I’m wanting to enter a powerlifting meet, but have never used a squat suit or bench shirt before. What would be good as a first suit and bench shirt on a university student’s budget? I was thinking of the Inzer Z-suit or Inzer Champion because they seem pretty affordable, which would be better and what exactly is the difference. Should I bother buying some kind of briefs for under the suit and which knee wraps are good and affordable (so far groove briefs are the only briefs I’ve seen that I could afford). As far as shirts go I don’t even really have one in mind, any suggestions?
Thanks in advance, I know I’m pretty clueless when it comes to different types of equipment it’s just hard to piece together random info from various threads on the topic.
What kind of meet are you entering? USAPL, APF, IPA…etc? DIfferent federations have different restrictions on equipment so it would be helpful to know which one you are planning on attending. I lift in the USAPL and if you are considering a USAPL meet I highly recommend Titan gear. The DUAL Quad or Centurion for a squat suit (the dual quad is a slightly more expensive custom fitted centurion) and a Fury for a bench shirt. If you go with Titan order your stuff well in advance of the meet because they are always a little backed up due to high demand for their product.
I’m preparing for my first bench meet in March. I went ahead and ordered a Titan Fury since I’ve read so many positive things about this shirt. It’s only $85 and you can either get a custom or tell them your measurements over the phone and they can see if they have one in your size.
The other option is indeed Inzer. Cost/turnaround time wise, you can order from the store on the Inzer site.
And what Peyton said: the type of equipment you can use is dependent upon the meet’s Fed rules. USAPL, from what I understand is the more stringent of the PL Feds.
Is it absolutely essential to use a shirt or Squat suit.
I’m hoping to enter a powerlifting meet later this year.
I’m just coming to the end of my first Westside cycle and would like to do two more before competing.
My lifts are roughly
SQ-200Kg - 440lbs
DL-220Kg - 484lbs
BE-170Kg - 374lbs
I haven’t tested max yet but will do next week. These figures are just under what I plan to do. I’ve already done 200kg for DL and my form could’ve been better so when I come to do it again I should be a lot better.
I’ve done 160Kg in the Bench before and have just done 160kg for 1 on pin presses.
I did 180Kg on Squat months ago so hopefully that should be ok…
I don’t use straps, gloves or knee wraps. I also don’t use vitamin ‘S’.
When I come to go to the meet I’m hoping that my numbers will be about
SQ - 250Kg/550lbs
DL - 250Kg/550lbs
BE - 200kg/440lbs
I need to find out but hopefully that will be good enough for my weight class - 100Kg
My opinion on entering your first meet is go 9/9. Don’t spend a bunch of time trying to learn gear when you should be focusing on getting lifts passed. Gym lifts usually don’t amount to a pinch of shit, particularly in your first 3 meets. Open with something you can do with the flu and go from there. It’s not where you start, but where you finish. Walk away from the first one feeling like you left some weight on the platform.
Here is a good example. We are helping mentor a college kid, and he has done his first two meets in a singlet. He has been working a Fury, primarily because he is chasing an American Open Junior record. The reason we got involved with him is because at his first meet he almost decapitated himself on his third bench attempt. He had not spent nearly enough time in that shirt coming into the meet. He took his first two attempst raw b/c he was nervous in the shirt. Not a good strategy. He would have been way better off leaving it at home that day and just going 9/9. He will wear my z-suit this Saturday.
I think a z suit is a great starter suit. Check out the bargain rack on www.inzernet.com. You may get lucky.
The difference b/t the z and champion is the leg openings. The z is a lot less comfortable than a champion, but much more effective b/c the legs stay put. Buy the z. It will also teach you to tolerate some discomfort which is inevitable with gear use.
For wraps, I like the z wraps (inzer) better for wrist wraps, and I like the Titan THP’s for competition knee wraps. However, the THP’s do not make particularly good training wraps b/c they wear out quickly. Grab a pair of z wraps for training.
Stubob, if you are planning on competing on a high level, gear is imperative. For your first meet, go with what you can afford and what you are comfortable in. Get some lifts passed and gain some experience. I can guarantee it will change your perspective and you will go into the second meet much more prepared. Just get in there and get one under your belt ASAP.
Nothing I like more than two guys heading into their first meet. Good luck! PM me if you have any more questions.