MY TRAINING AND COMPETITION GEAR



SHOES


I do not differentiate between training shoes and competition shoes, I train in and compete using the same shoes.

Weightlifting Shoes – I have long been an Adidas aficionado, ever since the Cadet sneaker was released in the USA in 1974. Lifting shoes from them were becoming the international standard among elite lifters at the time but were unavailable in the USA. When my 16 year old self called the Adidas offices in Germany on a landline to try to order a pair, it was a half day ordeal that failed. I got my first pair, used, via a trade, actually two trades. I traded Stu Thornberg for a pair of Adidas lifting shoes that he had traded from Daniel Zayas for some US clothing. I had and used those shoes for over three decades. In the end I just brought them out for special occasions. At the 1999 World Championships (I was there attending the International Weightlifting Conference), Adidas were selling their newest lifting shoe for an insanely low price. Understanding that my current pair was on its last legs I picked up a new pair. Those lasted about a decade and a half, with minor repairs periodically until the synthetic part of the toe box cracked completely through. My current pair is a 2010s Adidas Powerlift shoe, their cheapest model ($89 at the time). After about 3 years of use I started having to re-glue parts of the bottom layer of the sole back in place, as there were random separations from the next layer up. A couple years ago I removed the entire bottom layer (the crepe rubber layer), sanded the two facing surfaces clean, Shoe-Gooed them uniformly, and then clamped everything together. They are back to working nicely. Adidas offers several models of lifting shoes at present, but I would still buy the Powerlift 5 model ($94, varies by size and availability) as it is their most economical model. The difference in feel between the 1970s shoe and the current shoe is very small (I like consistency to keep technique efficient), they differ only in the feel of the now completely synthetic uppers. I have had other shoes Kail Sung (probably spelled wrong, it’s been a while, Russian shoe knock-offs, 1970s Korea), Kahru (1970s Finland), DooWin (1990s China), VS Athletics (2000s USA). VS still puts out an affordable and quality shoe ($89)(fun fact, both Kyle Pierce and I have worked with VS on a couple different shoe design projects in the past). If Puma made an affordable lifting shoe, I might get a pair and try them out, simply because I like their design aesthetics (and they share a common history with Adidas).
Powerlifting Shoes – For Back Squat and Bench Press I simply use my Adidas Weightlifting shoes. For the Squat, having squatted in nearly identical Adidas models ($94) for over 50 years it does not make sense, technically or economically, to have a different special Squat shoe. For the Bench Press, the sole of the Adidas shoe grabs the platform nicely and facilitates a solid set up on the bench. For the Deadlift I use a pair of VS Athletics throwing shoes ($54). The shoes are low, flat, and have a metatarsal strap to solidify foot anatomy and produce efficient force transfer over as short of a distance as possible. I also, very sporadically, compete in master’s shot put so having a single shoe that works perfectly for two sports avoids duplication and extra costs. I did at one time also Deadlift in knock-off Chuck E. Taylors ($23) but I sacrificed them by sawing one in half for an illustration I did for a book chapter on shoe construction relative to anatomy (and later in Barbell Sports). I would not do that to my ancient authentic Chuckies ($65).



BELTS


Weightlifting Belt – Mine is one of a kind, completely hand crafted by my father in 1994. It was built to meet IWF specs of that time, and made of hard and stiff leather with a Velcro buckling system. You can’t have it. I will never have to buy a replacement unless the rules change. Before that custom belt I had a standard York leather lifting belt, with a life span from 1972 until I gave it away to a young lifter in need in 1998 (it may still be in use). My advice is to buy a stiff leather belt with a micro-adjustable Velcro buckle system, then take care of it, and it will function as intended and last for years, possibly your entire competitive career.
Powerlifting Belt – Thanks to the DiMarco’s 1983 design and 1985 patent of the lever buckle for Powerlifting belts and it’s expiry in 2003, we all have an easy, fast, and effective method for getting into and out of our belts. To me, lever belts require significantly less effort and fuss than standard one or two-prong buckle belts. My one and only lever belt is now about 8 years old, it’s a Strength Shop IPF approved 10mm thick and 4” wide synthetic materials belt with a stainless lever buckle ($99, the current models are anodized black buckles). My only complaints about this belt are very minor: (1) Since I go up and down in weight class frequently, I change the buckle position on the belt a couple times a year. To do this is simple, just two screws involved, BUT the two screws are soft steel and the Philip’s head crosses have deformed and now require replacing. (2) The layers of the synthetic material are separating. This does not affect performance of the belt when engaged, it just looks sketchy. When I do replace this belt in the future (I figure it has a couple years left) I will simply rebuy the current model of the belt, or, if funds are available get a pricier ($200) IPF approved Titan Kodiak oiled leather belt (solid construction and pretty). You can find many inexpensive lever belts online. Some are approved by specific governing bodies, such as the RDX belt ($57) approved by the IPL but not the IPF. Most cheap ones are not approved by any Powerlifting organization. Caution needs to be taken to ensure what you buy can be used in competitions sanctioned by the governing body to which you belong. While there are a number of manufacturers that consistently appear on the approved lists of multiple organizations, some newer or smaller manufacturers do not renew their approved status annually (it costs money to do so). If you bought a belt from a manufacturer that appeared on the approved list last year, but is not on it this year, you have to buy a new belt that is approved if you want to use one in competition.



SLEEVES AND WRAPS


Knee Sleeves and Wraps – I have three different versions and use them based on how my aging knees feel on the day. If I’m doing a workout that includes the Snatch, Clean, Front Squat, or Back Squat and my knees feel from fine to pretty OK then I use the oldest and cheapest knee sleeve solution available, simple ACE (all-cotton-elastic) type sleeves ($11, there are cheaper, shorter models for as low at $6 a pair), just to add a little compression and warming. If my knees are being bastards in training, I am in a Weightlifting competition, or am doing the Back Squat as part of a Powerlifting competition I go for the more robust neoprene sleeve solution for a feeling of support over a larger area and additional thermal retention. Since Powerlifting has an approved manufacturer list for almost everything, I selected the best quality, balanced against affordability, and bought a pair of SBD sleeves ($90) that also can be used in Weightlifting. If my knees are feeding back 6 or more points on the 10 point Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale, I use my Squat-2-Depth knee wraps ($35) for even more joint support in training and do a tiny bit of movement modification to get the intended work done and through the complete squat range of motion.
Wrist Wraps – I have two methods of wrapping here (1) quick and easy application of athletic tape (about $2 per roll, cheaper if you by it by the case) for just a bit of solid compression to feel more confident on a couple heavier reps or sets (I only do this occasionally, mostly when doing overhead squats), and (2) when joint pain is severely biting into my psyche on any exercise where the weight is supported at arm’s length, I wrap them with robust Squat-2-Depth wrist wraps ($35). The performance benefit of any legal wrapping method used in Weightlifting or Raw Powerlifting is not strongly supported in the research literature, but I’m not looking to add a physical benefit to my musculoskeletal exertion with wrapping, I am specifically taking out the psychological effects of age-related joint pain (involuntary reduction of force production). I do not use wrist wraps in competition, Weightlifting or Powerlifting.



TRAINING & COMPETITION CLOTHES


At some point in the future I might add something here. I’m definitely not a fashion icon in or out of the gym, so what I include would be a simple list of the very basic and functional clothing items I train in and the rule legal apparel for competition … maybe images of some of my more unique items. I’ve previously written about what I consider as the needed apparel characteristics for training and Yoga, so it would be redundant to do so here.



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