belt or shoes

[trontheman]

Ok, so for Valentines day my wife said she'd buy me a new belt or pl shoes. If i go with the belt, it's gonna be a 10mm inzer lever, if it's shoes.....then I'm not sure, possibly the new Reebok pl shoe from mark bell.

I'm torn between the two. Although i am leaning towards the belt because i don't know it's justifiable to get shoes when my wrestling shoes seem to be ok for now.

What shoes would you guys recommend? Under $100.

Thanks guys

[arian11]

You can get these for $85.

http://www.quest-nutrition.com/store...p?idproduct=39

[lightweightiron]

In. I don't compete but in need of some shoes.

[trontheman]

I'm confused on the elevated heel. Is it really necessary if you have good ankle mobility? I go atg, it feels natural to me. Would a raised heel offer any benefits? I have no problem reaching depth.

Thanks man

[Xuaxace]

I'm confused on the elevated heel. Is it really necessary if you have good ankle mobility? I go atg, it feels natural to me. Would a raised heel offer any benefits? I have no problem reaching depth.

Thanks man

if you are a deep squatter, oly shoes are great. Besides the fact that they are very sturdy, stable, the heel does help. Even if your ankle mobility is good, an oly shoe allows you to reach the same level of knee travel easier, the reason for this is IMo is because the closer you get to end range of motion, the more resistance there is from the opposite muscle to get there, so while you mgiht have the dorsiflexon necessary, the oly shoes make getting there easier. THat said,, this is more important if you are an oly squatter catching a clean or snatch.

I say go for the belt and then get shoes later on if you want. Wrestling shoes are great gym shoes.

[sheed30]

Definitely a belt. In my mind there is no question that having a solid belt that will last you a lifetime is alot more important than the shoes you're squatting/deadlifting/benchin in.

[Firefist44]

I say go for the belt and then get shoes later on if you want. Wrestling shoes are great gym shoes.

Agree on all accounts.

[betaTIGER]

definitely the inzer lever belt!

-they are quality products that last a lifetime
-improve poundages for both deadlifts and squats
-teaches correct abdominal bracing technique for overall safety during compound movements

[lightweightiron]

Does the shoes help with knee? I tend to get some patellar issues when squating heavy often and starting 5/3/1 I will be getting there. I just want to take it easier then normal since I already damaged it before. I normally squat and DL in some flat etnies skate shoes but they have cushion in it which doesn't provide a stable platform for my feet. What size heel would be good for me?

OP, since you got wrestling shoes I would get the belt.

[trontheman]

I think i will go the belt route. I've been torn on getting lifting shoes for awhile now, i just can't seem to justify the price, since my wrestling shoes work fine and are cheap.

Side note......what wraps would you guys recommend? I don't compete or anything, and I'm just wanting a good all around wrap that i can wear for heavy singles and also rep sets. something that isn't so much of a cast feel.

Thanks guys

[arian11]

I think i will go the belt route. I've been torn on getting lifting shoes for awhile now, i just can't seem to justify the price, since my wrestling shoes work fine and are cheap.

Side note......what wraps would you guys recommend? I don't compete or anything, and I'm just wanting a good all around wrap that i can wear for heavy singles and also rep sets. something that isn't so much of a cast feel.

Thanks guys

Lol you can't justify buying the single most important piece of lifting equipment and what literally connects you to the ground, but you want to waste money on knee wraps when you don't even compete. That's like someone who is looking to increase the safety of their car buying a spoiler and then driving around on bald tires. Buy a quality squat/bench shoe & and a quality deadlift shoe that are built to execute the lifts properly and that's all you need. I've had my deadlift shoes since 2010 and squat/bench shoes since 2011. They are both in perfect condition after this many years and will continue to last me for years on end.

[IzzyT]

If you don't have a belt, the belt will do far more to increase your performance than the shoes. You should realistically get both, though.

And don't get a 10mm belt. 13mm is the maximum allowable thickness. If you get a 10mm belt, you'll eventually want to buy a 13mm belt later on. 13mm belts give more carryover.

[Justin.Martin]

I am going to have to agree with most everyone else here. Go with the belt. I dont know what your lifts are like, but in PL, a belt is one thing that you can use to help all 3 first (depending on lifting pref/style)

Oly Shoes are not for everyone and there are a lot of Raw lifters who dont wear them.

Personally, I love my Nike Romaleos II. I think they give me so much extra stability under heavier weights and allows for maximum power transfer when I squat. I have used them for deads as well, but it does put a greater strain on the hamstrings and glutes.

Either choice you go with, should last you for a very long time. So spend the little extra on quality items.

[JBisGod]

I can and do squat and deadlift beltless all the time.

I'll never squat without my squat shoes ever again.


I vote shoes. Makes a huge difference that you don't understand until you have a pair.

The $85 pair posted above look like a solid choice. I'm confident my shoes and belt will both last many more years to come so it's a small price to pay really.

[bodybuilder03]

I must go with the general consensus as well and go with the belt for sure!!

As for shoes I go between my Otomix Shoes and my good old trusty wrestling shoes, neither have let me down yet!

[EasternHammer]

I vote shoes. If you're standing on top of garbage, the rest doesn't matter.

[kaleida]

I vote belt first since the wrestling shoes are working for you...nothing wrong with wrestling shoes, they're grippy and non-compressible.