No matter how much you love the gym, there is surely going to come a time when you start to get bored with your basic workouts. When that happens, the sport of powerlifting is going to be there to welcome you with open arms.
While there are plenty of guys and gals out there who love going to the gym just to get in a good workout and to stay healthy, we know that there are also plenty of you out there that need a goal if you are going to find motivation to keep active. And it won’t take long powerlifting before you realize that this sport is perfect for setting new goals for yourself.
However, before you get ready for your workout, it’s important to note that general gym equipment and powerlifting equipment aren’t necessarily the same. Many athletes make the common mistake of thinking this, which could lead to improper technique or, even worse, injury.
To prepare you better for your switch to a new sport, here’s a powerlifting equipment breakdown so you can know the tools for success.
Deadlift Equipment
If you don’t love to deadlift, then you aren’t going to love the sport of powerlifting. Luckily for you, this isn’t your old high school gym coach teaching you improper form or yelling at you for not reaching their imposed limits of your potential. Instead, now is your chance to learn to powerlift properly, which will help you appreciate the sport of powerlifting.
Plates and Disks (AKA Bumpers)
Those old metal plates that you have for your bench press or squat rack aren’t the same weights that you should be using for deadlifts. Instead, consider a set of bumpers, which are going to be much better for this particular type of lift. Bumpers offer a bit more in the way of give, which is going to be easier on the athlete’s back, and they will also limit any damage done to the flooring of the gym as well.
The Bar
The most important factor to consider when looking at a deadlift bar is the knurls and the general feeling of the unit. You want to be as comfortable as possible while trying to lift several hundred pounds with a deadlift form, and a bar with the appropriate markings will ensure that you have the same form every time.
Collars: Your security
Keep your weights on and secure in place with collars. You may think that you can skimp on paying for a quality set of collars, but that isn’t the case. Your full attention should be on what you are lifting and the proper form it takes. But if you consistently have to worry about a weight falling off one side of the barbell, then your attention will be elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality set of collars to ensure that you can focus your attention on other things.
Platform
We’ve mentioned a few times that the equipment you use should be considerate of the flooring under you while deadlifting. If you use metal weights on a solid wood flooring, then understand the damage that will surely happen. However, you can avoid this from occurring by installing a deadlifting platform where you plan to lift. This will not only keep your floor safe, but it’ll also make for a more sturdy lifting area while you are training.
Squat Equipment
If you plan to powerlift, then you’ll need to come to love squats as well. Squats help build your core strength, which will be vital in helping you succeed with a variety of other exercises. With such an importance on squatting, you need to have the right equipment to help you achieve your goals.
Power Rack
Start off by getting yourself a power rack that will change how you look at squats. It’s hard to get motivated to squat our max weight if you find yourself in uncomfortable settings. A power rack is a fully functional workout station that will let you do a variety of different workouts. More importantly, it’ll get you jacked up and motivated the moment you step into it.
Since a power rack can also be used for a variety of different exercises, it should be an investment that you make into your gym. You’ll be pleased with the look of your powerlifting setup if you at least have a power rack as one of the most eye-catching machines in your workout area.
Squat Rack
If a power rack is out of your budget, don’t let that stop you from getting involved in the sport of powerlifting. Instead, a squat rack will work just fine as you look to improve your overall squatting performance. When looking for a squat rack, get something that is sturdy and can handle all of the weight that you plan to lift. The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not a rack will be able to support you in the event that you truly need it, so do yourself a favor and get a rack that will ease your mind thanks to its supreme strength, quality, and durability.
Bench Press Equipment
You’ve made it through the two most difficult exercises of powerlifting, so it’s only fair you get to move onto the exercise that everyone loves – the bench press. However, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re benching more for strength and power here, and less for physique. Therefore, we want to do whatever it takes to lift as much weight as we can for those few short bursts.
Flat Bench
Possibly more than any other exercise out there, you need the flat bench to be secure under you while benching. That is why your flat bench should be a durable and reliable product that you know you can trust training on. If you plan on ever blasting your max limits out of the water, don’t trust anything but the best when bench pressing for powerlifting.
Powerlifting is one of the most fun sports you’ll ever take part in. But to ensure that you are safe while training, consider the powerlifting equipment breakdown here. Knowing the tools of the sport will help you take your physical prowess to the next level.