100% Raw Poll

Training Powerlifting
61

[quote]firebug9 wrote:

Many of the Strong Man competitors also use Powerlifting gear – suits and wraps…

[/quote]

I disagree. As one who has competed in both strongman and pwerlifting, I can say that for the most part strongman is on a whole more raw.
the only gear I see some guys using is forearm coverings to keep from getting bruised and scratch from the stone lifts. or wrapping the hands to the bar in car deadlift. and most contests allow tacky for stones. so yes you could say there are some aids.

but for the most part because strongman events require so much movement it’s disadvantageous to wear gear that impedes movement.

62

[quote]sumabeast wrote:
firebug9 wrote:

Many of the Strong Man competitors also use Powerlifting gear – suits and wraps…

I disagree. As one who has competed in both strongman and pwerlifting, I can say that for the most part strongman is on a whole more raw.
the only gear I see some guys using is forearm coverings to keep from getting bruised and scratch from the stone lifts. or wrapping the hands to the bar in car deadlift. and most contests allow tacky for stones. so yes you could say there are some aids.

but for the most part because strongman events require so much movement it’s disadvantageous to wear gear that impedes movement.
[/quote]

I disagree with your disagreement. At the top levels you will see strongmen competitors wearing gear. off the top of my head, Kevin Nee in a deadlift suit, and marius pudzianowski in a squat suit and knee wraps.

63

[quote]Raw Power wrote:
Matt wrote:
Raw Power, not to speak for Hanley, but I don’t think he is referring to you. If only more of the raw lifters shared your beliefs, powerlifting as a whole would be just a little bit better.

Most though only care to bash equipped lifters and I think those are the ones Hanley is referring to.

Stay strong

You’re right…I didn’t think Hanley was referring to me. I just wanted to expand on the point that he was making because it was a good one and valid.

Training and competing with gear is an art and tricky because there are many more variables that come into play. I know that equipped lifters are strong. Some things I have seen haven’t made any sense, but that’s just the way it is. For example, at one USAPL meet I went to a lifter I knew did a 500 bench with a single-ply shirt. He stated that he could barely squeek out 395x1 without a shirt. I was amazed at the carry-over with just a single ply and I thought he should be able to rep out with 395 if he could put up 500 with a single-ply shirt. Anyway, like I said, it’s an art form to learn how to use the gear and get the most out of it.

Raw lifters, like myself, need to understand that we are the minority in the sport of powerlifting. If raw lifters don’t like what is going on in the sport they can either get out of it or compete the way they want and shut up.

I chose to compete the way that I train and also decided to keep my mouth shut at meets on what my own personal views are unless directly asked. Even then I doubt I would say anything while at a meet. When I am asked why I am not wearing gear I simply respond, “I like competing without it”. That’s usually the end of it and then we all continue on with the meet cheering each other on. [/quote]

Matt’s right, I wasn’t refering to you.

Honestly it’s refreshing to see someone with such a balanced view. Equipped lifting is just disgustingly draining. It’s weird being at raw comps or doing raw max attempts and not having to worry about gear. It’s cool to be able to take a break from it too tho.

64

[quote]robo1 wrote:
Wordwreckin wrote:
Taping your ankle or wrist does not make them stronger.

really? then why wrap them…
[/quote]

It doesn’t make you stronger, it increases the hydrostatic pressure inside of the joint helping to prevent injury.
P.S I have no idea what hydrostatic pressure is, it is just something that I read. Oh wait… I guess that means I don’t really know if it makes you strong or not. Damn, I wanted everybody to think I am smart.
:slight_smile:

65

with all due respect, the gear verses raw debate IS NOT absurd, no more than the designated hitter debate in baseball is absurd, the college bowl BCS vs Playoff debate is absurd, etc.

what is “tired” is all the people who try to shout down any discussion of this.

um, free country, adults, we will talk about whatever we want to. ok?

though i no longer compete, i love PL, and its history, and i like talking about it.

that is different from some 18 y/o internet smart-ass who has never competed chiming in to a pl thread with: “gear is teh-ghey” bullshit.

i am not here to discount anybodies lifts, geared or not, but to talk about the direction i would like to see the sport go in.

gear right now is at an extreme, i think it would be good if could be scaled back some and sme limits placed on how much supportive stuff you can wear. thats all. no big deal.

if you disagree, that’s fine, just do not take it so fucking personal.

grow up.

66

[quote]heavythrower wrote:
with all due respect, the gear verses raw debate IS NOT absurd, no more than the designated hitter debate in baseball is absurd, the college bowl BCS vs Playoff debate is absurd, etc.

what is “tired” is all the people who try to shout down any discussion of this.

um, free country, adults, we will talk about whatever we want to. ok?

though i no longer compete, i love PL, and its history, and i like talking about it.

that is different from some 18 y/o internet smart-ass who has never competed chiming in to a pl thread with: “gear is teh-ghey” bullshit.

i am not here to discount anybodies lifts, geared or not, but to talk about the direction i would like to see the sport go in.

gear right now is at an extreme, i think it would be good if could be scaled back some and sme limits placed on how much supportive stuff you can wear. thats all. no big deal.

if you disagree, that’s fine, just do not take it so fucking personal.

grow up.

[/quote]

I assume that’s at me?

Sounds like you’re getting pretty personal there… (I kid, I kid!!)

It’s rare to see a debate on gear usage that doesn’t descend into a flame war, I don’t know if you frequent other strength boards but that’s the norm on any I’ve been on that haven’t been populated exclusively (or at least in the majority) by PL’ers.

Free country…? I’m Irish, Jamfly’s Scottish afaik… it’s a world wide debate :wink:

67

haha, maybe not you exclusively, but whatever.

i understand, the flame wars are ridiculous,

anyhow, merry Christmas! hope all is well with you and your family.

68

[quote]heavythrower wrote:
haha, maybe not you exclusively, but whatever.

i understand, the flame wars are ridiculous,

anyhow, merry Christmas! hope all is well with you and your family. [/quote]

HT, you’re the man when refering to raw lifting, I’ve seen your vids. Belts and wrist wraps are fine by me.