Question

3.22K viewsOctober 25, 2017

Chris Henry (anonymous) October 17, 2017 0 Comments

I am wondering under what circumstances that powerlifting gear might be acceptable for a high school student to wear. I primarily mean suits and shirts. My general thoughts are that gear should only be used when an athlete can perform a raw lift correctly(neutral spine, rooting to the ground, good hinge mechanics, etc..). I also feel that a certain level of strength should be attained prior to adding a suit or shirt. Am I off base here?

I ask because I am a lifelong lifter who is now the coach of a high school powerlifting team. Our state’s high school powerlifting association has traditionally allowed geared and raw lifters compete against one another. It is currently trying to decide on whether or not it should be exclusively raw or keep it as is. They do not feel that they have the resources necessary to run two divisions simultaneously.

Thank you so much for your time, and I apologize for the novel.

Respectfully,

Chris Henry

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4 Answers

Answer 1 · 2017-10-23T16:01:13+00:00

Thats a tough question. I feel that most kids at that age should build a foundation and understanding of the lifts, FIRST. Then if they want to get in gear, then so be it.

I played in gear in 12th grade some and it only helped me when I went back raw (no shirt). I think that a good starting point is a blast shirt which won’t require too much of a form change or approach.

But I feel you should build minimal strength first, for sure. I was already benching 350 or so raw by this time. This needs to be considered with each lifters.

They don’t need to be benching 315 at 190, but I feel they should be able to bench well over their bodyweight prior to pursuing any gear. Then, progress them to a blast shirt or a single ply rage x: https://www.inzernet.com/search_results_benchshirts.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=4&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=2&subcat=24

I’m interested in seeing what others on the team think.

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Brian Carroll

Owner and Founder at PowerRackStrength.com

Brian is a retired world-class powerlifter with over two decades of world-class powerlifting. From 1999 to 2020, Brian Carroll was a competitive powerlifter, one of the most accomplished lifters in the sport's history. Brian started off competing in bench press competitions 'raw,' then, shortly into the journey, he gravitated toward equipped lifting as there were no "raw" categories then. You only had to choose from single-ply (USPF) and Multi-ply (APF/WPC). Brian went on to total 2730 at 275 and 2651 at 242 with more than ten times his body weight in three different classes (220, 242, 275), and both bench pressed and deadlifted over 800 pounds in two other weight classes. He's totaled 2600 over 20 times in 2 different weight classes in his career. With 60 squats of 1000lbs or more officially, this is the most in powerlifting history, regardless of weight class or federation, by anyone not named David Hoff. Brian realized many ups and downs during his 20+ years competing. After ten years of high-level powerlifting competition and an all-time World Record squat at 220 with 1030, in 2009, Brian was competing for a Police academy scholarship. On a hot and humid July morning, Brian, hurdling over a barricade at 275lbs, landed on, fell, and hurt his back. After years of back pain and failed therapy, Brian met with world-renowned back specialist Prof McGill in 2013, which changed his trajectory more than he could have imagined. In 2017, Brian Carroll and Prof McGill authored the best-selling book about Brian's triumphant comeback to powerlifting in Gift of Injury. Most recently (10.3.20) -Brian set the highest squat of all time (regardless of weight class) with 1306 lbs – being the first man to break the 1300lb squat barrier at a bodyweight of 303 lbs.

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Answer 2 · 2017-10-24T12:20:07+00:00

This is a double edge sword for me to answer! I started powerlifting with my high school coaches and a local team when I was 15 years old. I think what they did with me, and what I suggest for the kids I coached in high school is a pretty safe plan of attack. Once you got to a certain level of strength you were able to add gear. Started with wraps, then eventually a used champion suit, and a used blast shirt. I think the smart plan of attack is to use minimal gear and add gear as the strength levels and ability to complete quality lifts increase.

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Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd is a competitive powerlifter, with over 16 years of training experience. Byrd has been ranked nationally for the past 6 years under multiple categories. His total has ranked as high as second nationally in the 275 class. He currently has a best total of 2500lbs. Best individual lifts include a 1040lb squat, a 750lb bench press, and 735lb deadlift. His 1040lb squat ranks him 26th all-time squats at the 308 class. Jonathan currently trains out of Team Samson Gym in Jacksonville, FL. Before powerlifting Jonathan was a college athlete at Methodist University as both an all-conference football player and track athlete. Following graduation he played four years of arena football in various leagues.

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Answer 3 · 2017-10-24T17:25:25+00:00

Agreed with both Brian and Byrd. A high level of proficiency has to be built before ever getting into gear. If a kid can’t squat to save his life in just a belt, adding anything more will just make worse.

I waited much, much longer than most before seriously competing in gear. So long that I totaled 2000+ raw before doing it! While I don’t think that is necessary, I do think a level of strength has to be built first. It’s all too common to see some lanky weakling get into gear to move more weight and never build a solid base of strength. How much is needed first? I’m not sure. Maybe 1.25x BW bench, 1.75x squat and deadlift? Again, my standards are skewed, but I think that is where I would start.

If your state won’t run two divisions, find other ways for the kids to compete, the USAPL has a strong high school following and will accommodate for both equipped and raw lifting.

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Daniel Dalenberg

Dan Dalenberg is a pro level raw and equipped powerlifter with elite totals in the 220, 242 and 275 class. Best official raw meet lifts include an 804 squat, 507 bench press, 715 dead lift and 2006 total. Best equipped lifts include an 950 squat, 715 bench, 735 deadlift and 2400 total at 242. Dan has been training under Brian's guidance using the 10/20/Life methodology since late 2010.

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Answer 4 · 2017-10-25T11:25:58+00:00

I agree with my fellow teammates. Form should be first and foremost when working with high school kids. I think each kid is going to be different though. I think when you feel that the kids have a good handle on their technique in each lift and they have been doing it for a period time, then you can slowly introduce gear. Start out with the least aggressive equipment and have the kids master technique before moving on to more aggressive gear.

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Dain Soppelsa

Dain comes to the PowerRackStrength Team with many years of competitive experience. He started competing in southwest Michigan in 2001 and has primarily lifted multi-ply since then. He has totaled pro in 3 weight classes; 2304@275, 2435@308 and 2500@SHW. His best lifts include a 1060 squat, 800 bench and 715 deadlift.

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