What belt, shoe, and knee wraps???

[FFQuads]

Belt - I just started 5X5 training. I have been told to use a very high and thick belt. One that is the same size all the way around. Is this what I need?

Shoes - I just ruined my shoes (they were running shoes ) and need to get new ones for the gym. Should I buy powerlifting shoes or what?

Knee wraps - Should I be using them? What kind?

Thanks for the help!

 

[BiggT]

What kind of squats will you be doing?......if you're beginning the '5x5' program, I'd assume olympic squats/ATF narrow-moderate stance squats, so thats how I'll reply, if not then I'll reply again, lol.

Belt : Preferably none.

Shoes : olympic weightlifting shoes are ideal for olympic squats.....the firm sole ensures you don't have any wasted force that could be applied to the lift, and the elevated heel will help you hit depth and feel stable at all times........other than that, anything with a raised heel that is firm will do.....if you want to go ghetto, work boots are okay.

Knee Wraps: No need for them......if and only if you have knee problems, sleeves to keep them warm will do, Rehband makes quality knee sleeves.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

if and only if you have knee problems, sleeves to keep them warm will do, Rehband makes quality knee sleeves.

open or closed patella for knee sleeves?

 

[FFQuads]

What kind of squats will you be doing?......if you're beginning the '5x5' program, I'd assume olympic squats/ATF narrow-moderate stance squats, so thats how I'll reply, if not then I'll reply again, lol.

Belt : Preferably none.

Shoes : olympic weightlifting shoes are ideal for olympic squats.....the firm sole ensures you don't have any wasted force that could be applied to the lift, and the elevated heel will help you hit depth and feel stable at all times........other than that, anything with a raised heel that is firm will do.....if you want to go ghetto, work boots are okay.

Knee Wraps: No need for them......if and only if you have knee problems, sleeves to keep them warm will do, Rehband makes quality knee sleeves.

ATF narrow-moderate stance squats - yes

No belt? Wow. I've been using one. Why no belt when I go heavy? Should I just be depending on my core strength? Thanks....

 

[ErikZ]

I suggest the use of a belt simply for lifts over 60-70% (depending on your core strength). While what BiggT does have alot of credit to it (not wearing a belt at all if possible), some ppl who compete in Powerlifting need that little extra edge a belt provides for the competition, to be able to add something like 10-15lbs by using a belt.
Although beware: do not become dependent on the belt and only use it on heavier lifts.

My Suggestions:

Belt - Titan Lever Belt

Knee Wraps - Titan Knee Wraps (only use these for lifts using 100% or 105% of your total maximum).

Shoes: Adidas Ironworks or Inzer shoes.

Cheers,
Good luck

 

[BiggT]

If you squat ATF, and you have oly lifting shoes on, you can actually generate the power from your core into the lift better, and the only way to really develop core power transferrable to a squat (an oly squat with a narrow stance and upright torso) is to squat without a belt.

Erik is right about PL-Squats.....you sit back to paralell and push your abs out against the belt, and actually use the belt to help you with the lift.......the oly squat is different though. If your core is proportionately as strong as your legs, you'll probably find with ATF squats and front squats that a belt is clumsy and gets in the way.

If it makes you more comfortable use one, or use one on your last 2 sets or something along those lines.....or you can even save it for the 3x3 peaking phase.....just some random ideas/thoughts.....if you did a max set of 5 right now without a belt, then came in next week and used a belt, you'd be able to use considerably more weight with the belt, after training without one for a cycle you probably won't even miss it.

For olympic atf squats though, I'd say try not to use a belt.

ATF narrow-moderate stance squats - yes

No belt? Wow. I've been using one. Why no belt when I go heavy? Should I just be depending on my core strength? Thanks....

 

[BiggT]

open or closed patella for knee sleeves?

I don't use them...knock on wood, no knee problems as of now, but the guys I know who do all use the closed patella. And while Rehbands are a tad pricey, the guys who use them swear by them and say nothing else even works.

 

[ErikZ]

I don't use knee sleeves too, knock on wood as BiggT said hehe
I think that ATF squats make your knees real solid...

Even though I train to compete in PL, I train my squats ATF with a shoulder-wide stance, but feet facing outwards instead of forward. This enables me to lift much more when it comes to a competition (@ comps you simply need to go at any depth beyond parallel, i.e. less than 90 degrees but not necessarily all the way to the floor).

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Sry for semi jacking FFQ-unit! Hoped it helped you too though on a more specific question!

I don't use them...knock on wood, no knee problems as of now, but the guys I know who do all use the closed patella. And while Rehbands are a tad pricey, the guys who use them swear by them and say nothing else even works.

Thanks bro... that's what i was thinking. If you want heat to stay in... why make them with holes?! ... It didn't makes sense.. maybe just marketing for personal perference.. just makin' sure I'm not missing out on any info

YAH they are a bit pricey maybe someone's got them on Ebay

 

[ErikZ]

Hey sarge, I noticed you like Children of Bodom and In Flames...
Shit

Follow the Reaper and The Jester Race are some of my top metal albums (Hatebreeder is solid too)

 

[FFQuads]

Thanks for all the help. I think I'll just use the belt when I go for new personal records- etc. I'll be ordering a new belt and Inzer shoes soon. Any ideas on were to buy them? Cheap???

 

[al420]

Where is the line between a oly squat and a PL squat? It would be hard to judge FF as he is 5'2" 220 w/ 31" quads but his shoulders are really wide and his feet are inside or close to his shoulders. He's a flexible little freak.

 

[FFQuads]

Where is the line between a oly squat and a PL squat? It would be hard to judge FF as he is 5'2" 220 w/ 31" quads but his shoulders are really wide and his feet are inside or close to his shoulders. He's a flexible little freak.

5' 7"..........you are THE ass hole...lol

 

[Tweakle]

a PL squat uses a very wide stance, like sumo deadlift wide, bar half way down the back and involves sitting your ass back & down (usually about 6 inches )

pretty much any variety of gym squat is going to look nothing like what you'd see in a PL meet

 

[BiggT]

Where is the line between a oly squat and a PL squat? It would be hard to judge FF as he is 5'2" 220 w/ 31" quads but his shoulders are really wide and his feet are inside or close to his shoulders. He's a flexible little freak.

Really, the only thing an olympic squat and a powerlifting squat have in common is that they're both called "squats"......the mechanics and execution are nowhere alike.......if you're just busting FF, then disregard this post, lol.

 

[Protobuilder]

I heard he was 5'1 and a half.

 

[al420]

Really, the only thing an olympic squat and a powerlifting squat have in common is that they're both called "squats"......the mechanics and execution are nowhere alike.......if you're just busting FF, then disregard this post, lol.

What are the mechanics of the oly squat?

 

[BiggT]

With the olympic squat the bar is placed high on the traps and you stand preferable about hip-width, but ONLY as wide as you need to acheive depth will do......you break at the hips (some guys break at the knees, I wouldn't teach someone to do this as it leads to dive-bombing, but if you don't dive-bomb and you choose to do this, it is okay, but not preferred imo). Instead of sitting 'back', you sit down on your nuts as low as you can humanly get, then come back up, you keep the back upright the whole time.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

Thanks for all the help. I think I'll just use the belt when I go for new personal records- etc. I'll be ordering a new belt and Inzer shoes soon. Any ideas on were to buy them? Cheap???

for belts-
http://www.valeoinc.com/products.php?Fitness+Belts

for Ironworks-
http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/products/shoesFR.html

 

[FFQuads]

for belts-
http://www.valeoinc.com/products.php?Fitness+Belts

for Ironworks-
http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/products/shoesFR.html

Thanks...

I've used the Competition Classic belt and loved it. Some of the leather belts make me look like a crack hoe has been eating on my mid-section. lol..