I’ve been in and out of fitness for most of my life.
I’m an avid gym-goer now, and I play hockey, but it hasn’t been a smooth journey. I’ve played various sports for over 12 years and picked up my fair share of injuries along the way — including multiple shoulder dislocations on both sides and long-lasting knee issues that sent me back and forth to physio more times than I’d like.
Because of that, I’ve experienced that frustrating cycle of:
- starting training
- getting injured
- stopping
- trying to “start again”
More times than I can count.
What I’ve learned the hard way is this:
the accessories that matter aren’t the flashy ones — they’re the ones that help you warm up properly, train consistently, and stay injury-free enough to keep showing up.
I’ve bought plenty of fitness gear that never got used. These are the accessories that didn’t end up at the bottom of a cupboard. The last one is on my desert island list of only 5 items to bring.
Rechargeable Magnetic Hand Warmers
Okay okay hear me out.. Cold hands are one of those small things that can quietly ruin a session — especially in winter, early mornings, or when you’re training after work. These rechargeable magnetic hand warmers are a game. changer.
I initially got them for my winter-time hockey playing, because hands are pretty important in hockey as you can imagine. Now I can’t leave the house without them if it’s cold!
It sounds silly but they genuinely helped me so much to stay consistent. My biggest challenge staying consistent was not wanting to leave the house because it was too cold!!
Resistance Bands
I refused to use these for years.. now I’m buying them every 6 months because I’m wearing them out. Resistance bands are one of the most useful tools I’ve ever owned, especially after shoulder injuries.
I use them for:
- shoulder warm-ups
- activation work
- rehab-style movements
- light training on low-energy days
When you’ve dislocated shoulders before, warming up properly stops being optional. Bands make it easier to ease into sessions without jumping straight into heavy loads.
They’re cheap, portable, and versatile — which is exactly why they actually get used.
Core Sliders
Core sliders are one of those accessories that don’t look impressive but end up being incredibly useful. And a mere 5 minutes a day will seriously help you get that core stronger. And stronger core means stronger everything.
I use them for:
- core work
- hamstring exercises
- warm-ups
- low-impact movements when joints are feeling rough
They’re joint-friendly, quiet, and easy to use at home or in the gym. On weeks where motivation is low or my knees don’t feel great, sliders still let me move without pushing things too far.
They’re simple — and that’s why they don’t get ignored.
Wrist Wraps
I avoided wrist wraps for a long time, but after years of hockey and shoulder issues, they started to make sense.
Wrist wraps aren’t about lifting more weight — they’re about:
- feeling supported
- reducing unnecessary strain
- staying comfortable during pressing movements
When shoulders have been unstable in the past, everything upstream matters. Wrist wraps feel preventative rather than aggressive, and they help me train without constantly worrying about small aches turning into bigger problems. To be brutally honest, I’ve tried a few different ones.. and I think you don’t need to break the bank for these..
They’re one of those items you don’t use every session — but when you need them, you really need them.
Foam Roller
Okay I’m actually very passionate about these. I think it should be a law that anyone over 25 needs to recovery just meant more time off later. A foam roller helps me:
- loosen up before training
- reduce stiffness afterwards
- keep my knees and hips moving properly
It doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple, medium-density roller is enough for most people, and once it becomes part of your routine, it’s hard to go without.
15 minutes a day keeps the physio away.
Why These Accessories Stick Around
After years of inconsistency, injuries, and restarts, I’ve realised that the best fitness accessories share a few things in common:
- they’re simple
- they reduce injury risk
- they support warm-ups and recovery
- they don’t require huge effort or motivation
- they fit into real life
You don’t need a massive collection of gear. A small set of reliable accessories that help you stay consistent is far more valuable than buying new equipment every few months.
These are the fitness accessories that earned their place in my routine — not because they’re exciting, but because they actually get used.
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