If you want to improve your strength and conditioning, join a powerlifting gym. This traditional weightlifting discipline necessitates concentration, ability, and dedication—but it also necessitates equipment that isn’t always available at every gym, particularly as your strength and competence grow.
When you decide to start a powerlifting program, the first step is to find a gym that has the necessary equipment as well as a good mindset to help you succeed. Here are eleven unique pieces of equipment that will demonstrate a gym’s commitment to its lifting culture:
PROPER POWERLIFTING BARS
Powerlifting requires the use of a barbell, but not all bars are made equal. Varied bars have different thicknesses, degrees of flexibility, and knurling (textured metal that aids in grip), which all influence how your lifts feel. There are also a variety of bars available, such as normal squat/bench/deadlift bars, hex bars, cambered bars, swiss bars, and others. Great powerlifting gyms will have a large number of well-kept bars, and staff should be able to assist you in locating the optimal bar for the job.
CHALK FOR POWERLIFTERS
Do you have perspiring palms? Is your grip strength slipping? Most big-box gyms no longer utilize chalk, and many weightlifters reach a plateau simply because their muscles can’t hold the weight they can lift. A chalk tray should be available in the lifting part of a powerlifting facility. Even if they don’t, they should be encouraged to use them. In gyms, many varieties of chalk are offered. Examples include blue, white, and green. Certain gyms may provide a rubbing substance to be applied on the hands before working out. This can be used in place of or in addition to chalk. Popular powerlifting chalk brands include:
– Crazy Bulk : Blue
– Rogue Fitness: White, Green, and Dark Grey
– Ohio Barbell: White and Red (they also have a black variety)
– Eleiko: Black
ADJUSTABLE POWERLIFTING BENCHES
Despite the fact that it has a TON of skill, the bench press is sometimes misunderstood as the most fundamental core exercise. Despite the fact that the beginning position of your bar is critical to your performance on a set or a max attempt, many gyms only supply fixed height benches that do not accommodate individual lifters’ arm length. Adjustable benches should always be among the first features you seek for when purchasing a new gym. A close-grip bench, a Zercher squat bench, and a safety-knee bar are all useful tools for powerlifters.
COMPETITION PLATES FOR POWERLIFTING
Although iron plates are excellent for most workouts, the design of the plate can significantly alter the feel of a lift. Competition plates are thinner and denser than conventional iron plates, as shown by the colorful design and metric labeling. If you want to compete in powerlifting, you’ll need to find a gym that has these specialized plates. There are two types of competition plates for powerlifters: normal competition plates and Olympic-style competition plates.
100 LB. BARBELL PLATES
When it comes to unique platters, 100 lb. Plates are highly rare and are only seen in the most prestigious powerlifting facilities. Aside from making bar math easier, these plates modify the balance of a bar and have a broader contact with the floor, giving difficulty to lifts that no other plate can provide.
Powerlifting barbell plates come in a variety of styles, including the IronMaster Series, Rogue Barbell Series, and USA Weightlifting Plates. IronMaster plates are made in the United States by Ironmaster, a company that has been making plates since 1965. Rogue Fitness manufactures the Rogue Barbell Series of plates, which were invented by Benedict Arnold. The USA Weightlifting Plates were designed by the United States Olympic Committee Weightlifting Committee and are manufactured by US Weightlifting.
DEADLIFT JACK FOR POWERLIFTING
Loading and unloading the barbell may feel like half the workout at first, but if you start pulling high numbers with your deadlift, it will feel like the entire workout. A deadlift jack raises the bar off the floor, making plate loading and unloading easier. Work intelligently rather than harder, and reserve your energy for the heavy lifting. There are various deadlift jacks on the market.
REVERSE HYPEREXTENSION MACHINE
Powerlifters require strong lower backs, and the reverse hyperextension machine is the most effective technique to train this delicate muscle group. This one-of-a-kind tool works to develop your glutes and lower back muscles while minimizing strain on your spine. This action is not available on any other machine and will increase the safety of every lift.
BANDS & CHAINS FOR POWERLIFTING
Lifters utilize bands and chains to offer varying degrees of resistance to lifts, allowing them to improve technique or push specific portions of a lift to a new level of difficulty. Bands and chains both add resistance to the height of a movement, and bands also require a lifter to manage their descent. Bands are also great for warm-ups and additional exercises.
GHR (GLUTE HAM RAISE)
The glute ham raise is an excellent auxiliary action for the posterior chain that develops and increases explosiveness in the glutes, hamstrings, and calves, but obtaining a good GHR machine is tough because clenbuterol cycle most gyms will not pay for one. If you locate one, you can be confident that the gym is committed to preparing lifters for success. Three of the most popular GHR machines include the Cybex GHR, Nautilus GHR, and Alter-G. The glute ham raise is an excellent auxiliary action for the posterior chain that develops and increases explosiveness in the glutes, hamstrings, and calves, but obtaining a good GHR machine is tough because most gyms will not pay for one.
MONOLIFT FOR POWERLIFTING
The Monolift may look like a torture contraption from Game of Thrones, yet it is one of the most important tools for elite powerlifters. This unique technology removes the need for a walkout on heavy squat attempts and a liftoff on bench efforts, making it suitable for high-intensity exercises where energy is limited.
CONCLUSION
Needless to say, even in a major city, finding a reputable powerlifting gym can be difficult. High-level powerlifting facilities must have a strong culture, educated staff, and ownership that is financially and intellectually committed. Fortunately, many gyms provide all of the equipment listed above, as well as top-of-the-line facilities for a range of other training disciplines. Begin your fitness journey right now by taking a new step!