71. STRAPS
Straps are short (one and a half to two feet) pieces of woven cloth that you wrap around a barbell, handle on a machine, or horizontal bar to give you a better grip. You'll quickly discover that on such exercises as deadlifts, shrugs, rows, chins, and pulldowns, you forearm grip will be the weakest link. Straps allow you to handle more weight in these exercises. As with weight belts, don't get too dependant on straps, it's better to allow the forearms to strengthen than assisting them all the time with straps.
72. WRIST PROTECTION
If you decide to use straps, a word of caution. Many bodybuilders place the straps directly over the bony extrusion located between the lower forearm and hand. This bump is really the meeting place for the ends of the radius and ulna (two bones that make up the forearm). These small bones were not designed to have hundreds of pounds placed on them, and this is the weight you'll be using down the road on exercises such as shrugs. The solution is to place the wrist straps above this area. If the straps cover any part of the wrist or hand, they are too low.
73. HI-TECH VS LOW-TECH STRAPS
You can purchase a set of fancy wrist straps for $15 or $20, or you can make your own for mere pennies. If you decide to make your own, use a strong piece of material. Martial arts belts, car seat belts and woven nylon are three dependable choices for making wrist straps. There are two styles of wrist straps. Some are straight at both ends. Others have a loop at one end that you feed the other end through. Neither style is better than the other. It comes down to personal preference.
74. HEAD STRAPS
This is nothing more than a special harness that fits over the head, allowing you to attach a weight to the other end. By moving the head in various directions (forward and back, side to side) you can strengthen the neck muscles. Be careful, as the neck muscles are very easy to strain. You'll probably get enough indirect neck stimualtion form the other exercises you'll be performing, such as upright rows, shrugs, etc.. but if you participate in sports where a strong neck is vital (judo, wrestling, football), you may want to consider direct neck training.
75. HEADBANDS
Also called sweatbands, headbands are another simple piece of equipment that will make a big difference to your workouts. Nothing is as irritating as getting sweat in your eyes. The problem is compounded if you are wearing contacts. Even those who train in an air-conditioned gym are not immune to having beads of sweat rolling dwon their forehead. For a few dollars (or mere pennies if you want to make your won) invest in a headband to soak up the mositure before it starts giving you a severe case of redeye.