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Never leave home without it. |
GEAR
Gear, what you need for the games. Well being that I am a gear whore; I
bring a ton of shit with me. This has always been the case. Being
under prepared was always much worse for me than having way to much
stuff. With all the variety of situations that you will encounter at
the games I like being ready for it all. I will break down everything I
keep in my travel box.
Chances are that someone out there will have all of this available and
be a good enough guy to lend you some of it. Think of this as a lucky
draw and don’t count on it. Bring your own stuff, be prepared, and
don’t be that guy every game. People will remember and start to hate
you. Here is the stuff that travels with me to every games. This is
for the most part the same stuff you need for heavy training in the gym
so you should familiarize yourself with all of it.
Gloves:
I
know the Euros don’t use gloves so if that applies to you skip this. I
use two different types of gloves, both of which are basic and you can
get at any home improvement store.
I
use a thicker leather glove with a ball cinch on the back. This is for
anything I am hook gripping. This glove has been the biggest
improvement for me in the games. I can take a huge volume of throws
with it and never damage my thumb.
The
other glove is just some simple thin leather mechanic gloves for
hammer. This accomplishes a couple of things: easy clean up of tacky in
games and training and tacky sticks to them since they don’t sweat.
Shoes:
Here
is where I get crazy in my packing. I typically have 5 pair of shoes
in my box all for varying events or conditions. I may only use three of
them for a games but I feel better being ready.
Hammer
boots are a must. These are nothing fancy. They are the cheapest pair
of boots that I could find and I bolted my blades to them.
http://www.firsttothefinish.com/items.asp?Cc=fw_foot_javelin" rel="nofollow - Javelin boots
are my main shoe. I use these for all the distance events and sheaf. I
like them more than the rubber cleats. The spikes are minimal and I
have never felt them slip. I can also change out spikes according to
what the surface feels like. They rotate easily and still grab for
driving. They are as close to feeling like throwing shoes in the grass I
have found.
http://www.roguefitness.com/gear-apparel/shoes.php" rel="nofollow - Weight lifting shoes
for me are the best for weight for height. Since I am for the most
part doing a single arm snatch I like the position they put me in for
the pull. They also make for having a great stable base and raised
heel. If it works in the gym why not work on the field? A good pair of
these is worth every penny
The
last two I carry with me are extras for special circumstances. They
don’t often get used, but I am glad I have them when I needed them.
Soccer cleats and simple running shoe, if the ground gets too hard for
spikes I use regular shoes and soccer cleats if it is really muddy.
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_16541_-1?color=Pink&Ntt=athletic+tape&Ntk=All" rel="nofollow - Tape:
I
carry about 6 rolls of athletic tape with me to all games. It is
pretty much duct tape for an athlete. I will use to tape on my gloves,
shoe repair, hammer grip, fork grip, fixing torn calluses, and holding
my knee together. Don’t go without it.
http://jackalsgym.com/store.aspx?cat_id=RH" rel="nofollow - Knee Sleeves:
Knee
Sleeves are something every strength athlete needs to be aware of and
most are. There is a reason that everyone has the blue neoprene sleeves
on for every sport. They are amazing and will work as your new wooby.
You will wonder how you ever trained without the added warmth and
support. These are great for throwing and will help keep your knees
warm all day. They will smell like death however so wash them or don’t
and have everyone talk about you smelling like a garbage dump.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=114&pid=3017" rel="nofollow - Wrist Wrap:
Wrist
wraps are going to be based on your personal preference of thickness
and length. I use one that is short and thin. I just realized it
sounds like I am talking about your preference in junk. Oh well. You
can also use tape, but that will get expensive with throwing in
training. Some of the thinner ones will allow for the wrists to flex
back more in the stone while still supporting it. That is what I like
if you have other needs pick your accordingly.
http://www.prowriststraps.com/inc/sdetail/24525/109557" rel="nofollow - Chalk:
Chalk
is great for stones and some people use it for WOB as well. I
personally use it only for stones. Keeps the neck dry and gives more
grip on stones. With stones typically being a 1st event this will be very handy since the ground will still be wet with dew.
Towels:
Towels
are great to have and no one wants to share a sweat rag with you. That
is how people get staph infections. So bring a nasty towel from home
or liberate some of the ones from your hotel the night before. It is
great for drying off and cleaning implements that are wet and muddy.
This thing will be awful by the end of a games so wash it
occasionally. Or be a gentleman and return it to the hotel and they
can clean it.
http://www.inzernet.com/detail_belt.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOREVER_LEVER_10MM" rel="nofollow - Belt:
Belts
are good to have with you. I only use my heavy lifting belt for WOB.
My heavy belt is a 13mm leather Lever Belt. This is another must have
thing in your gear arsenal. I also carry a http://www.physioroom.com/product/Vulkan_Back_Support/2031/37068.html" rel="nofollow - neoprene belt
that is great for getting the low back warm. This belt will not be
much support but will help if you have some soreness. Also a belt can
be the difference in backing out do to back pain or finishing strong
with added support.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=114&pid=495" rel="nofollow - - niments:
Liniments are like
external lubricant for the gears. Use these to help with getting the
joints warm and alleviating some pain or soreness. There are lots of
thee available but what I have always stuck with are Equi-block, Tiger
Balm, or any other capsaicin based rubs. If you are not familiar with
these types of products I highly recommend them. However with that when
you start using them start light. Tiger Balm is the lightest of the
three. The other two should be considered like Nuclear weapons, not the
first choice but if you need the job done they are the ones you want.
Both of these will heat up and get very uncomfortable if too much is
used. I know that despite my disclaimer you will go into this full
force and ruin a training period by using too much. So enjoy.
http://www.physioroom.com/product/Vulkan_Warm_Pants_1.5mm_/2244/36127.html" rel="nofollow - Neoprene Shorts:
Neoprene
shorts are going to work the same as the knee sleeves or belt but for
your hips and legs. Many games start with cold mornings this will help
get things feeling mobile quicker and give a little support at the same
time. Plus they make you look awesome and you can take them off when
the day gets warmer.
PVC Roller:
A
PVC Roller is great cause at 6” diameter and less than a foot long it
will fit in your bag and you can shove other shit in it. This thing
works better than a foam roller and is only about $6.00. Spending
sometime on here will help in loosening all the busted scar tissue and
sinew that has been keeping you together.
http://store.sorinex.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=bands" rel="nofollow - Stretch Bands:
Stretch
bands are great not just for looking like you know what you are doing
in the gym or showing how dynamic your lifts are. They are great for
stretching and warming up. Keeping one of these handy can take care of
warming up everything from shoulders with some face pull to your
hamstrings and low back with good mornings. You can also use it to
launch things at your fellow competitors.
These items travel the world with me. I make sure I have all of them
in my box and when packed carefully it still all comes in under 50lbs.
So not all of this may be for you but it is what I use. Check it out
and figure out your own supply.
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artfully posed items |