I have a question regarding for all the T-Nation posters that are using multi-ply squat briefs. Right now I have an oversized pair of Metal Viking briefs that I’ve been using for quite a while on just about every DE day, occasionally on ME day and for full gear contest training.
Needless to say, they’re starting to lose their support. They’ll be just fine for all my speed work in training, but I’m in the early stages of meet prep so I’m looking to drop a few bucks on a new pair of briefs to use at the meet. Some of my fellow gear whores have been mentioning either the Inzer Predators or Metal Ace briefs. I’m weighing these, but also considering a tighter pair of Metal Vikings. I once used the Metal Pros, but I just don’t like the feel of them so they’re not really an option at this point.
I realize lifters have their allegiances, whether it is due to sponsorship or brand loyalty, but of the briefs that I mentioned above–or ones not listed that you might think are good for a medium-wide stance squatter–which would you say you like the most and have no problems recommending?
Well… I’l tell ya bro… I am a big fan on inzer gear… and I have used the powerpants before once or twice. I squat and dead extremely wide and they were very good. I would use em all the time… but I compete in USAPL… so no briefs.
I aint gona lie… I havent had a lot of experience with metal gear, but from what I hear it is very impressive. If you like your briefs bro get a new pair and use the old for just workout. I mean you should have that anyways so you always have the best gear possible for comps. Just my two cents bro… hope it was useful.
I have both the preds and Ace briefs. No comparison, Ace briefs destroy the predators.
I use my preds for training. They are excellent for that as they give [me] good support but no real pop to speak of. Keep in mind I don’t wear them super tight. I can get parallel with 225.
The Ace on the other hand are just plain sick. They are not super tight either, but are tighter than my preds. Takes me 525 or so to get to parallel with them.
I actually feel I get more out of my Ace briefs than my Pro squatter suit.
[quote]mattwray wrote:
I have both the preds and Ace briefs. No comparison, Ace briefs destroy the predators.
I use my preds for training. They are excellent for that as they give [me] good support but no real pop to speak of. Keep in mind I don’t wear them super tight. I can get parallel with 225.
The Ace on the other hand are just plain sick. They are not super tight either, but are tighter than my preds. Takes me 525 or so to get to parallel with them.
I actually feel I get more out of my Ace briefs than my Pro squatter suit.[/quote]
Matt,
My Viking briefs are loose enough that I can get to parallel with 135–maybe 185 if I were wearing a belt–so they are purely for hip protection. Whatever new brand I get, I’ll keep my old faithful Vikings for DE day.
What about the cut of the Ace briefs? I’m 5’9" but my upper thighs are short and from what I understand a common complaint from guys with stumpy quads like myself is that the tight leg openings on the Ace briefs will force your knees in. Do you have that issue? Sizewise, I’ve heard they’re pretty thick so to avoid getting ones that are too jack-diesel a lot of people go up a size. Just curious, as I was leaning toward the Ace briefs after hearing yours and other comments.
I have the metal ace briefs, they are sized for a 240-270lb lifter and I am currently 225.
They pretty much just slide up with a little wiggle effort.
That said, they still are doing something. I recently hit 550 off of a pretty low box with the briefs and belt. 600 was my previous best, and that was with wraps/belt but no gear. I was also 30lbs heavier and much stronger then.
I have the suit as well. I put the briefs, suit and full gear on just to play with it after I got it all. I could barely get down with 500lbs, and the gear is super loose!
I’m a big fan of Metal briefs, and I’d say that what you decide to do may depend somewhat on how close you are to your event. The Aces may take some getting used to, and it’s seldom a good idea to shake things up close to contest. Personally, I’d go Ace/Ace, but only after working with them for a while; otherwise, tighter Vikings.
Have you considered Titan Boss briefs? I have never used the Ace but I have used a pair of Vikings before. I found the Viking to be very similar to Boss- loads of stopping power with some rebound.
However, the Boss briefs come up higher than the Vikings- they will basically cover your belly. That was one thing I hated about the Viking- they were too short on top.
They last forever too. I have a pair I have used in training and meets for over two years. The layers have delaminated, but they still have good spring.
[quote]Pinto wrote:
Have you considered Titan Boss briefs? I have never used the Ace but I have used a pair of Vikings before. I found the Viking to be very similar to Boss- loads of stopping power with some rebound.
However, the Boss briefs come up higher than the Vikings- they will basically cover your belly. That was one thing I hated about the Viking- they were too short on top.
They last forever too. I have a pair I have used in training and meets for over two years. The layers have delaminated, but they still have good spring.[/quote]
That’s probably my biggest issue with the Vikings, they don’t cover a lot of surface area and I don’t have a belly bencher’s gut at all :-). I’ve thought about the boss briefs as my semi-retired training parter used the Boss suit and really loved it. Damn, having to make choices sucks.
I like the metal briefs \ if you don’t want to buy a new pair right now try and boil the bottom half. I know this sounds weird but try it and i’ll bet after 5-8 minutes you’ll be amazed at the fit.
I will explain: when looking at polyester fiber under a microscrope they are coiled and at water temps above 210 degress they will coil even more essentially shrinking them. Some of the guys at iron asylum gym have had great luck with there bench shirt as i did. Let me know how it works for you. And of course wash and dry them b/4 putting them on…hahahahaha
What about the cut of the Ace briefs? I’m 5’9" but my upper thighs are short and from what I understand a common complaint from guys with stumpy quads like myself is that the tight leg openings on the Ace briefs will force your knees in. Do you have that issue? Sizewise, I’ve heard they’re pretty thick so to avoid getting ones that are too jack-diesel a lot of people go up a size. Just curious, as I was leaning toward the Ace briefs after hearing yours and other comments.
Thanks.[/quote]
I was actually talking to a buddy of mine last night who had that complaint about the legs being too long. He had his altered to take either an inch or 2 off, I don’t remember exactly.
Mine are fine, as long as they are all the way up and seated properly. They don’t pull my legs in at all.
I wear the size as the sizing chart shows. Takes me usually about 10 minutes or so to put on. I just fold the top over the safety pins on the power rack and work them up one side at a time.
I have not used Titan briefs, but I do prefer their shirts over the other brands.