WTF is "raw"?

[Best Bench]

Being dragged back up

So how do the different types of materials change a suit/shirt and how do the different styles change things?

Obviuosly they're all designed to increase your numbers but I'm guessing not all are created equal and does it depend on the individual (torso length/thickness/girth etc)?

Anyone? I was also hoping to find out the answer .....

In terms of materials each has different properties but the stronger (less stretch a material has) then the more force it will require to stretch the material. So the less give in the material the more force that will be stored and released. There was a study done looking at the properties of different materials used in IPF equipment. If you are interested here is the link:

http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/Technical_Rules/material_examination-en.pdf

The shirts are all reasonably similar in the way they work but some people prefer different shirts depending on their strengths and technique etc. There is not much variation in the shirts that are being used by lifters in NZ.

There are a number of federations overseas that have limited rules regarding equipment and also much more relaxed rules on the performance of the lift and the use of vitamins. These are the guys using the multi ply open back shirts and benching 1,000lbs plus. Using the super strong shirts requires a much different technique:

This video shows Ryan Kennelly and you can see the much lower groove with the head right up in order to get a touch. If he kept the head down and tried to touch at nipple height I don't think he would touch with 1000lbs.

[PeterDolan]

Cheers for that

[Rookie]

Well said Alf, its becoming quite common, people using suits very early on before they have a decent raw bench. You showed at the Best of South that your raw bench is decent, and makes it easier to understand as to why you`ll need a suit to break records in PLing comps :nod:

I think this is the case for any equipment, honestly. From my thinking, getting in gear too soon (even if you want to compete) sacrifices some of the foundation development that needs to go on in a beginning lifter. I don't like giving time tables, but I don't think anybody with under a year of solid training should bother with anything more than a belt (maybe knee wraps...maybe), and my conservative side says that extending that out to 2-3 years might be even better.

I took that approach with Sportsgirl and a few others over the years, and it's always worked out better than getting into suits and shirts before muscles and tendons and ligaments have had time for some well-rounded development and adjusting to handling weights. I'm not anti-equipment, but I don't see the rush to jump the gun and suit up at the first chance, either. I think that does more harm than good, from a longevity standpoint.

Well said, its becoming quite common too. I'd never consider using a suit until my raw bench reaches a respectable number and once I've had a lot more time under the bar too. I know ability in using a suit is a big thing, not talking from experience but from what I've heard PLers over here say.

Very good example of Sportsgirl developing raw strength etc before using a suit. I think that is the missing element with a lot of lifters today.

[Old Bull]

Most of The House lifters do the Nationals in their 2nd year of Lifting Raw Belt Knee Wraps (thats as long as the get the Qualifying total).

Order:

1st - 3rd comps Novice raw

Regionals Belt end of 1st year

Then Knee Wraps Belt for Regionals/Nationals second year.

Bench Shirt last comp 2nd year

Squat Suit Bench Shirt 3rd year Regionals/Nationals

then Full Battle Armour Deadlift Suit after that.

3rd Year they should be right into there training and Competing.

We work on this theory

First 18months Training to Train

2nd 18 months Training to Compete

3rd 18 Months Training to Win

Some do it a bit sooner who have there own ideas on equipment and training the ones under Master Braytac follow the above.

[Grover]

Most of The House lifters do the Nationals in their 2nd year of Lifting Raw Belt Knee Wraps (thats as long as the get the Qualifying total).Order:

1st - 3rd comps Novice raw

Regionals Belt end of 1st year

Then Knee Wraps Belt for Regionals/Nationals second year.

Bench Shirt last comp 2nd year

Squat Suit Bench Shirt 3rd year Regionals/Nationals

then Full Battle Armour Deadlift Suit after that.

3rd Year they should be right into there training and Competing.

We work on this theory

First 18months Training to Train

2nd 18 months Training to Compete

3rd 18 Months Training to Win

Some do it a bit sooner who have there own ideas on equipment and training the ones under Master Braytac follow the above.

As a matter of interest what are the qualifying totals?

[Old Bull]

These are last years as they will alter because of the weight class changes maybe up 5-10kgs which come into effect this year.

National Champs

Black for Open Lifters

Brown for Junior under 24 year Lifters

Brown for Master 40 – 49 year Lifters

Blue for Junior under 18 year Lifters

Blue for Master 50+ year Lifters

Men

Grade 52kg 56kg 60kg 67.5kg 75kg 82.5kg 90kg 100kg 110kg 125kg 125+kg

Blue 270 300 330 360 390 410 430 445 460 474 490

Brown 300 335 370 400 435 460 485 505 525 542.5 557.5

Black 330 335 370 442.5 480 510 540 565 590 610 625

Bronze360 405 447.5 485 525 560 595 625 655 677.5 692.5

Silver 390 440 485 535 567.5 607.5 650 682.5 707.5 745 760

Gold 420 470 520 565 610 655 700 740 780 810 830

Full Male and Female Bench Press and 3 Lift Oceania and Worlds qualifying totals

http://www.powerhousegym.co.nz/phc_tech ... cation.htm

[Cameron_R]

In terms of materials each has different properties

....

Thanks Best Bench.

So now I've seen the Bench Shirt. Looks pretty crazy to me! Could someone post a video or a pic of a Suit ?

Also, where do you buy these things? I'm sure Rebel sport aint gonna stock them!!