I’m about to invest in both my first bench shirt and first squat suit in the near future, and I could use some input/suggestions.
Since I’m new to powerlifting my coach suggested that for my first shirt and suit I should probably go with a beginner’s/moderate tightness, and then after I learn to use them properly and after my first competition, move up to using competition grade equipment.
First off, do you guys think that this is necessary? And secondly, what would be some good brands to go with? We order the competition grade stuff through the team because it is discounted, but I was told that for this, it would be easier to just buy it on my own.
Daox- Ball State USAPL powerlifting team right?? You still doing the Blacksmith open?? I may do it but there is supposed to be a APF meet in Indy that same weekend, But hey for the USAPL I would go with the HPHD Inzer bench shirt single ply of course its ?$77$ you got to get it tight bud I mean relly fucking tight, as long as you do you will get a good bit out of it and those guys at BSU will help you a lot, squat suit I use the Metal V-type to train in and like it a lot it is much better than the hardcore if you squat wide. And get some Titan Breifs I really like those to train in also, Hey let me know about your plans and hey you are welcome to come train here on the southside at the FFDB any time you want bud…Good Luck and keep working hard… BIg Martin
Ok, first off as far as bench shirts go, This bullshit about starting with lesser equipment is nuts, The metal milita, strongest benchers in the world will tell anyone, start with a double demin bench shirt, its not how experienced you are its how you use the shirt. I can get 225lbs to touch in a DD w/ canvas insert, so saying that its too strong isnt true, it can work for anyone. Learn to use the right stuff from the beginning! If your federation won’t allow those shirts then go with a Inzer Phenom, best poly shirt out there!
Squat suit, i would go with Frantz canvas suit, just remember you have to trust the suit and the spotters, load up the weight and squat!
Big Martin, yep, I’m still going to be at Blacksmith, I can’t wait. That’s too bad that you may not be there. You’ll have to let me know what you finally decide. I think that I’m going to take the advice of you guys and talk to my coach about just buying regular equipment and learning with that. I guess there wouldn’t be much of a point to learning how to use one type and then having to just do it again later on, especially since it’s my money that’s being spent.
I’ll definitely come down to Franklin when I get a chance. As well as Wenning’s style is working for me already, I’d really like to see how other people might train differently first hand. One thing is for certain though; I’ve definitely underestimated core strength in the past. Our veterans that already have it are squatting as much, if not more than they deadlift, while my deadlift has close to 100 pounds on my squat. One step at a time I suppose.
I don’t believe in starting with lesser equipment. 2 years ago I did… now, no fucking way. Start with the best … double denims, or you’re just wasting money.
If you decide to go with Inzer check out www.inzernet.com and go to the bargain rack and sale items. You can find some really good deals on shirts, suits, briefs, etc.
Daox- I am preety sure BSU only competes in USAPL, so you will definately want to check with Matt, before you buy anything thats not single ply,…Also hey shoot me a PM and let me knowwhat kind of traing they do dwon there I know its a westsdie hybrid and have hard great things about it, I hope to ge up there sometime and train but yea shoot me a PM and let me know about your training…>BIg MArtin
Big Martin, I already pm’ed you, but just to clarify for anyone else reading this, I realize that the USAPL uses single ply equipment, and as far as I know that’s the only federation we’re competing in. What my coach suggested was that maybe even the competition level single ply equipment would be too much of a pain in the ass to start out with. Apparantly there is a grade in-between training level and competition level that he wants me to use to start out.
I’m sure to the rest of you that have already responsed and recommended that I start off with the double layer equipment, his recommendation sounds even more ridiculous. The guy totals 2000 pounds at 275 so I usually take his advice, but I’ll definitely talk to him more about this.
The different fits for suits are training, meet and competition fit. I think you should just start off with the best single ply suit you can find (Dual Quad, HArdcore, or Metal)and get a comp fit. Train in what you will use at the meet. I have always used the same squat suit for training that I will use in the meet and I’ve done very well with this method. If you can afford it then get two comp fits and leave one unused and fresh for the meet.Otherwise use the same suit and then send it in after the meet to have it tightened back up.It’s easy to learn to use single ply poly so just start with the best, if you were talking about denim or canvas or double ply then you may want to start off slower (I don’t know having never used them).
Thanks a ton for the advice guys. How about a squat suit? The Inzer Hardcore is way out of my price range. Would I be alright with the Z-suit or Champion?
Not to hijack the thread, but instead of starting my own with this question … what is the difference between the champion and the z-suit? I can’t fnd anything on inzernet and they haven’t answered my e-mail.
I recommend the Titan Dual Quad. It takes them a long time to get it to you, but it is wortht the investment. The Z-suit and Champion suits are pretty flimsy and you’ll may end up having to buy a new suit after one training cycle, I did. The Dual Quad is custom fitted, less expensive than the hardcore, and if it needs to be altered Titan will do it for free you just have to pay the shipping costs. You may as well invest the money in a suit that will perform better and last longer.
The others have pretty much covered it but if you’re going to get the dual quad squat suit from titan I would say get the titan fury as well. This shirt is unlike any other poly that I have ever seen and the construction looks like a double denim: arms coming off the front, tiny chest panel and a stretchy back so you can get it on easier. Plus, you can’t even compare the material to the stuff available on other poly shirts, it looks and feels totally different. If you’re willing to wait on the dual quad I would highly recommend waiting on the fury as well.
I know I sound like an titan add right now but having seen so many people have to use a pr to touch in the fury I can’t wait to get one. Only caveat here is to be aware of the fact that you’ll need 4-5 workouts in the shirt to get used to it, strech it out a bit and find a weight that will touch your chest.
I started at the bottom in equipment with a z suit and a blast shirt from inzer. I wasn’t sure at the beginning that competing would be for me so I’m glad I started where I did. Had I known that I would be continuing to compete I would have invested the money in the beginning for the top of the line stuff. I get a good bit out of the z suit but I don’t get a thing out of the blast shirt - total waste of money.