Wraps, Sleeves, Everything Else: A PL Gear Guide

Training Powerlifting
41

Gear Experience: Inzer Iron Z, Titan THP and Titanium, Metal All Blacks (old and new material), APT Strangulator, Convict Pro’s and “THE WRAP” 3XH. All 2.0m wraps

Equipment being reviewed: APT “THE WRAP” 3XH

Pros: Very thick. Very stiff. Massive rebound and carryover

Cons: Stupidly stiff and thick. Seriously difficult to apply properly. Cannot be applied properly by yourself. Lose a lot of support when they slip. Extremely painful while being applied and while they’re on.

Comparison: Pretty much the Strangulators made thicker and stiffer. I was sceptical, but these delivered noticeably more carryover than anything else I’ve tried. More difficult to apply than anything else as well. Stupid amount of pain too…

Thoughts: Not wraps for everyone. They are simply too much and too hard to use. Tried both spiral and Nichols Tread wrapping, and it slipped too much with spiral. Again, pretty much impossible to wrap by yourself.

It was possible to get about medium tightness, and I needed help to tuck the wrap under. If you aren’t pretty strong, it’ll be difficult to wrap properly. You need some assistance to tuck the last wrap without killing yourself; you can be helped by the person you’re wrapping if they are strong enough, otherwise a second pair of hands comes in handy.
Again, really painful, in case I haven’t made it clear.

I think that if you are training with a powerlifting team, you are used to crazy tight wraps and have a couple of bigger lifters that are experienced in how to wrap (again, I’d recommend Nichols Tread)…this is the wrap for your next PR.
It’s simply too much for regular use, and terribly difficult for both you and the person wrapping you. Still the best IPF legal wrap you can get though IMHO.

In a nutshell: Stupid wraps that 99.9% of lifters will find too painful or just not be in a situation to use; and the tiny minority will absolutely love.
Painful, hard to apply… and the best wraps you can get.*

  • if you are crazy, train with crazy people and you absolutely, positively need to get the next lift.
42

Stats: 5’9" 240; 27 yrs old

Best Lifts: 600 squat (gym) in single ply gear and wraps

Gear Experience: APT 2.5m Convicts and APT 2.5m Strangulator knee wraps

Equipment being reviewed: APT Strangulators

Pros: Similar support to the Convicts with considerably less effort to wrap. Great rebound out of the hole.

Cons: They hurt with a “tight” wrap. The pain goes away as soon as my hands touch the bar.

Comparison: I’d put the Strangulators at about 90% of the support of the Convicts, with about 75% of the effort needed to wrap them tight and probably 75% of the pain.

Thoughts: I just started wrapping my knees about 6 weeks ago. In that time I’ve used my training partner’s Convicts, and then I bought the Strangulators. As I progress, get more comfortable in wraps, and my squat gets stronger, I will probably move up to something more extreme like the Convicts. They are superior in terms of carryover (I think), but the Strangulators are easier to use.

43

[quote]kudante wrote:
I wanted to tell you guys about a real shitty experience I had recently with Werksan.com. I realize they are a pretty big / reputable company, which is partly what surprised me so much about this.[/quote]

What you experienced is probably the result of a poor communication between the man who imports the Do-Wins from China and ships them on Werksans behalf. Werksan doesn’t store the shoes in their warehouse, they are directly shipped from the importer. As I understand it, Werksan was helping sell the Do-Wins for that coach whom on a few occassions failed to inform Werksan that the shoes were backordered so they could update their customers and website.

44

[quote]GetJakdorDieTryn wrote:
anyone care to review adistars or any of the adidas ironwork series weightlifting shoes for back squatting? it would be greatly appreciated. [/quote]

I love them, if you squat sumo you would probably be better off in flat shoes

45

Anyone have any experience with erector shirts?

I just acquired a 52 Inzer HD (with sleeves), I’m 6’0 about 210 and haven’t been successful in getting it on yet…any advice for getting it on?

46

Stats: 5’6 weight between 163-173, 27 y/o raw lifter, 385 squat with belt. certainly not sponsored, and i have two pairs of knee sleeves: TK mediums and APT Double Ply Convict Sleeves, large.

I train with knee sleeves for some warmth and pressure, therefore my measures of effectiveness are comfort and a “feeling of security”, rather than carryover.

APT Double Ply Convict Knee Sleeves

Pros: These sleeves have a definite carryover, probably about 10, maybe 20 pounds for me. personally i only bought them as an alternative to the sweaty TK bands, so i got them in large (according to the website’s sizing). They do keep your knee joints feeling warm and tight, tighter than the TK bands.

I squat ATG in training and they feel good coming out of the hole. fit is comfortable, but a little tight around the lower quad.

Cons: some raw feds/divisions do not allow these sleeves in competition. Generally, the TK sleeves are more widely allowed.

Comparison: TK sleeves meet my needs as well, but they get sweaty. Would recommend the APTs to anyone who’s lifting raw in a federation that allows these sleeves over the TK sleeves. For training? they’re about the same IMHO, less the sweaty factor.

47

Stats
I am 5’7", 216 pounds lifting in USAPL.
Best Lifts: 585 Squat; 450 Bench; 592 DL
Gear Experience: I have worked with Inzer and Titan single-ply.

Equipment being reviewed:
Titan Super Centurion - Narrow Stance
Pros:
Super easy to get on. Great support. Got my opener no problems.

Cons:
Made me nervous when I put it on yesterday b/c I am used to this taking 30 or more minutes. Felt a little loose in the shoulders. I used it for D/L and had a hard time getting down to the bar. I lift conventional.

Comparison:
Compared to first generation Centurion, it is much easier to put on, doesn’t hurt as bad and gives at least as good support. I have not put on an Inzer in a long time so I cannot compare here.

Thoughts: Get this one a size bigger than you’re used to as it doesn’t give as well as previous suits. You may have to tailer it to your shoulders, but that’s sort of expected. You may need a second suit for the deads.

48

[quote]pwrlifter198 wrote:
Stats
I am 5’7", 216 pounds lifting in USAPL.
Best Lifts: 585 Squat; 450 Bench; 592 DL
Gear Experience: I have worked with Inzer and Titan single-ply.

Equipment being reviewed:
Titan Super Centurion - Narrow Stance
Pros:
Super easy to get on. Great support. Got my opener no problems.

Cons:
Made me nervous when I put it on yesterday b/c I am used to this taking 30 or more minutes. Felt a little loose in the shoulders. I used it for D/L and had a hard time getting down to the bar. I lift conventional.

Comparison:
Compared to first generation Centurion, it is much easier to put on, doesn’t hurt as bad and gives at least as good support. I have not put on an Inzer in a long time so I cannot compare here.

Thoughts: Get this one a size bigger than you’re used to as it doesn’t give as well as previous suits. You may have to tailer it to your shoulders, but that’s sort of expected. You may need a second suit for the deads.[/quote]

Wow, your experience is almost the opposite of mine.

Stats
I am 6’2", 238 pounds lifting in CPU (Canada IPF).
Best Lifts: 545 Squat; 295 Bench; 555 DL
Squat Gear Experience: Only Titan Centurion - Reg Stance

I have a non-Super Centurion NXG Super + in size 44 and recently got a Super Centurion in a size 44. Titan tried to convince me to go up a size in the Super but I am happy I went the same size.

I find the Super Centurion tighter in the hips and shoulder straps compared to the non-Super. Also it takes at least if not more time to get the Super on and seated (more I think about it the more I think its more of struggle with the Super). That said I am only on my 4th training session with the Super so I expect it to stretch a bit and become easier.

As for support, the Super (at the moment) has much more. I can hit 75-85% depth in the non-Super just in the suit. With the Super it takes 395-425lb to get the same depth. The straps are much tighter on the Super.

As for hurting/biting I find the Super much worse at the moment. The 2-ply harness (how did they get this thing IPF certified?!) really bites my outer thighs and the crease of my hips. As I continue to use the Super I have no doubt I will end up with permanent bruises.

If you are OK with some pain and suffering then get the same size as a non-Super. I’ll try to add comments once I get it worked in a bit.

49

[quote]J_D_W wrote:
pwrlifter198 wrote:
Stats
I am 5’7", 216 pounds lifting in USAPL.
Best Lifts: 585 Squat; 450 Bench; 592 DL
Gear Experience: I have worked with Inzer and Titan single-ply.

Equipment being reviewed:
Titan Super Centurion - Narrow Stance
Pros:
Super easy to get on. Great support. Got my opener no problems.

Cons:
Made me nervous when I put it on yesterday b/c I am used to this taking 30 or more minutes. Felt a little loose in the shoulders. I used it for D/L and had a hard time getting down to the bar. I lift conventional.

Comparison:
Compared to first generation Centurion, it is much easier to put on, doesn’t hurt as bad and gives at least as good support. I have not put on an Inzer in a long time so I cannot compare here.

Thoughts: Get this one a size bigger than you’re used to as it doesn’t give as well as previous suits. You may have to tailer it to your shoulders, but that’s sort of expected. You may need a second suit for the deads.

Wow, your experience is almost the opposite of mine.

Stats
I am 6’2", 238 pounds lifting in CPU (Canada IPF).
Best Lifts: 545 Squat; 295 Bench; 555 DL
Squat Gear Experience: Only Titan Centurion - Reg Stance

I have a non-Super Centurion NXG Super + in size 44 and recently got a Super Centurion in a size 44. Titan tried to convince me to go up a size in the Super but I am happy I went the same size.

I find the Super Centurion tighter in the hips and shoulder straps compared to the non-Super. Also it takes at least if not more time to get the Super on and seated (more I think about it the more I think its more of struggle with the Super). That said I am only on my 4th training session with the Super so I expect it to stretch a bit and become easier.

As for support, the Super (at the moment) has much more. I can hit 75-85% depth in the non-Super just in the suit. With the Super it takes 395-425lb to get the same depth. The straps are much tighter on the Super.

As for hurting/biting I find the Super much worse at the moment. The 2-ply harness (how did they get this thing IPF certified?!) really bites my outer thighs and the crease of my hips. As I continue to use the Super I have no doubt I will end up with permanent bruises.

If you are OK with some pain and suffering then get the same size as a non-Super. I’ll try to add comments once I get it worked in a bit.

[/quote]
I am glad I went up a size. Some of that is because I gained some weight (about 18 pounds). I need to take in the straps some for full effect. I am experiencing the same pain in my hips you are talking about. One week after the meet my hips are still bruised. I don’t train in gear very much until right before a meet so I deal with whatever happens. I do like the support and I am eager to try it with the straps tailored to the right size.

50

Anyone know if these (the knee sleeves) are legal in raw USAPL?

http://www.prowriststraps.com/inc/sdetail/129197

Just making sure, the double material makes me a little suspicious.

51

Stats: 5’ 10", 220. currently benching 380 raw touch and go.

Gear Experience: Inzer Z, Titan signature and THP, APT ZRV Pro

Equipment being reviewed: Inzer Z wraps

Pros: Great balance of stretch and stiffness, sticks to skin, great price

Cons: 20" too short and 36" too long

Comparison: Easier to modulate tightness than the APT…APT is either TIGHT or LOOSE. Inzer you can crank different levels a lot easier.

Thoughts: I have a 9 year old pair of 20" Inzer Z wrist wraps and I wanted to try something different. Got the 24" APT ZRV pro and didn’t like them nearly as much (but they are good wraps). I ended up ordering a set of 36" Z wraps and hacked about 6" off each one and they are perfect.

52

Gear Experience: Inzer Z, Titan THP, and TP 5000

Equipment being reviewed: 2.5M TP 5000

Pros: comfortable, tight, great rebound, great suport

Cons: Insanely difficult to find, not legal in all feds

Comparison: Nothing compares to these…even though my personal wraps of choice is the Z wrap

Thoughts: The TP 5000 have 2 different sides, a smooth side and a grippy side so it sticks to itself. It will lock down and not shift at all. It is like a Boa Constrictor around your knee. They feel awesome and the weight just flies up

53

[quote]
Cons: They make them in sizes less than 36"… lmfao. Don’t be a girl, get the 36" ones. Anything less is a waste.[/quote]

If you have very poor wrist stability you probably can’t settle with less, yes. In some feds only 50cm is allowed though, and that is plenty of support, if you’re not a girlyman…

54

Equipment being reviewed: Manta Ray squat pad

Thoughts: This isn’t anything you can wear, but I believe this contraption deserves some praise here. I’m doing Smolov, and am a low bar raw squatter. The frequency and intensity is killing my shoulders and elbows, but I really want my squat to go up and finish the program.

The Manta Ray seats the bar way up for me, and makes the squat a bit more difficult (more upright, more quad focus, imo) but helps my shoulders and elbows feel MUCH better. I recommend it for anyone who squats three or more times a week, especially Smolov-ers who are feeling the strain on their elbows and shoulders.

I know it’s a blue plastic girly looking thing, but I don’t care. It works great and is comfortable.

55

Stats: 5’4’’ 185lbs
Best Lifts: Equipped lifts 550 squat, 370 bench, 500 deadlift
Gear Experience: I used to compete in double ply gear and have now switched over to raw training for a variety of reasons.

Equipment being reviewed: EliteFTS Super Heavy Duty Elbow Sleeves

Pros: EXTREMELY thick construction! These will be very supportive and provide some rebound.

Cons: The sizing chart is totally screwed up. (See below for full disclosure)

Comparison: These are way thicker than an older pair of APT sleeves that I have, but the sizing is WAY off so I have yet to fully test them.

Thoughts: Ok, here is the deal. I ordered these elbow sleeves from EliteFTS because I have been having some elbow pain due to the volume of the the 5/3/1 program with the Boring but Big accessory template. I have a pair of elbow sleeves from APT that are 3-4 years old and just provide warmth, no support. I was looking for a sleeve that would give me some support when I bought these. They will support the elbow for sure, but Elite needs to fix their sizing chart. I ordered a Large which is what it says I should need for my weight range. 170-199 is large and I weigh 185. A large would barely clear my hand and get about half way up my forearm.

So I sent them back for an XL which I can get about 75% of the way on, but they start turning my hand purple. I am going to send these back for a XXL but you are only supposed to need that size if you are 230+lbs. Again I am only 185. I love Elite and I buy almost all of my gear from them. This is the first time I have ever run into a sizing issue from them. I will come back and edit this post once I get my XXL pair and hopefully get a chance to try them out.

EDIT:
Here is the final story. The super heavy sleeves were way to stiff I ended up opting for the heavy sleeves and they are still by far the tightest and most supportive sleeve I have ever used. I only keep them on for my working sets and switch to my older ones for my accessory work since they are so tight!

56

[quote]bearshark wrote:
Equipment being reviewed: Manta Ray squat pad

Thoughts: This isn’t anything you can wear, but I believe this contraption deserves some praise here. I’m doing Smolov, and am a low bar raw squatter. The frequency and intensity is killing my shoulders and elbows, but I really want my squat to go up and finish the program.

The Manta Ray seats the bar way up for me, and makes the squat a bit more difficult (more upright, more quad focus, imo) but helps my shoulders and elbows feel MUCH better. I recommend it for anyone who squats three or more times a week, especially Smolov-ers who are feeling the strain on their elbows and shoulders.

I know it’s a blue plastic girly looking thing, but I don’t care. It works great and is comfortable.[/quote]

It may be a little, blue and plastic, but that thing is certainly not girly. If it is, it’s Satan’s daughter because the Manta Ray can humble somebody acclimated to low-bar squatting.

57

[quote]UpChucker wrote:
Gear Experience: Inzer Z, Titan THP, and TP 5000

Equipment being reviewed: 2.5M TP 5000

Pros: comfortable, tight, great rebound, great suport

Cons: Insanely difficult to find, not legal in all feds

Comparison: Nothing compares to these…even though my personal wraps of choice is the Z wrap

Thoughts: The TP 5000 have 2 different sides, a smooth side and a grippy side so it sticks to itself. It will lock down and not shift at all. It is like a Boa Constrictor around your knee. They feel awesome and the weight just flies up[/quote]

I know the maker of the TP-5000 and all the new Overkill gear, he’s working on new TP-5000 that won’t tear like the old ones do (anyone that has used them long enough knows what I’m talking about), but I think he’s going to be working on a website soon to sell his gear,

I think he’s trying to get he’s briefs done first, but I will keep everyone updated and let you know once the site is up

58

[quote]Apostate wrote:
EDIT:
Here is the final story. The super heavy sleeves were way to stiff I ended up opting for the heavy sleeves and they are still by far the tightest and most supportive sleeve I have ever used. I only keep them on for my working sets and switch to my older ones for my accessory work since they are so tight! [/quote]

I was actually going to order some tonight. Do you have any idea what your upper arm measurement is?

59

[quote]Stronghold wrote:
Apostate wrote:
EDIT:
Here is the final story. The super heavy sleeves were way to stiff I ended up opting for the heavy sleeves and they are still by far the tightest and most supportive sleeve I have ever used. I only keep them on for my working sets and switch to my older ones for my accessory work since they are so tight!

I was actually going to order some tonight. Do you have any idea what your upper arm measurement is?[/quote]

Flexed arm measurement is 16.5" at the widest part. Hope that helps. I am pretty sure that they have the bodyweight sizing chart fixed on the site right now.

60

Thanks man…I just wasn’t sure because there is a big difference between 5’6" and 200 and 6’0" and 200, ha.