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Powerlifting Equipment Essentials
The sheer number of products advertised as absolutely essential to boosting your total is
mind blowing to say the least. While in theory, they all sound great (and the jacked dudes
on the advertisements certainly seem to enjoy them), the unfortunate reality is that most
of them are crap. As such, to help you sort the good from the bad, the fundamentals from
the gimmicks, I’ve provided a complete list of what I consider to be the essentials of
powerlifting equipment.
Flat shoes: Go to any powerlifting meet and you’ll inevitably see a majority of lifters
squatting and deadlifting in Chuck Taylors (i.e. Converse All Stars). Unlike running
sneakers or other footwear with a raised heel, flat shoes such as Chuck Taylors allow the
lifter to distribute weight through the backside of the foot and effectively “spread the
floor apart.” Additionally, the bottoms of Chuck Taylors tend to be stickier than most
shoes, which help to grip the floor and prevent the lifter from slipping.
In regards to the bench press, flat shoes aren’t as advantageous, and many lifters
(especially shorter ones) prefer sneakers with a raised heel in order to get more leg drive
throughout the lift.
High socks: As those who regularly deadlift are undoubtedly aware, bloody shins are a
common occurrence. Regardless of whether or not you’re a bleeder, it would be wise to
