excuse the new guy to powerlifting.

[novicenovicen]

Howdy,
New to power lifting side of the board. I was involved in a conflict overseas and was crippled up for a long time. I have since got back into getting big and was thinking of trying my hand at power lifting.

My biggest question is: I see these suits and shirts that people use and I am curious as to how they actually help you. Thankyou for your time.

[Velkar182]

It is simple. The shirt holds your arms straight in front of you. When you bring down the weight, the shirt gets stretched like a spring or rubber bannd. When the bar is on your chest, you may have 400 on the bar, but the shirt is pushing on the bar with, say 100 pounds. So really you have 300 pounds on your chest. As the shirt unloads the weight feels heavier as the shirt helps less. At the top, generally, the lifter must be able to lock out the 400. How is that explanation?

[novicenovicen]

You rock! Thank you. Now why are shirts and suits allowed? It would seem for competition they are trying to figure out who is the strongest.

[Squatman51]

they were originally used to help prevent injury...many people say there careers have lasted longer thanks to shirts and suits....some of them like denim and canvas are out of control though these days... I can see getting like 50-75 lbs out of a shirt but not 300+ !!

[novicenovicen]

Well are there any natural competitions for those not using shirts or suits?

[Phildude]

I am new also, and had the same question.

They helped me here:
Competitions without gear?

5th post has links to a webpage with overall info on organizations.

Hope this helps!

[Squatman51]

here this should help you with organizations

http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/compare-federations

[HUNTER1]

i'm new to powerlifting as well. thanks for the help fellas

[FearAndLoathing]

Welcome to the powerlifting world.

[power65]

You rock! Thank you. Now why are shirts and suits allowed? It would seem for competition they are trying to figure out who is the strongest.

I love this logic. Honestly. This logic is the prime example I keep trying to tell many lifters here of how the nonpowerlifting world looks at our sport because of the over use of gear. Like a previous poster wrote....I can see getting maybe 50-75 pounds out of a shirt, but not 200+. Thank you for proving my point with your logic. Trust me....you've done nothing wrong. Your logic is correct. But you did help me prove my point to many that disagree with me that bench shrits are WAY WAY WAY out of control these days.

Welcome to the world of powerlifting. Lift and grow for your heart...not your ego. Good luck.

[powerliftmike]

I really like the bench shirts, as they provide extra protection for the shoulders and my pecs. I understand how outsiders may view it tho. Still, it looks like its here to stay.