Powerlifting Briefs

[tackle78]

I was wondering if briefs really help anything? I've heard they basically just support your hips, but do they actually add anything to the lift?

[kara]

I was wondering if briefs really help anything? I've heard they basically just support your hips, but do they actually add anything to the lift?

depends which ones. the little true groove "briefs" give hip support like you said and some low back support but don't add much if anything to the lifts. but multi ply squats suits, with the straps cut off, that come 1/2 way down the thigh and all the way up to the nipples, that people call "briefs"...they tend to add a bit lol. but there are also many options in between those two extremes...from hip, groin, and lower back support to various amounts of poundage added to your lifts. what exactly are you looking for?

[srojv]

groove shorts/briefs double ply help with the squat, nothing for dl

[davebeers]

briefs will add more depending on how tight you're willing to wear them. They're mostly good for wide stance squatting and if they're any good will give you lots of resistance on the negative. When they fit right getting to parallel is harder than squatting up the weight.

[tackle78]

depends which ones. the little true groove "briefs" give hip support like you said and some low back support but don't add much if anything to the lifts. but multi ply squats suits, with the straps cut off, that come 1/2 way down the thigh and all the way up to the nipples, that people call "briefs"...they tend to add a bit lol. but there are also many options in between those two extremes...from hip, groin, and lower back support to various amounts of poundage added to your lifts. what exactly are you looking for?


I've just been reading some journals and such and I've found alot of really strong squatters and deadlifters wearing briefs. I was curious as to if this was simply a safety precaution for the hips, or if it has alot of legitimate use in improving lifts. I was thinking about maybe trying out a pair as I also hear they're not that expensive.
But if they make completing the lift that much harder as Dave said then I don't know.

Kara- Do you have any advice on using some vs. not using some? If so which ones?

Dave- What are your thoughts on this as well?

Thx

[tackle78]

Anybody got any further advice on it?

Jessie I know you use a squat suit, do you use the briefs too?

[kara]

Kara- Do you have any advice on using some vs. not using some? If so which ones?


depends on what you'll be using them for? the really range from "just staying tight" to adding a significant amount to your squat. i personally like a good ol' trusty $42 inzer champion squat suit bottom worn fairly loose. it's just the right amount of everything. but if you're looking to add real poundage to your squat you'll need a far more aggressive material...like the predator briefs.

[tackle78]

thx kara, I'm not really looking to ad a ton of poundage. But more or less wondering if the added hip stability might be worth checking it out.

[davebeers]

some like to wear them every time they squat but i found that this made me weaker in the long run.
The thing with briefs is you need them tight to be moderately effective, however they usually stretch after only a couple uses leaving them looser. So they might work great one week and be stretched out the next week and give you less support.

Unless you're an ultra-wide squatter you shouldn't need them for hip-stability

[tackle78]

some like to wear them every time they squat but i found that this made me weaker in the long run.
The thing with briefs is you need them tight to be moderately effective, however they usually stretch after only a couple uses leaving them looser. So they might work great one week and be stretched out the next week and give you less support.

Unless you're an ultra-wide squatter you shouldn't need them for hip-stability


Ok thx. I'm pretty much an olympic squatter anyway. So the verdict is scratch messing around with briefs.

[kara]

some like to wear them every time they squat but i found that this made me weaker in the long run.
The thing with briefs is you need them tight to be moderately effective, however they usually stretch after only a couple uses leaving them looser. So they might work great one week and be stretched out the next week and give you less support.

Unless you're an ultra-wide squatter you shouldn't need them for hip-stability

yup dave is exactly right on both counts. they will stretch like mad so you have to start with them extremely tight and break them in. also they do tend to artificially inflate your numbers (to various degrees depending on which you use) so when you don't wear them you're like :( but if you plan on wearing them all the time just like you would a belt or knee sleeves then it's not as much of an issue. if you're just looking for a little support, warmth, etc, you might want to check out those rehband shorts. i've heard they're great and been meaning to try some!

[davebeers]

i'm glad i'm not the only one around here who can't sleep

[kara]

i'm glad i'm not the only one around here who can't sleep

lol that's exactly what i was thinking when i saw you posted back :p

[davebeers]

i can never sleep after i do heavy squats, my metabolism goes into overdrive or something. I got 2 hours in the sack and then i started tossing and turning

[kara]

ha ha same here! you'd think you'd be exhausted after but no. hopefully you had a great workout to justify the insomnia!

[tackle78]

thx alot to both of ya. I'm going to end up looking into those rehbands I think.

[davebeers]

rehbands are a great investment, i have a hard time squatting without them

[Jesse Marunde]

i can never sleep after i do heavy squats, my metabolism goes into overdrive or something. I got 2 hours in the sack and then i started tossing and turning

I feel ya there... We get done squatting at like 9pm the last 3 mondays. I HATE looking at the clock and thinking, oh man I gotta get up in just a few hours...

I've been box squatting with briefs lately. Everything Dave and Kara have said I agree with, though I admit my experience is far less than theirs. I prefer the inzer power pants over briefs and strapped suits. The power pants are basicly a single ply suit without the straps. They give me a little boost off a deep box which I like because coming out of the hole is what hurts my knees the most.

Jesse

[tackle78]

I feel ya there... We get done squatting at like 9pm the last 3 mondays. I HATE looking at the clock and thinking, oh man I gotta get up in just a few hours...

I've been box squatting with briefs lately. Everything Dave and Kara have said I agree with, though I admit my experience is far less than theirs. I prefer the inzer power pants over briefs and strapped suits. The power pants are basicly a single ply suit without the straps. They give me a little boost off a deep box which I like because coming out of the hole is what hurts my knees the most.

Jesse


thx alot Jesse