Powerlifting is an exciting sport because you can train at the capacity you want to. If you are just training in this method to gain strength and find new purpose in fitness, then you don’t have to spend any money on extra gear if you don’t want to. But if you are invested in the sport and you’re thinking about competing, there is a plethora of gear that can help you push your strength goal even further.
While I will be giving both basic and less expensive gear options as well as more expensive gear that is allowed in competition, I need to make the distinction that I am a Raw powerlifter. Raw lifters only use certain gear when competing as opposed to Equipped lifters who wear additional gear to lift. I will not be giving Equipped powerlifting recommendations in this post. If you’re interested in Equipped powerlifter, here is a blog from another lifter you can refer to.
These recommendations are only for gear I have personally used. Please shop around and find gear that works for you and your budget. There are a lot of options! If you are interested in competing, here is a link to equipment allowed at USAPL/IPF competitions. I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of competing in another post, so stay tuned for that.
On to the gear!
Shoes
Converse
Converse are a great basic shoe for beginners. Any shoe with a flat sole will help you use all parts of your feet to push through the floor and stabilize lifts. Plus, you can find them in many fun colors to fit any style.
Adidas Adipower Weightlifting shoes
If you have ankle mobility issues or just want a greater squat advantage, I recommend a pair of healed weightlifting shoes. These are the shoes I use specifically, but there are many brands out there who make weightlifting shoes, from more common athletic shoe companies like Nike and Adidas, to other more specialty brands. No matter which brand you chose to use, these can help elevate your squats.
Socks
Mark Bell Sling Shot Signature Deadlift Sock
If you are wearing shorts, long socks help protect your shins from ripping while deadlifting. It also keeps the bar sanitary when you are using a bar shared with others. You can wear whatever you want when working out, but if you want to compete, long socks that hit just below the knee are required.
Knee Sleeves
Stoic Knee Sleeves
Knee Sleeves help keep your knee joints warm while squatting. I personally feel like they also help me get a small “bounce” to help me on the upward motion of my squat. There are a lot of different options for knee sleeves if you are not competing if you don’t want to spend as much money on them. If you do order knee sleeves, make sure to pay attention to their sizing chart and measure yourself accordingly. Getting the right size is key to being able to get them on unassisted.
Singlet
Mark Bell Sling Shot Classic Power Singlet
Singlets are only necessary if you’re competing. They are also worn with a t-shirt under, so no need to be worried about undergarments or showing too much skin. Much like the knee sleeves, make sure you measure yourself before ordering, as it is important to be comfortable while competing. (This was the hardest thing for me to get over as being something “silly” to wear when I first competed, but now it’s definitely something that makes me feel powerful!)
Belt
Lifting Large Economy Pink Lever Belt 10mm
The belt that gives me my namesake! A belt can stabilize your back and help you brace while squatting and deadlifting. In my opinion, if you are going to purchase gear, a belt should be the first thing you purchase. This is the belt I use to compete and use regularly when training.
Uppper Lifting Belt
For those of you who don’t want to compete, you don’t need to use the legal belts. Uppper lifting belts are very popular right now in the general fitness world, and for good reason. They are relatively cheap for a lifting belt and they last a decent amount of time. It was the first belt I bought to get used to the idea of bracing against a belt, so for me, it was a great learning tool. However, if you have even a small interest in competing, I’d recommend investing in a legal and good-quality belt right away.
Wrist Wraps
Inzer Wrist Wraps – True Black
Wrist Wraps help stabilize the wrist while benching and squatting heavy loads. These are a relatively new addition to my gear and I find them very helpful when benching close to my max. In my opinion, you don’t need them right away, especially if you are still consistently going up in weight on your bench. They are great for helping you feel more secure under heavier weight once you feel like you need them. Again, something you can use when competing, just make sure you are purchasing an allowed brand and style.
Lifting Straps
Harbinger Lifting Straps
Lifting straps are NOT allowed in competition. However, they can make a world of a difference while training. Straps help you hold onto bars or dumbbells if your grip is not strong enough. I use them when warming up for deadlifts and when using heavy dumbbells. They can help you push the body part you actually want to engage without having to worry about dropping the weight. Highly recommend for training!
Chalk
Pocket Chalk
To help with grip while deadlifting, many lifters use chalk. Chalk on the hands gives them almost a sticky feeling to help hold the bar. If you go to a private or specialty gym, they might even provide it for you. I only use chalk when deadlifting very close to my max, maxing out, or competing. This chalk is loose powered, but other brands come as a block or a liquid. If you aren’t competing, you can get away without it, but it is necessary for competition.
There is a lot of other gear for Raw powerlifting that I did not include because I haven’t ventured into owning or trying that gear (yet!). But, coming from a beginner to other beginners, this is plenty to get you started.
If you have any questions about the specific gear and styles I’ve linked here, please ask! And, follow me on Instagram if you want to see some of this gear up close and in action.
Pink Belt Powerlifting 
Leave a comment