My choices are based on personal experiences and what I purchased as novice-intermediate lifter. ALL of my choices below are still in my possession and in great condition. I even still use the SBD wrist wraps and Strength Shop socks!!! I selected the below based on three criteria:
- Must be IPF, IPL, USAPL approved.
- Affordable for all and not exclusive.
- High quality and long lasting.
- A product I have personally used.
- All products combined must total up to less than $300.
My selection below costs a total of $265-266- at the time of this post, they might even be cheaper when you read this. Yes I know some are looking at the above price tag and thinking “SHIT – YOU THINK $300 IS CHEAP!!”. Bare with me, powerlifting at a competitive level is not cheap. This isn’t CrossFit!!
An amateur bodybuilder spends $800+ prepping for a competition which includes; meal preps, supplements, spray tans, trunks, substances I wont mention, gym membership, coaching, gym wear and more. None of the above with exception to gym wear and skimpy trunks or board shorts are tangible and long term. Unlike the below powerlifting gear for novice lifters. For female Bikini competitors it’s substantially more! They have to pay for: cosmetics, diamond earrings, hair treatments, implants and surgery, illegal substances, health supplements, meal prep, show bikini’s and high heels and an endless supply of makeup.
So really is $300 for six items that will last you for years of lifting a massive investment? I don’t think so.
Lifting Belts
1) Strength Shop 10mm Double Prong Belt
- Price: $59.99
- IPF Approved: Yes
- IPL/USAPL approved: Yes
- Rating: 5/5
- Special Feature: 10mm thickness making it strong and sturdy.
- Fabric: Artificial leather
- Store: click to view link
Quick Summary: This is a great belt, my first choice as its IPF approved, 10mm in thickness thus making it a very strong and sturdy belt around the core. This is perfect for a novice lifter and its high quality so you wont experience prongs snapping off, ripping of the belt or the stitching coming apart. It’s also affordable with a price tag of under $60.
2) Iron Bull Strength 10mm Suede Belt
- Price: $59.95
- IPF Approved: no
- IPL/USAPL approved: Yes
- Rating: 4/5
- Special Feature: precision made double roller buckle prongs and a height of 4″ across its length.
- Fabric: Suede leather
- Store: click to view link
Quick Summary: A fantastic belt I have tucked away in my gym which I purchased as an intermediate lifter. Very little difference between the Strength Shop and this Iron Bull belt. It has 10 Row of Holes so very adjustable, a height of 4″ across its length, thus keeping your core area stabilized without any shadow of a doubt. Its strong, durable, 10mm in thickness and the buckle prongs are precision made, custom zinc plated steel. It looses a point for me because it’s not IPF approved, but it is IPL and USAPL approved. It also comes with a one year warranty which offers the buyer some reassurance.
Powerlifting Singlet
Inzer Powerlifting Singlet
- Price: $44.95
- IPF Approved: YES
- IPL and USAPL Approved: YES
- Rating: 5/5
- Special Features: form fitting and comfortable
- Store: Amazon or Inzer
Knee Sleeves
Strength Shop 7mm Inferno Knee Sleeves
Price: $44.95
IPF Approved: YES
IPL and USAPL Approved: YES
Rating: 5/5
Special Features: 30cm length (the max allowed!)
Store: Strengthshop
Summary: These are fantastic for anyone starting out, there not quite SBD prices therefore if you decide not to continue with powerlifting it’s not a big loss. They are 7mm Neoprene Inferno Knee Sleeves therefore it will protect your knee joints with no issue and provide a slight spring out of the hole (helpful for squats). They are also just on the maximum limit for size standing at 30cm which is the maximum allowed by the IPF, USAPL, and USPA.
Wrist Wraps
Inzer Iron Z Wrist Wraps
Price: $17.95
IPF Approved: YES
IPL and USAPL Approved: USAPL approved, not 100% sure about the IPL
Rating: 4/5
Special Features: 12-36″ length options and comfortable to wear
Store: Amazon
Summary: The main appeal for these wraps is the fantastic price point, however, they are fantastic quality, the Velcro is very strong and they wont come undone with ease. I also liked the size of the thumb loops, very easy to loop around the thumb about having to dislocate your thumb like the cheap ones on Amazon (they end up breaking after one month anyway).
Deadlift Socks
Price: $7.99
IPF Approved: YES
IPL and USAPL Approved: YES
Rating: 5/5
Special Features: awesome color options!
Store: StrengthShop
Summary: There isn’t too much to say, socks are socks at the end of the day. However, StrengthShop offer some amazing color options from: yellow, pink, rainbow, red, blue or just plain black. The price is CHEAP, and the length of the sock is perfect for Deadlifting. However, one of my clients who weighed 140kg with legs like tree trunks was not able to fit these socks past his ankles. Maybe something to consider if you do have monster sized calves.
Weightlifting Shoes
Nordic Lifting Powerlifting Shoes
Price: $89.95
IPF Approved: YES
USAPL Approved: YES
Rating: 4/5
Special Features: Price and Heel size
Store: Amazon and Nordic website
Summary: now based on the rules and regulations for the IPF and USAPL the above shoes are legal. IPF and USAPL do not permit shoes whereby The “underside” of the shoe (i.e. the heel and sole) exceed 5cm (1.96 inches). These Nordic shoes have a heel height of 1.4 inches, the inner shoes from my knowledge also comply as they are not thicker than 1cm. These shoes are high quality design considering the price tag. It’s tough to find a quality pair of IPF and USAPL compliant shoes less then 90 dollars. Yes you could drop $200+ on Adidas or Nike Weightlifting shoes, however, as a Novice lifter the cost of these branded weightlifting shoes is just ridiculous!!! The Velcro straps are long lasting and I found these shoes to provide enough stability for my PB’s as a novice.