What was your raw lifts before you started using gear?

**Dark_MadMax** · 01-20-2009, 08:19 AM

And your weight as well? Also IDK but for squats seems my liming factor is core strength- hence belt helps a lot , but I don't see how I would squat 150 lbs more even I get super boost from wraps/suit. I will just fold due to weak core.

**isaku900** · 01-20-2009, 08:30 AM

work your core harder?

umm...my first competition was unequipped (belt and knee wraps on squat) so i'm gonna go with 451/314/500 @ 242 - 12/08/07.

started training in gear immediately after that.

**UHCougar05** · 01-20-2009, 08:41 AM

275/185/315 @198 1/??/98 I got into first generation Inzer and Titan gear soon afterwards...

**DJSTARER** · 01-20-2009, 09:16 AM

OP:

Try front squating or zurcher squating for a while. Those moves will get your midsection very stable.

As for the gear...

lol I trained about 8 weeks before I started using equipment. But i'm a bad example. I've been conditioned for eternal equipment use.

**Beast003** · 01-20-2009, 10:46 AM

455/330/480 @ 200

**burningNun** · 01-20-2009, 11:13 AM

347/198/430 @ 165

**Retardo-pex** · 01-20-2009, 12:21 PM

I've never competed raw but my highest gym lifts before using any sort of equipment other then a belt was: Sq- 420 B- 275 D- 475 That was maybe April '08. I'm just not getting into some decent gear (waiting on my centurian still) and as far as gym lifts go, my bench is looking somewhere between 315-350, Sq 450-500 and deadlift could go from 500-550 depending on the day ><.

I feel like I get the most out of the bench shirt currently due to some minor shoulder issues preventing me from going all out raw for the past few months. Hopefully when I'm 100% and actually learn how to use the equipment better I'll be doing much more.

**Dark_MadMax** · 01-20-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by isaku900

work your core harder?

I do abs (rollouts ,dragon flags, weighted crunches).

Try front squating or zurcher squating for a while. Those moves will get your midsection very stable.

My problem with front squats is that my clavicles hurt a lot .I didnt try zerchers yet - I' ll try but I think because of my elbow problems it will be worse.

**DJSTARER** · 01-20-2009, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dark_MadMax

I do abs (rollouts ,dragon flags, weighted crunches).

My problem with front squats is that my clavicles hurt a lot .I didnt try zerchers yet - I' ll try but I think because of my elbow problems it will be worse.

no excuses. make it work.

i'm serious, not just being an ass. if you can scratch the back of your head, you can front squat. If you can't front squat comfortably, you're doing it wrong or have physical issues which need to be addressed before you continue.

**notsostrong** · 01-20-2009, 05:48 PM

before ever getting into gear my best gym lifts were 365/255/435 at 165

**whotime65** · 01-20-2009, 09:20 PM

im doing my first meet in may and right now my raw gym totals are

sq 720
bench 445
dead 560

**Mustrainhard** · 01-20-2009, 11:05 PM

Here's a noob question: does using a belt actually help to get your raw numbers up? Or once you go belt, there is no turning back? And I would ask the same of wraps for grip as well. I currently train with no gear whatsoever.
Will rep. Thanks.

**notsostrong** · 01-21-2009, 06:05 AM

belt helps your raw numners. wraps help your raw numbers. straps won't strengthen your grip but will let you hold on to more weight.

**DJSTARER** · 01-21-2009, 07:40 AM

i'm just throwing this out there to get people's thoughts:

does anyone else thing "raw" lifting should be beltless and chalkess at meets?

I mean, drawing the line at a suit and wraps seems arbitrary. You can't have your cake and eat it too, IMO.

**eb02z06** · 01-21-2009, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mustrainhard

Here's a noob question: does using a belt actually help to get your raw numbers up? Or once you go belt, there is no turning back? And I would ask the same of wraps for grip as well. I currently train with no gear whatsoever.
Will rep. Thanks.

Do you guys still count using straps as a "RAW" lift? Trying to decide if I should continue training multiple heavy sets using straps at all, or if I should just lower the weight until my grip can keep up.

**isaku900** · 01-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by eb02z06

Do you guys still count using straps as a "RAW" lift? Trying to decide if I should continue training multiple heavy sets using straps at all, or if I should just lower the weight until my grip can keep up.

straps never "count" in powerlifting.

you're only as strong as your weakest link.

**xnametheric** · 01-21-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

i'm just throwing this out there to get people's thoughts:

does anyone else thing "raw" lifting should be beltless and chalkess at meets?

I mean, drawing the line at a suit and wraps seems arbitrary. You can't have your cake and eat it too, IMO.

"raw" means only being able to use a belt and chalk (sometimes wrist wraps) that's the definition of it. it doesn't mean "not using ANY supporting material" otherwise they would lift naked, because even a singlet adds a marginal amount of support.

**Jason2459** · 01-21-2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by xnametheric

"raw" means only being able to use a belt and chalk (sometimes wrist wraps) that's the definition of it. it doesn't mean "not using ANY supporting material" otherwise they would lift naked, because even a singlet adds a marginal amount of support.

depending on the federation. Some federations define unequipped/raw as being able to use wrist wraps, knee wraps, and a belt.

Personally: I lift with wrist/knee wraps and a belt. I don't care how it's classified and will compete in any fed that allows me to do so whether it's in a raw division, single ply division, or multi ply division. Don't care.

**JNo20** · 01-21-2009, 09:17 AM

I did my first meet raw and have used gear ever since. No knee wraps, wrist wraps, or a belt...............because I was so nervous that morning that I left my gym bag at home.

That meet I went 380/290/500 at 198.

**DJSTARER** · 01-21-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by xnametheric

"raw" means only being able to use a belt and chalk (sometimes wrist wraps) that's the definition of it. it doesn't mean "not using ANY supporting material" otherwise they would lift naked, because even a singlet adds a marginal amount of support.

ok. fair enough.

but does anyone get pissed at the holy-er than thou lifters who brag about lifting raw, when they still use a belt and chalk?

I mean, if you're going to boast the whole "no supportive equipment," then you better do it that way.

**isaku900** · 01-21-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

ok. fair enough.

but does anyone get pissed at the holy-er than thou lifters who brag about lifting raw, when they still use a belt and chalk?

I mean, if you're going to boast the whole "no supportive equipment," then you better do it that way.

why would anyone get pissed?

compete how you want to compete.

**xnametheric** · 01-21-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

ok. fair enough.

but does anyone get pissed at the holy-er than thou lifters who brag about lifting raw, when they still use a belt and chalk?

I mean, if you're going to boast the whole "no supportive equipment," then you better do it that way.

I dont get pissed, people can do what they want and it doesn't affect me either way.

and if you get to complain about them lifting raw but using supportive gear then why can't they complain about you using squat suits and bench shirts? if you don't like it, don't sink to their level, na mean?

**DJSTARER** · 01-21-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by xnametheric

I dont get pissed, people can do what they want and it doesn't affect me either way.

and if you get to complain about them lifting raw but using supportive gear then why can't they complain about you using squat suits and bench shirts? if you don't like it, don't sink to their level, na mean?

word.

**Dark_MadMax** · 01-21-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

ok. fair enough.

but does anyone get pissed at the holy-er than thou lifters who brag about lifting raw, when they still use a belt and chalk?

I mean, if you're going to boast the whole "no supportive equipment," then you better do it that way.

I don't think without chalk you would be able to hold the bar- it would just slip out . Everyone uses chalk - oly lifters, gymnasts and that is as raw as it gets.

Belt... maybe...- though I don't think people get " A lot " out of belts 20-50 lbs tops maybe.

**ChaseT** · 01-21-2009, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

i'm just throwing this out there to get people's thoughts:

does anyone else thing "raw" lifting should be beltless and chalkess at meets?

I mean, drawing the line at a suit and wraps seems arbitrary. You can't have your cake and eat it too, IMO.

**Mustrainhard** · 01-21-2009, 01:03 PM

Wow! I didnt realize I was touching such a "raw" nerve here. So it seems that the definition goes by which federation you go by? For a non-competitor, it is pretty much irrelevant then. I do use chalk, but not singlets and wraps, and will continue to do so. Once I have built up good numbers, I might consider the belt. Thanks for the info.

**notsostrong** · 01-21-2009, 03:22 PM

this is so dumb. we already have a 100% raw fed so what's next? ultra raw? 110% raw?

just lift for yourself, go for PRs, and give it your all. that's what i do. i don't tell raw guys to get in gear and i don't tell guys in gear that they are cheating.

the last meet i did there was a kid lifting raw (not even a belt) he was about 22-23 and around 220lbs. i competed in gear and outlifted him by alot. the whole time i had crazy respect for him because he was giving 110% the entire meet.

he pulled a chuck v on his last deadlift, shaking all over the place, taking forever to finish it. that was one of the most bad ass deadlifts that i've ever seen.

this raw vs gear **** has to stop. it's such crap. ...but it never will because some gym rat somewhere needs an excuse to why he can't squat those three plates.

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