Evolution of equipment: The downfall or savior of Powerlifting?

[barbndr]

I have to agree with you Doc. Even the one ply suits get outstanding boosts. A perfect scenario would consist of 2 powerlifting organizations. One drug free, and one not drug tested. All raw meets. Lifts judged by the rule book, as they were meant to be (take the old USPF rules). Don't even get me started about squat depth at the Arnold meet as most didn't even come close to parallel. Ah well, never happen but a nice thought.

[RJstrong]

one upside that I can think of is the economics of lifting gear... we all know how expensive it is! if these same companies grow larger and in return put more money back into the sport than maybe some of these pro's (along with other interested lifters) will have something other than pride to lift for... I haven't seen it yet but I am fairly new to the sport... I suppose the question may be do we want the sport to grow into something larger than it is now? Is the sport better off with money behind it or not? gear is here to stay from what I can tell and these same companies have the power to move it in a direction that is very subjective... good or bad. I use gear and have made some progress with it over the years... but I often wonder when I meet is over who is really the strongest raw? raw strength is no doubt the truest test!!!

[powerliftmike]

Well, most federations dont allow canvas. Its always going to be an argument, but thats why we have raw and equipped meets. I prefer equiped tho. I have also heard the arguments about the fiberglass pole for vaulters. It lead to immediate increase in jump height, should this new technology be banned? Equipment advances have influenced every sport and will continue to do in the future.

In fact the only reason performance across all sports has increased is b/c of science. A better understanding of the human body's adaptations to training, diet science, pharmacological, and new equipment technology.

[Doc.Sust]

one upside that I can think of is the economics of lifting gear... we all know how expensive it is! if these same companies grow larger and in return put more money back into the sport than maybe some of these pro's (along with other interested lifters) will have something other than pride to lift for... I haven't seen it yet but I am fairly new to the sport... I suppose the question may be do we want the sport to grow into something larger than it is now? Is the sport better off with money behind it or not? gear is here to stay from what I can tell and these same companies have the power to move it in a direction that is very subjective... good or bad. I use gear and have made some progress with it over the years... but I often wonder when I meet is over who is really the strongest raw? raw strength is no doubt the truest test!!!

the companies are even becoming more powerful tahn we think. inzer was going to sponsor a gene rychlak meet, jon inzer mad gene get rid of the raw division because it was a conflict of intrest to his products, how about that for bullshit, gene will not tell you it was ALL johns fault, but word around the camp fire is that it is true

[RJstrong]

the companies are even becoming more powerful tahn we think. inzer was going to sponsor a gene rychlak meet, jon inzer mad gene get rid of the raw division because it was a conflict of intrest to his products, how about that for bullshit, gene will not tell you it was ALL johns fault, but word around the camp fire is that it is true

ya I figured it could be a more negative issue rather than positive... wishful thinking on my part I suppose. The gear is hear to stay and really from what I can see it is the only money making part of the sport??? (not that I've seen the books on any of these businesses). Obviously bodybuilding has quite the edge in this dept. between publishing and supplement gross profits which allow many to prosper and dump a reasonable amount of money back into the sport that makes them rich!!! I suppose it's an apple and oranges comparison but companies like inzer should really be putting their money where their mouth is and reinvest in a sport that could surely use it. I do have a hard time with companies having too much control (in any aspect of life) and it is really a shame if they pushed big Gene into doing something he would rather not do... whether meets are raw or equipped, big name guys as himself should put on meets of all kind, it can only help the sport IMO, companies like inzer should support powerlifting as a whole and if they don't we all will pay in some way.

[RJstrong]

the companies are even becoming more powerful tahn we think. inzer was going to sponsor a gene rychlak meet, jon inzer mad gene get rid of the raw division because it was a conflict of intrest to his products, how about that for bullshit, gene will not tell you it was ALL johns fault, but word around the camp fire is that it is true

ya I figured it could be a more negative issue rather than positive... wishful thinking on my part I suppose. The gear is hear to stay and really from what I can see it is the only money making part of the sport??? (not that I've seen the books on any of these businesses). Obviously bodybuilding has quite the edge in this dept. between publishing and supplement gross profits which allow many to prosper and dump a reasonable amount of money back into the sport that makes them rich!!! I suppose it's an apple and oranges comparison but companies like inzer should really be putting their money where their mouth and reinvest in a sport that could surely use it. I do have a hard time with companies having too much control (in any aspect of life) and it is really a shame if they pushed big Gene into doing something he would rather not do... whether meets are raw or equipped, big name guys as himself should put on meets of all kind, it can only help the sport IMO, companies like inzer should support powerlifting as a whole and if they don't we all will pay in some way.

[RJstrong]

sorry about the double post... trust me what I have to say is really not that important...

[power65]

I have written about this several times. Equipment today is the down fall of our sport. I think gear is great when it helps protect from injury, and if it helps give you a little start out of the hole that's fine too. But if equipment is adding 100's of pounds to lifts, then that is just bad. Where is the pride in that???? If I know I can bench 500 in one shirt, and by adding another layer to my shirt I can bench 600.....am I actually stronger???? Heck no. Therefore I wouldn't appreciate the lift. All I did was manipulate my gear in order to increase the result. But I didn't really gain any strength. Right??? It is a problem that is here to stay. Not sure what to do about it. As long as egos continue to drive this sport we are helpless.

[Squatman51]

I think its a downfall... the only way it would be an olympic sport if it were raw, or IPF rules