Welcome to the world of powerlifting!
So you registered for your first powerlifting meet, and maybe you don’t have a coach or training buddy who can guide you through what to wear on meet day.
For most new lifters, it’s an investment just to pay the federation membership fee and meet entry, so we’re not jumping (or able) to spend another $100-400 on powerlifting gear like shoes, a singlet, a belt, knee sleeves, wrist wraps…
First – the only REQUIRED gear for raw lifters is a singlet, tshirt, underwear, knee socks (for deadlift) and shoes.
Optional stuff – knee sleeves, a belt, or wrist wraps – allowed, but not necessary for you to invest in for Meet #1… UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET IT.
Disclaimer: check your federation’s rules before buying any gear. If you’re putting in the time to train, there’s no reason not to also put in a little time researching the rules.
Google search
Make sure you get any new gear a few weeks (ideally a month or 6 weeks) before the meet so you have time to wear it for a few workouts. Don’t wear anything for the first time on meet day.
USAPL has some of the strictest gear rules: At a local or state meet, you can wear some random brands, as long as the gear still follows the technical rules (link above).
But if you ever intend to compete at the Regional or National level, you’ll have to shell out $$ eventually to get approved gear. Either compete in another federation, or just buy the approved gear now so you don’t have to get it twice.
Now you could always just borrow a friend’s sweet wrestling singlet like I did here for my first meet:
But seriously, if you don’t want to buy a singlet, ask around – maybe a you know someone in your size who is a former rower or wrestler.
I showed up at my first meet and promptly found out that half the shit I usually wore to lift heavy in CrossFit class was not approved powerlifting gear.
My belt looked something like this:
Womp womp. No velcro allowed.
Get a leather belt. One that has prongs or a lever (and no padding sewn in the back).
Fortunately the women in line with me at gear check took pity and agreed to let me share a belt. Those bad bitches happened to be Lara Sturm and Elizabeth Maze, who looked after me all day and are still two of the fiercest ladies I know.
My wrist wraps that day looked kinda like this:
Strike two. This wrist wrap is real cool at the daily wod, but illegal at most powerlifting meets.
These guys will be much more supportive.
$18 from Inzer. Beware the cheaper brands whose velcro wears out.
If you’re only going to get one piece of optional gear for meet day, I recommend lifting shoes (especially if you have trouble hitting depth on your squats).
I wear lifting shoes to squat and bench, and wrestling shoes for deadlift.
You don’t have to get special shoes, but they will help.
Get some lifting shoes and then acquire the other gear as you go.
Now I dare you to look more stylish than this chick on the platform: 
Or her:
Oh you right, same girl.
I intend to move on from the terrible prints for my next meet, so if anyone is a size medium and wants to borrow one of those gems anytime soon, just holler. (For realsies. Lemme know)
Any other questions about powerlifting gear or your first meet? Email me or post it in the comments…
