Gear review

[Worf]

I have STrong elbow sleeves and loved them. Either arms are smaller or they stretched, so need new ones but they are 2 to 3 yrs old.

I have Rogue soft 24 inch wrist wraps and SBD Stiff medium (20in) and love them both.

Knees I have STrong sleeves but same issues as elbow sleeves. SBD sleeves which are awesome, and 2.5 meter Slingshot knee wraps

The older STrong sleeves seem to have this issue. They have some X sleeves or some newer model now where this is supposed to be resolved. Mine only made it 3 months

https://www.gymjunkieofficial.com/
Trying these guys out for lifting straps as I finally lost one of my custom straps from APT.

At least in the presentation, it looks as though someone may have found the shop that APT used to use.

Some of us older guys have hand challenges and a good, good set of lifting straps goes a long way.

Pioneer used to make majorly of the APT Stuff, they now make their own versions of the old APT stuff with slightly different names

 

[Btcowboy]

The older STrong sleeves seem to have this issue. They have some X sleeves or some newer model now where this is supposed to be resolved. Mine only made it 3 months

I believe it, SBD knee sleeves now, and need to order some new elbow sleeves soon. I use the STrong knee sleeves on DL day as I tend to hit top of knee on way down with the bar and take a chunk of skin with it lol

 

[Switcher]

The older STrong sleeves seem to have this issue. They have some X sleeves or some newer model now where this is supposed to be resolved. Mine only made it 3 months


Pioneer used to make majorly of the APT Stuff, they now make their own versions of the old APT stuff with slightly different names

Yeah, sadly, the straps were not something Pioneer was willing to get sourced although we did have a discussion about it . So, I kept using my APT straps until I got careless.... apparently.

Pioneer's straps are nice enough and will not give out very easily if at all, ever. I found them, similar to Spud, Inc. overly wide. Iron Mind makes a good version that is not wide but, from my perspective, again, not nearly as comfortable. APT achieved its reinforcement with an additional ply of material and some neoprene in the wrist area for comfort. Man but I sound like high maintenance huh?

 

[Worf]

Yeah, sadly, the straps were not something Pioneer was willing to get sourced although we did have a discussion about it . So, I kept using my APT straps until I got careless.... apparently.

Pioneer's straps are nice enough and will not give out very easily if at all, ever. I found them, similar to Spud, Inc. overly wide. Iron Mind makes a good version that is not wide but, from my perspective, again, not nearly as comfortable. APT achieved its reinforcement with an additional ply of material and some neoprene in the wrist area for comfort. Man but I sound like high maintenance huh?

I have the basic leather pioneer straps. Don’t use straps much but when I have they weren’t really comfortable,lol. Sturdy, can’t picture them breaking but just a basic leather design

 

[Blange89]

How important are quality plates? My strength has increased to needing some more 45's, but don't know if I should be investing in (competition and/or bumper) or just stick with basic steel plates

 

[Worf]

How important are quality plates? My strength has increased to needing some more 45's, but don't know if I should be investing in (competition and/or bumper) or just stick with basic steel plates

Deadlift is probably where it makes the biggest difference. How strong are you on squat and deadlifts?

 

[Blange89]

Deadlift is probably where it makes the biggest difference. How strong are you on squat and deadlifts?

My best is 485 for squat and 550 for deadlifts. Also I don't plan on competing at least any time soon.

 

[Worf]

My best is 485 for squat and 550 for deadlifts. Also I don't plan on competing at least any time soon.

You’re at the point where bumpers or even just the regular lb plates will give you an advantage on deadlift. Especially with a deadlift bar. Squats in that 6+ plates range with lb plates you can get some bar whip that’ll fuck you up at the top, especially on the Texas Power bars. Ohio power bars not so much. Calibrated plates a expensive and if you don’t plan to compete regular cast iron 45’s will do the trick.

 

[Chieftain]

You’re at the point where bumpers or even just the regular lb plates will give you an advantage on deadlift. Especially with a deadlift bar. Squats in that 6+ plates range with lb plates you can get some bar whip that’ll fuck you up at the top, especially on the Texas Power bars. Ohio power bars not so much. Calibrated plates a expensive and if you don’t plan to compete regular cast iron 45’s will do the trick.

Good equipment costs good money. But I just enjoy working on good competitive equipment. Maybe it's expensive and not rational, but it makes me feel good)

 

[Chieftain]

How important are quality plates? My strength has increased to needing some more 45's, but don't know if I should be investing in (competition and/or bumper) or just stick with basic steel plates

Yes, I think that it will not be much more effective straight. Rather, it will just be more pleasant from the very work on more quality equipment) I would buy)

 

[Chieftain]

I believe it, SBD knee sleeves now, and need to order some new elbow sleeves soon. I use the STrong knee sleeves on DL day as I tend to hit top of knee on way down with the bar and take a chunk of skin with it lol

When I tried SBD knee pads for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a great product. my knees are always warm and protected

 

[Btcowboy]

When I tried SBD knee pads for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a great product. my knees are always warm and protected

Absolutely and love mine. Got the SBD elbow sleeves a few weeks out from my meet as again with the STrong sleeves they wore out. Awesome elbow sleeves but sadly 1cm too long to be meet legal. Albeit can only use for squats.

 

[Chieftain]

Absolutely and love mine. Got the SBD elbow sleeves a few weeks out from my meet as again with the STrong sleeves they wore out. Awesome elbow sleeves but sadly 1cm too long to be meet legal. Albeit can only use for squats.

They saved my elbows, my elbows hurt a lot on squats. Since he put the barbell very low on his back and there was a great load on his arms and elbows. But the elbow pads directly saved and made my workouts more comfortable.

 

[Chieftain]

Оverall sbd brand makes quality products. I was able to appreciate both their clothes and, most importantly, their powerlifting belt is a masterpiece. Very high quality and tough. It's not a shame to give this to your best friend, which I did)

 

[aaspharmacy]

Home Depot DIY platform
Reebok Legacy Lifters
Inzer Belt
Rouge Wraps
My woman is my personal cheerleader

 

[3Th3osis3]

If you don't compete and your not at a point were you can utilize overload training I'd go knee sleeves cause it makes squatting more comfortable for the knees and therefore you'll squat more

6 months of knee sleeves and you won't be able to train without them comfortably. What's the point of using them if he doesn't compete?