Squat suit
Stiff canvas or polyester suit worn for squats and deadlifts at equipped meets
A one-piece suit with shoulder straps, made of thick canvas or polyester and worn skin-tight. Sitting into a squat stretches it and the recoil helps out of the bottom; deadlifters often wear the bottoms alone for the same help off the floor. Sizing is unforgiving and pulling one on can take a second pair of hands. Equipped lifters usually train raw most of the year and bring the suit in for the weeks before a meet.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Greg DoucetteDoes it
Coach and IFBB pro · Harder Than Last Time
Suit bottoms went on for squats and deadlifts around six weeks out from a meet, tightening as the date came closer. Getting the hang of the suits was the hardest part of the sport for him. His advice to anyone starting was to compete raw for a meet or two first, since a suit only takes you as far as the raw strength under it.
Source: Critical Bench: Interview With Powerlifter Greg Doucette
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under fitness.
- Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Home gym
A private training space at home, from a garage rack to a fully equipped room
On record from 7 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 2 recommend it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Kettlebell
One implement covering swings, carries and presses in a small space
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 3 do it, 2 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Resistance bands
Loop and tube bands for activation work, mobility drills and travel training
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it, 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
WHOOP
Screenless wrist strap tracking strain, recovery and sleep
On record from 6 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it, 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Cold plunge tub
Chilled tub that holds cold water ready, instead of hauling bags of ice
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 4 do it - Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Heart rate monitor
Chest strap or watch that logs heart rate and estimates calories burned
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 2 recommend it
Gear entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.