Hey ya’ll I was hoping I might get some help with a few questions I have about making the switch from lifting raw to gear. I been lifting for about 8 years, but have been competing in powerlifting comin up on 2 years. Best raw comp lifts are 600 sq(knee wraps), 370 bp, 535 dl.
I train using block periodization, and if anyone is familiar with that my questions are: after I get my gear should I max out right away to get #'s to base a training cycle off? Or should I start using them in the transmutation/intensification phase using an estimate and progress into a max in the realization?
Also some gear advice questions… From the research I have done it seems like Titan has some of the best stuff out right now. I’m planning on getting an F6 right now to bench in (I’m doing a meet in july which is kind of conflicting with one I’m planning on doing in November, so I’m going to lift in the equipped division and just take a semi-token squat and deadlift and max out in the shirt for bench to hit the minimum qualifying total for the national event I want to do next year).
And After that meet get a centurion and possibly upgrade to a katanato start my geared training/competing in. Once again I have a few questions: Would a Katana be too advanced for me to start with? What are the differences in suit and shirts from the regular and custom? And finally, when asked for the fit it gives options of regular(snug), meet(tight), competition (very tight), which of these would be best to start with?
Sorry for the super long post and all the questions, but any help would be appreciated, thanks.
As far as your training numbers, you aren’t going to get an accurate representation of your geared numbers if you just try to max out in the gear right away. It takes some time and effort to get proficient in the gear and to break the gear in. I would suggest doing at least one cycle of training where the primary goal is to get used to using the gear, then you might have some accurate geared numbers to base your %'s on. Look at Jeremy Frey’s old training log posts at elitefts to get an idea of how he uses block periodization with gear.
I wouldn’t get the gear too loose since it will break in some once you start using it. Provided you don’t plan on going up in weight, you could probably go with meet fit or competition fit. Custom sizing probably isn’t necessary to start with unless you have very unusual measurements.
It is probably a bad idea to start out in “competition fit” gear. Get something that is “meet fit” or slightly looser and get used to it. After a few months of becoming proficient at that level of tightness you can work with tighter gear.
I agree with SRS2000, don’t max out in the gear right away, it is a waste of time and won’t give you an accurate representation of what you’ll be capable of with a little training. Can you use block periodization with rates or perceived exertion instead of working off a max?
The quickest way to have problems in gear is by starting out with stuff that is too tight/aggressive at the beginning. Much like an opener in a first meet, best to error slightly on the side of caution. Have fun, it will be an adventure!
You might consider contacting Jeremy Frey or Landon Evans at EFS, as they have some experiencing in applying block periodization for multiply. Also, Mike Tuchscherer is another possibility. He provides a custom training service and some of his subscribers lift in the multiply arena. It’s not exactly block periodization as you might know it, but it is very closely related.
I agree with reading Frey’s log. He has it down to a science.
As for what gear, I’d go with the super centurion, F6, and then a velocity DL suit. The F6 is a good shirt. The Katana seems to be hit or miss for people and it really locks up. From what I’ve seen, it’s better to wear less gear that’s tighter, than more gear that’s looser. The F6 is easier to touch, and if you want more support then Ken Anderson can put a super collar on it for you.
The quickest way to learn gear is to train with lifters that are already experienced with it. A lot of them with have tons of extra stuff laying around too that you can try out before you buy something.
Get tight gear. You’re handling grown-folk’s weights. Don’t waste your time with sub-par gear. I think the katanas suck. But they seem to work great for most lifters. I used an f6 at one point- good shirt. For, the money, Overkill is making some great shirts- but they are custom made and the turnaround time these days is slow. I like the Super Phenom shirts a lot- but the Inzer changed the fabric on these I think and they are not as good as they used to be.
Get with some folks that also use shirts. Or at least get some competant spotters to hand-off and keep you from killing yourself.
As far as training, there are a number of great geared lifterthatare using these block plans- Frey, Brian Carroll, maybe Al Caslow. I think the the think the to keep in mind with any of these plans is that you’ll have to playaround with the volume- as shirt work taxes you more- and adapt some of the plan to shirt training- i.e. using boards to train the midrange and top end more.
[quote]weightHERO wrote:
I’m planning on getting an F6 right now to bench in…possibly upgrade to a katana to start my geared training/competing in. Once again I have a few questions: Would a Katana be too advanced for me to start with? [/quote]
I have a Katana AS and I learned in it a few years ago but it was a bitch and very frustrating. The weight in which it took to touch my chest I could not lock out. In fact I could press about 40# LESS than raw bench at first until I learned the shirt and where the groove was. I had to alter my set up a bit. I came to realize that whatever I could do raw on a 3 board, maybe 2 bd I could do in the shirt because this is where the shirt ‘lets go’ if you will and you must lock it out. For me the Katana is a great board press shirt for 2 boards and higher but something about that last 3 inches is a mofo for me so like Pinto, I think they kind of suck for me. I never felt any ‘pop’ people talk about. The weight more or less just sat there. I felt like I was doing heavy as fuck pin presses but with a shirt smashing my rib cage downwards.
I assume you want to lift in a single ply fed? If not maybe get a 2 ply F6. I’ve heard good things about them. Also the APT APEX shirts (single ply and double ply) has gotten some good reviews. Maybe check those out.
A regular shirt would most likely be fine for you. IF you have 20" arms and a 44" chest you may need a custom. IF you want a super low cut scooped neck you’d have to order a custom. Let’s say you have really short aligator arms and the sleeve length is longer than your elbow, you’d have to get it altered etc… otherwise just get the regular.
FIT: I have a 48" chest. My shirt size is 48" I believe it was a “meet” tightness. I can get the shirt on myself after wiggling into it a few min. I got about 80# out of it if I don’t bomb out from chopping or dumping the weight before my chest plate stretched out (shirt is 3 yrs old) so now I get 50# or so but my shoulders feel great after benching in it which is good…
Centurions do a good job of stopping you in the hole, not really giving a bunch of rebound so if you have a good box squat you’ll be fine in a Centurion. My little bro has squatted in my Centurion and he has a Metal Viking squat suit and says they are similar but the Viking gives a little pop out of the hole.
The best way to learn equipment is definitely to train with people who know how to use it.
My first Sq/Dl suit was a size larger than the one I wear now, and I weighed 10 lbs less. I thought I’d never get into the smaller suit when I tried it on at the lower body weight…lol. I learned.
My first shirt was a borrowed Fury that was probably like, eight sizes too big. Just getting comfortable wearing a shirt and learning how to function in it was huge. Now I wear an F6 which gives me about 60 lbs.
Centurions do a good job of stopping you in the hole, not really giving a bunch of rebound so if you have a good box squat you’ll be fine in a Centurion. My little bro has squatted in my Centurion and he has a Metal Viking squat suit and says they are similar but the Viking gives a little pop out of the hole.
hope this helps…
Mike
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I’m not a bad box squatter, and I know this sounds somewhat stupid because it should be the case for everybody, but I’m extremely strong through the top 2/3 to 1/2 of my lifts. From what I have read I’m looking for a squat suit that gives more rebound than stoppage. I am looking to start in single ply, and if anyone has any other gear recommendations it’d be greatly appreciated. Just from the research I have done is that Inzer has kind of fallen off, Metal isn’t bad but the gear doesnt last long, and Titan has some of the better stuff right now. Once again thanks for all the help.
I feel like I get a lot of rebound from the super centurion but it has to be tight. We have a few of us that need 600+ to hit depth straps up in them, because they are that tight. You can get 150-200 lbs out of one. You’ll be fine since you’re already hitting 600 in just wraps.
I lifted in a Fury, then an F6, then a single-ply Katana before going with my current double-ply Rage-X. The Katana is definitely the best shirt out of the three Titans, but none of them are what I’d consider a beginner shirt. Each one, if tight, will throw you for a loop at first. Since it’s your first shirt, I’d order a stock size. That way if it doesn’t fit, it’s easier to exchange for the next size up or down.
Where in AZ do you live and who do you train with?
I think your making a good choice with the super centurion, and the F6.
I found a great article on EFS.com, a really old one, that laid out a starting program to get used to using the bench shirt. its back from around 2007. Its laid out in a 4 week cycle, and you use straight weight and no boards. Ill try to lay it out
week 1: heavy set of 4 in shirt to touch, be patient and use as light of weight as possible
Week 2: set of 3 to touch, go heavier than the week before
week 3: hit a heavy double
week 4: raw lockout work