Powerlifting Gear

[Matthew White]

Two Questions.

1. Which website or business (with a website) can I get the fastest delivery from, and best customer service for powerlifting gear.

2. I've heard of people using a squat suit for deadlifting. I pull conventional style, what squat suit has shown versatility to do both. I normally squat with my heels are shoulder width and slightly angled out toes.

Thanks ahead of time.

Matt

[Scott Markowitz]

I have 2 "big" items of PL gear. I got a squat suit in person at Rickey Dale Crain's gym when I lived in Oklahoma. It's held up great for the last 6 or 7 years of very sporadic use (maybe 10-12 times).
I got a shirt from IronGladiators.com and have trained in it a couple of times. Shipping was fast on it.
I also have some knee wraps, I think Inzer, that I got from a friend but I really don't recall.

[Paul_Koskinen]

I've dealt with IronGladiators.com twice now - service is very helpful and delivery speed is fast. I'll do business with them first before anyone else.

[Matthew White]

I've still got about 6 months at least before wanting to get into geared lifting. I'm set up to do westside raw really good, but the only bands I have right now are mini purples and I have no chains at all, and I will have to ask my gym if they will allow me the use of chains, I don't want to annoy everyone in the gym with the sound of them rattling around. (I'm nice like that, its not a strength gym, and they have a very nice rack for me, so I don't want to ruin it) However I was going to go with the RageX bench shirt, and not so sure on the squat/deadlift yet. Like I said before, I want one that will offer dual use.

(Scott, I went from Inzer knee wraps to Original Blue Rehband Knee Sleeves.......have never looked back)

[Alex Klotz]

While this thread is open, does anyone want to start a debate about geared vs raw?

[Matthew White]

Was not the point of creating the thread. I'm looking for help from those who have used gear before, not trying to get another thread hijacked.

[Jessejobe]

Matt,

I personally like the titan gear quite a bit. I have always used priscilla ribic plgearonline.com. I have had good success using a superior suit which is their lowest suit for both conventional and I sumo, just a matter of learning it. But for 65$ you can't beat the suit, I have had my last one for like 2.5 years and it has worked great. Also I think the furys and hands down the best shirts, I have tried the rages but I think the furys hold up longer. I have a fury that I have had for 6 years and it is still a great shirt.


Jesse Jobe

[Matthew White]

Thanks Jesse, will check that out.

[Brian_Beaupain]

Yea when i was powerlifting i ordered from Pricilla and I would have my stuff within a week. REALLY fast if your looking for titan gear and she has it in stock.

[Alex Klotz]

Was not the point of creating the thread. I'm looking for help from those who have used gear before, not trying to get another thread hijacked.

It was just a joke.:FF:

[Patrick McGuffin]

I tried to joke once, it didn't go over well...

[Anthony Cissell]

I'm a fan of Titan gear as well and LiftingLarge.com is a great website with great service that will get you your product quicker than a hiccup. Plus they always have deals and discounts as well if you sign up for their mailing list.

[Tom Mutaffis]

I have heard some bad things about LiftingLarge as a powerlifting equipment supplier, but it may just have been an isolated event with one individual. Have heard only good things about IronGladiators.

In terms of what gear to purchase - if you are looking for a squat suit that will have carryover to a conventional pull then you are not going to be getting a good piece of equipment for both lifts. Squat suits will help with sumo pull but a good squat suit is not going to make for a good conventional deadlift suit. My advice would be to purchase a high quality squat suit since that can give you 100-200+ lbs on your lift and just deadlift RAW for now. No deadlift suit will give you more than about 50 lbs on a conventional lift and so if you are looking for highest return on investment this would be your best bet.

Shopping around for lightly used gear if you are not in a hurry is also a good way to pick up some equipment. Stay away from things that stretch out or get worn out too quickly though (like Inzer Phenom shirts). Ebay, PLWatch, and other sites are good for second hand gear.

For Shirts: RageX, Titan Fury, Titan Katana
Squat Suits: Inzer Max, Titan Centurion, Metal Viking, etc.

Are there any local powerlifters where you are? One of them may have some equipment that they would just give to you or sell at a very reasonable price. When you are first getting started with gear you do not need top of the line stuff, and it will be easier to learn some standard single ply equipment first then upgrade.

[Patrick McGuffin]

are there any shirts that will help out if you have to bench with a narrow grip? just curious

[Anthony LaMarca]

I am going to have to go with Jesse on plgearonline.com. I have ordered quite a few things and always had top notch service. If you want something other than titan, I have only heard good things about Iron Gladiators. Isn't is owned by Brent Mikesell?

[David Ehrhardt]

I've used an Inzer Fusion, and a Max DL... the Max DL was about 2 sizes too small, took about 30min to get it on and 2 guys to get the straps up... getting down was a Pain, but the suit got me 80lbs out of the hole (584 competition, when my 1rm was 505 raw)...


At all of the competitions i've been to, it's common to see Metal Vikings, Inzer Fusions/maxDLs for Squat suits/DL suits... Titan Centurion is also VERY popular...

As for Shirts... Inzer Rage, Metal, and titan Katana's are all i've ever have really seen used by the big-boys i think?...

I snagged a 'new' Inzer MaxDL on Ebay for $25(still had tags)... and my Metal Viking squatter on Elitefts for $85 after a crazy sale/closeout...

So just look around-- Check Elitefts's closeouts/sales... sometimes u can get lucky =)

[Matthew White]

Guys, hey thanks for all the responses, and David, thanks especially for the specific insight as to what the big boys use. (I'm not quite a big boy yet, my raws are 550/400/700 plus really small change, so you are looking at a 1650 total for a 320 lb man, not exactly big boy yet) I really looked into that titan gear. The F6 (one with the arched back, I have a slight arch in my bench form) and the Superior Squat suit looks like the best deal for me at the moment. I will look into chains and bands a little more before making and purchases. I appreciate all the information guys.

[Matthew White]

Alex! Cool, sorry bro, I was in a mood yesterday, I guess I missed the joke. ;p Its all good.

Tom. Very good point, and my squat is where I need the help most.

[Jim Harbourne]

are there any shirts that will help out if you have to bench with a narrow grip? just curious

nope, bench shirts give you pec and delt support. you need to bench wide to get the effect they offer

[Matthew White]

Jim, how wide are we talking, I got a pretty wide shoulder base, so I put my index on the lines of most bars. (single line bar)

[Jessejobe]

Jim,

I have to disagree Jim, I have my Fury on a few occasions for some close grip benching to see how it work and I did get some poundages over my raw close grip. But yes they are more beneficial the wider you get.

Jesse

[Jason Oyler]

I have heard some bad things about LiftingLarge as a powerlifting equipment supplier, but it may just have been an isolated event with one individual. Have heard only good things about IronGladiators.

In terms of what gear to purchase - if you are looking for a squat suit that will have carryover to a conventional pull then you are not going to be getting a good piece of equipment for both lifts. Squat suits will help with sumo pull but a good squat suit is not going to make for a good conventional deadlift suit. My advice would be to purchase a high quality squat suit since that can give you 100-200+ lbs on your lift and just deadlift RAW for now. No deadlift suit will give you more than about 50 lbs on a conventional lift and so if you are looking for highest return on investment this would be your best bet.

Shopping around for lightly used gear if you are not in a hurry is also a good way to pick up some equipment. Stay away from things that stretch out or get worn out too quickly though (like Inzer Phenom shirts). Ebay, PLWatch, and other sites are good for second hand gear.

For Shirts: RageX, Titan Fury, Titan Katana
Squat Suits: Inzer Max, Titan Centurion, Metal Viking, etc.

Are there any local powerlifters where you are? One of them may have some equipment that they would just give to you or sell at a very reasonable price. When you are first getting started with gear you do not need top of the line stuff, and it will be easier to learn some standard single ply equipment first then upgrade.

Well said Tom.

[Eric Hubbard]

Best Delivery time and customer service for me is EliteFTS.

For the bench shirt, what made you decide on the Rage X? I want to caveat this with the fact that I am a horrible shirted bencher. But from what I have noticed, the double ply Rage X might be a bad shirt to start with as I have seen many guys that once the shirt binds up they get forced to take the bar down way too low. The shirt is real stiff and is hard to touch in for most. If you are taller with long arms I would go with a Super Phenom, Metal Ace, or Metal Viking. I never ordered from PLGearonline but Priscila responded to some questions I had very quickly. I always here good things about Ken Anderson if you are ordering Titan gear. And I highly recommend EliteFTS.

I agree with Tom about the squat suit. You really need to get a separate squat and dl suit if you are going to pull conventional. If you want to compete multiply I would start off with a pair of briefs (inzer preds, metal vikings, titan boss) and and go from there. Single ply I would go with a Titan suit.

I get about 50+ lbs out of my Metal King Pro Deadlifter so I would give that suit a high mark. I have heard that some guys get up to a 100 lbs out of it, but normally most guys get about 30-40 lbs out of a suit. I would definetly make sure you get a dl suit with velcro straps (unless you want to do a USAPL/IPF meet some day), so you can customize your strap tightness. You can start with the straps looser and get used to the feel of the suit and gradually crank down the straps and get more pop off the floor. If you do go with the Metal King Pro, pull the crotch down about an inch before you get down to the bar. A lot of guys have a problem getting into position with a dl suit on which is why they dont maximize their carryover. If you pull the crotch down in this suit you should be able to sit back and get down to the bar and have great pop off the floor.

Find some guys to train with, especially with that bench shirt.

[Matthew White]

Eric, I've been talked into the Titan Fury or F-6 for a shirt, I would never start with a 2 ply shirt anyway, only looking at single ply stuff.

[Clint Darden]

Eric,

I'm dying to get a Metal King Pro Deadlifter!

[Matthew White]

In preperation for the F*** the Card meet on Jan. 6th, I just ordered from irongladiators the following.

Rage Bench Shirt
Max DL Suit
Hardcore Squat Suit

Yeah baby, its on! Now maybe I can put up a reasonable total for a fatty. ;p

[Chris Weaver]

Expect at least one thing to be the wrong size! I don't know where Inzer comes up with there sizing charts.

[Matthew White]

Well I actually expected that ahead of time when I saw that it said anyone over 5'9" add a size to your suit. Since I'm 6'7" I added 2 sizes. Where I would normally be size 40, I ordered size 42 on both suits. I can't remember the shirt size, I think I put my measurements in for them to custom make it.

[Eric Hubbard]

Eric,

I'm dying to get a Metal King Pro Deadlifter!

I believe they just had a 25% OFF Sale at EliteFTS

[Matthew White]

I tried to call Brent at irongladiators, sent him an email just now though. His phone on the website doesn't work, does anyone know how to get ahold of him or anyone else that works at irongladiators? Just trying to see what the hold up on my gear is.

Matt

[Daniel Atchison]

Ive ordered from liftinglarge.com. Great turnover time. Ordered from Iron Gladiators, Brent is awesome. Elitefts takes forever. Inzer takes for ever. APT is ok.

Matt you need to bring your fussle back up here for some benching.

[Matthew White]

Dan, I will, but you totally missed mah last question on here. ;p

Matt

[Matthew White]

The email on the website doesn't work for me either. info@irongladiators.com

???

[Daniel Atchison]

Ahhh.... Hmmm. Let me see.

[Daniel Atchison]

did you try brent@irongladiators.com?

[Matthew White]

Will send one to that email and see if it works.

Matt

[Matthew White]

He got back to me, guess Inzer is having issues lately, so they are going to re-ship the items to me, and should have them monday.

[Carl Foemmel]

Matt, do you know what sort of issues Inzer is having? I ordered a belt from them a few weeks ago and havn't heard anything. Thanks man,

Carl F

[Chad Robison]

Matt, do you know what sort of issues Inzer is having? I ordered a belt from them a few weeks ago and havn't heard anything. Thanks man,

Carl F

Carl,

You will probably have to call Inzer and keep hounding them, I have bought a few items from them recently and from my experience the customer service was terrible. I bought some wrist wraps about 4 months ago, I didnt see or hear anything for 2 weeks. I kept calling and calling and finally someone there told me my wraps werent even in production yet. Took another 4 weeks til I got them, yet according to their website everything was in stock when I ordered them.

Chad Robison

[Matthew White]

Carl, Brent elluded to Inzer doing some firing and hiring (or something to that effect) and alot of new people working there at the moment. I can imagine a business like that trying to train new people is a hassle so that's most likely the issue at hand. Personally, if Inzer comes around and fixes its customer service, I think it would monopolize this industry.