Equipment for Powerlifters and Bodybuilders

As part of my ongoing series of posts on the topic of Powerlifting (a competitive weightlifting sport) I have decided to include a post on the topic of Powerlifting Equipment.

I want to note however that people wanting to use such equipment can also sometimes just make their own equipment. The DIY approach is often just as rewarding as anything you can buy in a store.

I am also approaching this from the perspective of someone who has a casual interest in Powerlifting and as someone who wants to use the various Powerlifting techniques as part of someone's weightlifting routine, and not because they want to compete in the sport.

• Bench Press Shirt - Designed to store kinetic energy and help the lifter lift more.
  
• Deadlift Socks - Thick socks designed to protect the lifter's shins while performing a deadlift.
  
• Deadlift Suit - Provides compression, but also stores kinetic energy to help the lifter lift more.
  
• Elbow Sleeves - Supports the elbow joint, reduces inflammation and provides compression.
  
• Gum Sheilds / Mouth Guards - Protects the teeth while the lifter is clenching their jaw.
  
• Gym Chalk - Used to absorb moisture, improve grip and reduce friction.
  
• Knee Sleeves - Similar to Knee Wraps, but provide compression and reduce inflammation of the knee joints.
  
• Knee Wraps - Strips of elastic wrapped around the knees which protect the knee joints.
  
• Knee Wrap Rollers - Used to make Knee Wraps tighter and provide more tension.
  
• Lifting Straps - Loops around the wrists and the barbell, allowing the user to lift with their forearms and not have to use their hands so much. Some lifters consider them to be cheating, but you could say that about a lot of the things on this list.
  
• Singlet/Leotard - Really only worn during competitions so that a referee can easily see whether someone properly completed a squat or succeeded in performing a lift properly.
  
• Smelling Salts - Contains ammonia, but can be used as a stimulant to trigger a short but intense burst of adrenaline, which can boost performance.
  
• Squat Suit - A supportive aid designed to help prevent injury while lifting more.
  
• Weightlifting Belt - Works similar to a back brace, providing rigid support and stability to the lower back and core muscles.
  
• Weightlifting Shoes - Two Types: Deadlift shoes (flat with ankle support) and Squat shoes (rigid with elevated heel). Both are designed to help prevent injuries while lifting.
  
• Wrist Wraps - Elastic strips wrapped around the wrist joint to help reduce movement and prevent injury.
  

As you may have guessed, most of the things on the above list are basically designed for two things:

1. To prevent injury.
2. To help the Powerlifter lift more weight.

How many of these things do you consider to be necessary? Well, it depends on how much value you place on preventing sports injuries.

I personally think that preventing sports injuries is very important. Some competitions prefer that the competitors lift without any equipment, what is known as Raw or Classic, while some competitions favour all the competitors being equipped so that lifters aren't injuring themselves. How much equipment someone uses is basically up to the user.

What you decide to use is up to you. My one piece of advice is that if you're not going to get anything to protect your joints that you at least take it easy and don't push yourself too hard.

Also sometimes you may have no choice but to use some types of equipment, but that shouldn't stop you from exercising. Use whatever you consider to be necessary and important to you.

See Also

• What is Powerlifting?
• 5 Bodybuilding Tips you can do Today for $0