Shirts and Suits: What's the Point?

Training Powerlifting
1

Some discussion on other threads has increased my attention toward a topic that I don’t think I’ve ever understood, and I’m hoping someone here can present a succinct argument to explain it to me…

What is the point of using bench shirts and squat/DL suits to increase your numbers? In reviewing these items, people always testify to how many pounds they get out of their suit/shirt – what’s the point? Why not just lift without these accessories?

I anticipate statements similar to this: “People use suits and shirts to optimize their powerlifting – to lift the most weight possible.” So the best in the world can bench 1000 with a shirt, but only 700 without a shirt. Is 700 something to scoff at? I doubt anyone would dare say so. While the 1000 looks fantastic, it was accomplished ONLY via the benefit of the shirt. Why not just use a crane to lower and lift 2000 pounds?

Shed some light on my poor, ignorant soul.

2

This topic again? Just lift raw already…oh, sorry “RAW!”

Read Reape’s article, “10 Strength Training Tips”.

"Tip #5: Use powerlifting equipment but limit belt use.

… Powerlifting gear, when used wisely, can protect against injury and prolong your lifting and training career.

This can be done by wearing “looser-than-meet” gear around a problem area like the low back or shoulders. A loose squat suit with straps down or loose groove briefs can take a lot of stress off the hips, groin, and low back while keeping warmth where it’s needed. A loose bench press shirt is just the ticket most older lifters need to protect their problem shoulders.

…"

3

The shirt to crane or forklift comparison again?
Heres an idea. Find a shirt and set it on a bench. Drop a bar on the shirt. The shirt will get smushed by the bar. Now put the shirt on and try the same thing. Big difference, huh? You see, It is the person using the shirt that makes the difference, not the shirt.

Actualy, the comparison to heavy machinery is a good one, and here is why. I have worked with heavy machinery. It is not a crutch. It is designed to enable a proficient user to do more work. Have you ever seen someone who is good with a bobcat at work? It is amazing. The amount that a good proficient worker can get done is incredible. On the other hand, a piece of machinery in the hands of the wrong person is a disaster.Usualy results in wasted time, effort, money and health. I have seen the same with lifting gear. People that are adept at using it lift more and make great gains. People who aren’t very good lifters in the first place and don’t have much of an inclination of doing so shouldn’t even bother. For them it would be a waste of time, effort, money and health.

So, when Im ready and able to justify the use of lifting gear, I am going to. Not necessarily because I want a shirt to lift the weight for me, but so that I can be a stronger more productive lifter.

There are probably others that share this view.

4

[quote]mindeffer01 wrote:
The shirt to crane or forklift comparison again?
Heres an idea. Find a shirt and set it on a bench. Drop a bar on the shirt. The shirt will get smushed by the bar. Now put the shirt on and try the same thing. Big difference, huh? You see, It is the person using the shirt that makes the difference, not the shirt.
[/quote]
Just how a crane can’t be operated unless a human uses it? It’s the person controling the crane… I don’t see any crane comps, do you?

I don’t think anyone asked for your life story… Anyways!
Good job completely missing the point of the arguement.

[quote]

So, when Im ready and able to justify the use of lifting gear, I am going to. Not necessarily because I want a shirt to lift the weight for me, but so that I can be a stronger more productive lifter.

There are probably others that share this view.[/quote]

Shirts don’t make you stronger, more productive yes, but not stronger. Cranes don’t make humans stronger, but they do make construction work a hell of alot more productive. I still see no crane comps!

5

Right Side Up, you need to change your perspective. You use the equipment to lift the most weight in competition period. PLers don’t bench press to build the pecs or tris, we do it because its a competitive lift, period. If the rules allow shirts and you can lift more in the shirt, and you know the competition is using them, then you would be a damn not to use one also. Its that simple. If you want to lift “RAW” then fine, do it, but if you plan on competeing be prepared to have your ass handled to you.

6

THE TRUTH, you cant find a RAW meet anywhere!!!so your forced to compete in a gear meet, its that simple.different federations allow diff gear, everything from not much help- single poly, all the way to triple canvas you cant get the shirt down unless you have over 500lbs on the bar.
Gear does help stabilize and prevent injury so that 2 benefits, it also builds your EGO because you can handle weight you couldnt normally do. ALL powerlifters train with and without gear.
I think that everyone really knows that gear does assist and therefore you couldn’t actually do the weight by just themselves.

Our society always wants HOTTER, FASTER,RICHER… so GEAR numbers are impressive and new HEIGHTS for the athletic world so they are accepted and the small “technicalities” of gear is overlooked.

I hope this help explain, because if powerlifting is ever going to be accepted in the OLYMPIC and the WORLD spotlight common grounds have to be reached and hopefully soon, the OLYMPICS have CURLING which is sliding a little weight down the ice with people frantically sweeping away the ice shavings in front of it- CANT BELIEVE IT, but if the curlers wanted to wear gear it wouldnt be allowed.

The gear guys argument is that in all sports there has been advancement, I always hear that the POLEVAULT keeps going up because the materials in the poles is stronger and lighter than previously.

NO MATTER WHAT the new records are impressive for any type of gear.
I hope this helps clarify.

PS a raw federation called out RYCHLAK the 1/2 ton bencher and said that they would give him $5000 and all expenses paid if he could bench just 600# RAW with their judges- he has not replied to the best of my knowledge.

7

Griffy,
The crane comparison was in the last part of the origional post.

I was drawing comparisons based on observations made through experience. I know that may be a bit abstract for you, but that is your problem, not mine.

Maybe you should get some experience, then you will have something to draw from. Hanging out in your buddies appt. doesn’t seem to be doing you much good.

And by the way, what the hell are you trying to prove by taking shots at every one? You have been looking like a real asshole lately.

So in your infinite wisdom griffy boy, what was the point of the origional post? Was it an opportunity to start a raw vs. gear discussion? Or do you consider it an opportunity to take shots at people?

And just for good measure- My life story would castrate and infantalize a punk like you. Don’t even bother with that.

8

You will get hammered by the Powerlifters over this one. It comes down to Ego, self perception, whatever. Sure suits and shirts help somewhat in preventing injuries but the main reason is to lift more weight. I’ve lifted in quite a few meets and if I never would have used a squat suit I would never have broken the 500 lb. barrier. Shirts are the same. A single ply will add 40 lbs. minimum to your bench. I thought and still do think that Shirts are Bullshit so I never used one.

Now with denim and canvas and who knows what else shirts are putting ALOT more on the Bench. How much? 100,200 lbs.? I’ve read 300, but no idea if that is true. It comes down to bragging rights. When I was competing I could go back to work on Monday and tell the guys I squatted 535. They had no idea the suit helped with 70-80 lbs. of that. So despite the ranting, it all comes down to ego. Better cover up. A bunch of big bad bald dudes are gonna come running!

Barry

9

[quote]Right Side Up wrote:
Some discussion on other threads has increased my attention toward a topic that I don’t think I’ve ever understood, and I’m hoping someone here can present a succinct argument to explain it to me…

What is the point of using bench shirts and squat/DL suits to increase your numbers? In reviewing these items, people always testify to how many pounds they get out of their suit/shirt – what’s the point? Why not just lift without these accessories?

I anticipate statements similar to this: “People use suits and shirts to optimize their powerlifting – to lift the most weight possible.” So the best in the world can bench 1000 with a shirt, but only 700 without a shirt. Is 700 something to scoff at? I doubt anyone would dare say so. While the 1000 looks fantastic, it was accomplished ONLY via the benefit of the shirt. Why not just use a crane to lower and lift 2000 pounds?

Shed some light on my poor, ignorant soul.[/quote]

I didn’t really understand the usage of gear for the longest either, but after several threads of this nature I realized some things:

1)Lifters use gear because it is required for the Feds they choose to compete in.

2)A lot of gear lifters are still strong as hell without the gear, the 1000lb bencher is hitting in the 600s or 700s without gear, so he is still strong and gets my respect. (I don’t respect a guy that uses gear to get his bench into the 300s though, but that is just my personal feelings on that issue)

3)RAW meets are in the minority these days, so lifters compete with gear.

4)The sport is supported financially by gear manufacturers, so in a sense gear keeps the sport alive.

I think those of us that prefer RAW type lifts should either look at RAW competitions or strongman events.

In an nutshell, live and let live. If you don’t like gear then look elsewhere. If you like it, then go for it.

10

I wouldn’t mind hearing their take on this. I am seriously considering competing and would appreciate as much constructive input as possible.

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Hey, I have a question, what does “RAW” stand for? Real American Wrestling?

12

Damn, when I saw the title of the thread I thought it was for the fashion minded office worker.

I didn’t think anyone would bring gear use /no use up again!! What a waste of cyberspace :wink:

13

How many times do poeple have to say it.We use them to compete against others in our sport. Its nothing to do with ego unless you never go to a meet. some people play softball, some drag race, some, play golf, some powerlift. why would anyone go lift raw and keep getting crushed ever meet. My shoulder used to hurt like hell before i got a single ply shirt, Am i suppost to quit lifting because you dont like shirts. get a life.

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[quote]jonlandau wrote:
THE TRUTH, you cant find a RAW meet anywhere!!!so your forced to compete in a gear meet, its that simple…[/quote]

That’s not true. While there may not be a whole lot of competition for you… every federation has a raw division to compete in.

15

I’ve browsed through these posts quickly, and I still haven’t seen WHY powerlifting suits, shirts, whatever, help. I would like to know the science behind it.

16

You dont have to lift in a raw meet to lift raw. You can lift raw in any meet you want to. Who cares if a guy beats you wearing a bench shirt? What do you get for winning? A cheap trophy? Lift raw if you want to lift raw. Wear gear if you want to wear gear. Why do you care what other people do anyway?

17

But if you do do it to compete against others, then you need to wear what they are wearing. If you one day plan to go pro, then you have to wear whatever it takes to get you there. It would be like showing up at a NASCAR race with a Honda. Its just part of the sport. If you dont compete then who cares.

18

[quote]jonlandau wrote:
PS a raw federation called out RYCHLAK the 1/2 ton bencher and said that they would give him $5000 and all expenses paid if he could bench just 600# RAW with their judges- he has not replied to the best of my knowledge.[/quote]

LOL! oh but he has responded. with a flip of the middle finger.

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[quote]RJay Floyd wrote:
You dont have to lift in a raw meet to lift raw. You can lift raw in any meet you want to. Who cares if a guy beats you wearing a bench shirt? What do you get for winning? A cheap trophy? Lift raw if you want to lift raw. Wear gear if you want to wear gear. Why do you care what other people do anyway? [/quote]

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And I am a raw lifter. The ultimate competition for most of us who will never be world class is against ourselves. Forget what everyone else is doing or not doing and concentrate on your own training.

20

[quote]TTewell342 wrote:
jonlandau wrote:
THE TRUTH, you cant find a RAW meet anywhere!!!so your forced to compete in a gear meet, its that simple…

That’s not true. While there may not be a whole lot of competition for you… every federation has a raw division to compete in.
[/quote]

Not every Fed has raw divisions. NASA has Power Sports, NAP has raw BP div. & there are some more but not all.