightlifting checklist

Edited by Zach · updated Nov 1, 2026 · How I pick

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First straps Gymreapers Lifting Straps Best for deadlifts and rows when your grip quits before your back does$15-25Shop on Amazon
Budget belt Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt Best for a first belt for squats and deadlifts$50-100Shop on Amazon
One gym shoe Nike Metcon 10 Best for one shoe for lifting and classes$150-200Shop on Amazon

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You've got the gym membership. Now the gear question: what do the people with the big deadlifts actually wear?

Short answer: less than you'd think. Straps are the one thing most new lifters use right away, since your grip usually gives out before your back or legs on heavy pulls. Wraps help on heavy presses, a belt is for later once you can brace without one, and lifting shoes only matter if you squat a lot or your ankles are tight. Every pick comes from Garage Gym Reviews, whose certified trainers, coaches and an Olympic weightlifter used them in real training. Grab a shaker too, because the post-lift protein shake is half the fun. Each card shows the drawback Garage Gym Reviews called out, like straps that run big or a belt that's stiff at first.

Who this is not for. Skip this if you're building a gym at home; the Home Gym list has the dumbbells, kettlebells and bench.

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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

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01 Grip

the first pick is the one I would start with

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Gymreapers Lifting Straps	budget	$15-25	deadlifts and rows when your grip quits before your back does	1 outlet
Warm Body Cold Mind Weightlifting Straps Lasso Pro	mid	$15-25	your first pair of straps	1 outlet
Element 26 Padded Figure 8 Weightlifting Straps	mid	$25-50	max-effort deadlifts and shrugs	1 outlet

Best lifting straps

budget pick · 18 in

Gymreapers Lifting Straps

Best for deadlifts and rows when your grip quits before your back does

Garage Gym Reviews' best overall lifting straps: a comfortable, reliable lasso strap for everyday pulling that held up to heavy deadlifts.

Heads up. The cotton can tear on aggressively knurled barbells, and they take a few sets to learn to wrap

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Overall lifting straps.

$15-25

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mid pick · 21 in

Warm Body Cold Mind Weightlifting Straps Lasso Pro

Best for your first pair of straps

Garage Gym Reviews' best lifting straps for beginners: a versatile, affordable lasso strap that suits a range of exercises and feels solid once broken in.

Heads up. The padding can keep you from tightening the straps all the way, and wrapping takes practice at first

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best for Beginners lifting straps.

$15-25

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mid pick · 3 sizes

Element 26 Padded Figure 8 Weightlifting Straps

Best for max-effort deadlifts and shrugs

Garage Gym Reviews' best figure 8 straps: the neoprene padding made them far more comfortable than others its coach tried, and they lock your hand to the bar.

Heads up. Sizes run a bit large, and you can't bail on a lift easily

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Figure 8 Straps.

$25-50

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02 Wrists

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
WOD Nation Wrist Wraps	budget	under $15	presses and high-rep classes	1 outlet
Gymreapers Wrist Wraps	budget	$15-25	heavy bench and overhead press	1 outlet
Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps	mid	$25-50	cranky wrists on front squats and cleans	1 outlet

Best wrist wraps

budget pick · 12 or 18 in

WOD Nation Wrist Wraps

Best for presses and high-rep classes

Garage Gym Reviews' best wrist wraps for CrossFit: durable, budget-friendly Velcro wraps that balance support and flexibility for high-volume work.

Heads up. Thumb loops aren't reinforced, and the length may be too short for some lifters

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best for Crossfit wrist wraps.

under $15

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budget pick · 18 in

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Best for heavy bench and overhead press

Garage Gym Reviews' best heavy-duty wrist wraps: one of the more rigid wraps out there, built for PR attempts and heavy powerlifting.

Heads up. No palm covering, so they're not for hand protection

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best for Heavy Duty wrist wraps.

$15-25

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mid pick · 33 in

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

Best for cranky wrists on front squats and cleans

Garage Gym Reviews' best minimal wrist wraps: thin wraps designed to ease wrist pain while keeping your mobility.

Heads up. May not give enough support for some lifters, and most people need an adjustment period

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Minimal wrist wraps.

$25-50

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03 Belt

Best lifting belt

budget pick · XS to XXL

Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt

Best for a first belt for squats and deadlifts

Garage Gym Reviews' best budget weightlifting belt: a comfortable, affordable nylon belt for CrossFit and functional fitness.

Heads up. May be too flexible for very heavy lifters, and the quick-lock can be hard to cinch all the way down

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best budget weightlifting belt.

$50-100

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mid pick · XXXS to XXL

2POOD Straight Belt

Best for lifters who also do CrossFit-style workouts

Garage Gym Reviews' best nylon belt: a versatile, durable belt for dynamic lifts and CrossFit, though it lacks the stiffness of leather.

Heads up. Very firm for a nylon belt and almost uncomfortable at first, and not as durable as leather

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best nylon belt.

$50-100

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04 Shoes

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Nike Metcon 10	mid	$150-200	one shoe for lifting and classes	1 outlet
kcross Weightlifting Shoes	budget	$50-100	trying a lifting shoe without the big price	1 outlet
Nike Romaleos 4	splurge	$200-300	serious squats and Olympic lifts	1 outlet

Best lifting shoes

mid pick · Men's 3.5 to 15

Nike Metcon 10

Best for one shoe for lifting and classes

Garage Gym Reviews' best CrossFit weightlifting shoes: a versatile, durable cross-trainer with a stable heel plate that works as your one gym shoe.

Heads up. Less ideal for running, and the pronounced arch may bother flat feet

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best CrossFit Weightlifting Shoes.

$150-200

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budget pick · Men's 6.5 to 12

kcross Weightlifting Shoes

Best for trying a lifting shoe without the big price

Garage Gym Reviews' best budget weightlifting shoes: strong value, with a heel and outsole similar to pricier shoes.

Heads up. Limited sizes and no warranty

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best budget weightlifting shoes.

$50-100

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splurge pick · Men's 3.5 to 18

Nike Romaleos 4

Best for serious squats and Olympic lifts

Garage Gym Reviews' best weightlifting shoes overall: the most stable shoe its team has used, and worth it for serious lifters.

Heads up. Midfoot straps aren't as heavy duty as others, there's little breathability, and it's expensive

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best weightlifting shoes overall.

$200-300

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05 Fuel

Best shaker bottle

budget pick · 20 or 28 oz

Contigo Shake & Go Fit Shaker Bottle

Best for a cheap shaker for the car cup holder

Garage Gym Reviews' best budget shaker bottle: top-rack dishwasher safe, and it fits most cup holders.

Heads up. It's an older version of the Contigo Shake & Go, and it only comes in one color

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best budget shaker bottle.

under $15

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budget pick · 20-45 oz

BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle

Best for the classic post-workout protein shake

Garage Gym Reviews' best shaker bottle overall: more affordable than competitors and sold in sizes from 20 to 45 oz.

Heads up. Not odor resistant

1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best shaker bottle overall.

$15-25

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Questions people ask

Do beginners need a lifting belt?

Not right away. Garage Gym Reviews says beginners should learn proper form and be able to brace their core without a belt first, and says that if you never lift more than 80% of your max, you may not even need one.

Are lifting straps cheating?

No, but don't use them on every set. Garage Gym Reviews suggests straps for heavy pulls like deadlifts, rows and shrugs when grip gives out first, and training without them sometimes so your grip still gets stronger.

Do you need weightlifting shoes?

Only for some lifters. Garage Gym Reviews says a raised heel helps if your ankle mobility is limited, but if you squat comfortably in flat shoes you probably don't need them yet. A cross-trainer like the Metcon 10 can be your single gym shoe.

weightlifting checklist

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The must-haves