Equipped Lifting: How to Begin

Where is a good place to start with equipped lifting, training-wise, and program-wise? Should I start with just learning how to use the gear? But then from that, what do you progress to!?

Lots to think about! Help!

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I hope that I can give you a decent answer. I've only been using powerlifting gear for a year...belt included. It would be great if I knew more specifics about what you were asking.

• What kind of gear or you wearing or are you looking to purchase?
• Do you plan to compete? Where? What do they allow?
• Are there others at your gym that also train in gear?

I'd really make sure that if you are looking to buy full gear (suit, briefs, wraps, belt, shirt, deadlift suit, etc...) you take the time to ask around about which combination(s) work best. Example: I wanted a squat suit and briefs, so I e-mailed Dave Tate. He told me to get the ACE Pro Squat Suit and the Viking Briefs. I talked to Jim Wendler on the phone and he told me the same thing. I called Ms. Rhonda and ordered the ACE Pro Metal Squat Suit and the METAL ACE PRO Briefs, and chose not to listen to anyone. Several months later I'm still not intelligent enough to squat with both of them on at the same time...it is just TOO MUCH GEAR for my experience level.

As far as how to set up your training if you are new to using gear I'd suggest:

1. Get ready for some long training sessions, you will need multiple sets to get used to your support gear. In order to get the lift right, you are going to need lots of time.
2. Have some good spotters. You are going to make mistakes and when you are wearing gear they can often be dangerous ones - either for yourself or equipment you are using (trust me, I recently ruined ANOTHER bar).
3. Plan on backing off your training program for a month so that you can experiment with what is going to work for you.
4. Video as much as you possibly can of your training sessions so that you can go home and analyze your lifts. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
5. Never stop asking questions!