Quick Questions About Powerlifting Equipment

You're new and all the bros keep talking about powerlifting equipment but there's a problem... You just learned about the big three, what does equipment have to do with it?

Well, to get you started on the road to greatness here are some common questions about strength training equipment.

Do I NEED Powerlifting Equipment?

You aren't required to get powerlifting equipment to start lifting, in fact, you may want to wait a while before you do!

However, if you want to set PR's or compete in the long run, you will want to make that initial investment.

There are too many benefits not to do so. From better performance to safer form and execution, adding powerlifting equipment to your collection is going help you achieve your fitness goals.

What EXACTLY Does Powerlifting Equipment Do?

Powerlifting equipment in it's simplest form, is a way to either ADD stability to a lift or remove the fear of something going wrong.

Neither of these is a bad way to use equipment, but that's not the worst you can do.

Here's a quick list as to what each piece of equipment does:

Sleeves: Keep your knees happy when you squat (we will talk about elbow sleeves at a later date)
Wrist Wraps: Helps give your wrists stability on pushing movements and also when you you are squatting potentially.
Belts: These handy pieces of equipment helps create stability in your core. Either when you are squatting or deadlifting (occasionally on bench, but wait for the bench article for that)
Straps: This wraps around the bar to make it so that your grip don't slip. This can be used really effectively on pulling equipment.

How Should I Care For My Powerlifting Equipment?

This depends on what equipment you purchase but generally, if you sweat and walk through clouds of chalk, you'll need to wash it more often than you think.

There are a few ways you can take of your equipment, but the way to make it last the longest is handwash your gear and let it air dry.

If you want kill that stink on a more natural path, use a diluted white vinegar solution in combination with the laundry soap. Just let that piece of equipment soak before rinsing.

Should I Wear Powerlifting Equipment Through the Full Session?

The shortest answer is "Probably Not"

The idea with wearing it is to help give confidence while you lift, keep you safe or even help you focus on a particular part of your body.

Here’s a quick checklist of when we recommend wearing the powerlifting equipment throughout your workout:

Sleeves: Working Sets on Leg Days
Wrist Wraps: Working sets of pushing movements. Potentially on Deadlifts as well
Belts: Working Sets On Leg Days and wherever you feel potential need for stability
Straps: Heavy working sets where you don't want grip to be a limiting factor

You can improve your "raw" strength while also increasing your strength through equipment. They are not mutually exclusive.

Use that equipment to give you an edge while not completely relying on it.

Will My Powerlifting Equipment Wear Out and Become Loose?

Yes, wraps, straps, sleeves and belts all wear out and down over time.

However if you follow out tips mentioned above for care, you will get the best out of your equipment for as long as possible.

What Should My Equipment Be Made out of?

Depending on the equipment, you’ll want to opt for the highest quality material. Here’s a quick checklist:

Knee wrap: heavy-duty elastic nylon with double stitching
Knee sleeves: neoprene
Elbow wrap: elastic nylon
Elbow sleeves: neoprene
Belts: leather

Equip Yourself for the Future

There have been studies that demonstrated how equipment can help you improve your strength training performance and keep you from getting hurt.

There’s a reason that powerlifting equipment is so popular: it works.

Make sure you follow along with this recurring series as we dive deeper into the different kinds of powerlifting equipment into the future!

FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY

If you are looking to follow and learn from some amazing people and powerlifters follow the links below or read this article for some great stories. Or if you are looking for programming, you can find one of our free programs here or you can reach out to one of our team members to see how to take your training to the next level.