No Conformity Co Doesn’t Believe You Should Wear Boring Fitness Gear

Let’s face it: when it comes to weightlifting accessories, the products can be, shall we say, a little bland — at least, in the style department. In addition, put your wrist wraps, lifting straps and lifting belts through daily training and these gym go-tos will eventually hit a breaking point in terms of function.

This doesn’t need to be the norm, though. You can have quality lifting accessories that look as good as they perform — which is exactly what No Conformity Co aims to deliver.

With an against-the-grain attitude and dedication to making “dope” fitness gear that innovates and excites, NoCo offers a number of weightlifting accessories ready to tackle every workout.

To see if these offerings makes an impact or just makes noise, we tested the entire lineup of accessories to see how high NoCo has raised the bar with their stable of wrist wraps, lifting straps, lifting belts and arm trainers. Are these the revolutionary products the gym community has been waiting for, or are they merely rebranded versions of the same song and dance?

Here’s what we found.

The NoCo Lifting Belt is a breath of fresh air

No Conformity Co

NoCo Lifting Belt

• $139.00 at noconformity.co

One piece of equipment that immediately caught our eye was the NoCo Lifting Belt. At first glance, it resembles a typical nylon belt, but it definitely punches above its weight class with the innovations sewn in. The NoCo belt, according to the brand, is the only belt providing full support to the abdominal area thanks to the inclusion of the Front Ab Plate. When getting under a heavy squat, the front surface made bracing much easier and I definitely felt the support all around.

The Front Ab Plate also features a track for the belt to sit in when tightened, which helps keep everything in place during lifts. The hook and loop locking system was easy to maneuver and getting the belt on was a breeze, too.

Aesthetically, I don’t think you could ask for more. Available in four colorways, the NoCo Lifting Belt definitely makes a statement with its colorful zig-zag stitching and aluminum buckle. Some of the threads could be prone to fraying down the road, but only time will tell if that comes to fruition.

The ArmTrainer is the bicep training accessory I never knew I needed

No Conformity Co

NoCo ArmTrainer

• $129.00 at noconformity.co

Training your biceps might seem easy enough — just rep out those curls — but we’re all guilty of losing form and swinging the weights on occasion. With NoCo’s ArmTrainer, this bad habit is left at the door, which helps fully isolate the muscle for better time under tension.

The NoCo ArmTrainer resembles a typical arm blaster, but this accessory offers more than just isolated standing curls. The hook and loop strap can be worn around the body or neck for slow, conscious bicep training and can also be cinched onto a weight bench for preacher or incline curls as well. I did find, however, that when worn on the body, the ArmTrainer was less secure than when worn around my neck. NoCo also eliminates a problem common to arm blasters in that these lifting accessories are often bulky and cumbersome.

To store the ArmTrainer, you simply unlock the pull-down tab at the end of each arm pad and slide them off for a more compact profile. This space-saving feature is nice — I had no problem fitting the ArmTrainer in my bag when not in use — but will probably keep this accessory stored elsewhere on off days. However, it’s nice to know that when I need to train arms, it won’t be a burden to tote this accessory to the gym.

Simple additions make all the difference with Lifting Straps and Wrist Wraps

No Conformity Co

NoCo Lifting Strap

• $34.00 at noconformity.co

Straps and wraps can be great additions to any bag, providing security and support for big lifts when used appropriately. Oftentimes, our wrists and grip will fail before our muscles do, so by wearing these helpful accessories you can navigate your training more efficiently.

There’s a pretty standard design when it comes to lifting straps and wrist wraps, so I wasn’t surprised when NoCo’s products fell into the recognizable silhouettes. The additions that were made, however, proved to be simple, yet very effective.

Turning first to the Lifting Straps, I found the neoprene to be very comfortable during rows and deadlifts. The straps were easy to put on, and the ballistic nylon reinforcements should be good for the long haul. The Icon and Urban Army colorways are tasteful, too, providing just enough style without being obnoxious — it’s a lifting strap, after all.

For the Wrist Wraps, again, not a ton of barrier-breaking technology. Available in two wrap varieties — double for mild to medium support and triple for medium to strong support — these NoCo accessories were a welcomed addition on push days. The NoCo Wrist Wraps provided enough stability for benching and other presses, and weren’t uncomfortable to put on.

The key feature of note, however, is the added hook and loop tab on the thumb loop. If you’re like me, you don’t like to keep the thumb loop on your digit once the wrap is, well, wrapped. This added tab helps you tuck away the loop when lifting, keeping it securely out of the way. A simple addition, but a nice touch nonetheless.

No Conformity Co

NoCo Wrist Wrap

• $44.00 at noconformity.co

No Conformity Co Fitness Gear: The Verdict

With innovations aplenty and prices that easily compare to the competition, NoCo’s lineup is definitely worth considering. The Lifting Belt and ArmTrainer stand out, for sure, but the touches given to its Lifting Straps and Wrist Wraps are also noteworthy. Plus, if you want your gear to have attitude, these picks can definitely provide that aesthetic.

Revolutions don’t happen overnight, and adopting innovations takes time. But if the current stable is any indication, NoCo is well on its way to raising the bar for weightlifting accessories.

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