Topic: First Time Competition - Gear question.

[Paul LaDuke]

I plan to compete for the first time ever this summer in the Keystone State Games.  The Keystone State Games are not USAW sanctioned but they are following the USAW rules for competition.  (BTW - I am 38yo and looking for the enjoyment and experience of lifting, not a hardcore type).  

I have purchased some shoes online, which I am happy with (but they are butt ugly).  I got a great deal on Red Line knee wraps on Ebay.  I need a singlet.

My question is:  Should I purchase a suit designed specifically for weightlifting or will any singlet do?  

As I am not a serious competitor I do not want to spend alot of money on a singlet.  I workout at work, so I will probably not use the singlet for workouts except once or twice to get the feel of lifting in a singlet.  I work for a school with a wrestling program and can use a wrestling singlet.

[Dane Hussey]

As long as the wrestling singlet conforms to the USAW rules, I would try it out to make sure it is not too tight or binding. You can always purchase a singlet made specifically for weightlifting from a manufacturer such as Adidas.

[John Mosca]

Paul
Not more than 2 hours ago a stopped at a little mom and pop sporting goods store and got a plain black singlet made by Brute for $26. The big stores don't carry them but the neighborhood stores which cater to the local high schools have that stuff because they service the wrestlers. I'll be entering my 1st meet at age 52 this August. Good luck to you.
ps: if you don't like the shoes sell them on ebay and get the ones from Glenn Pendlay.

[Paul LaDuke]

Thanks for the responses!

As I am new to the sport, I am not confident in my interpretation of the uniform rules.  As I understand it, the singlet must be snug and not cover the knees or the elbows.  

Are there any other rules that I must be aware of?

[John Mosca]

Does anyone here wear a belt?  I don't plan to.

[Monterio Woodson]

I would echo most of what Jon said.  The bottom line is that you should do what's comfortable for YOU, not necessarily what others do.  I don't wear a belt when I snatch, but I DO wear a belt when I clean & jerk.  Like Jon said, it's probably more psychological on my part to wear the belt for CJ, but the mental aspect of lifting (especially in competition) is not to be taken lightly!

I wore a thick, lever belt back when I was powerlifting.  So, I wear that same belt now.  It's almost like a security blanket at this point.  However, my lack of shoulder flexibility (working on it!) tends to make my heavy jerks push a little out front, causing me to lean back.  Being able to push my abs against my belt very often helps me to save a lift when my technique is less than stellar.

Similarly, things like wrist wraps and knee wraps or knee sleeves... that's all "lifter-specific" stuff.  Try 'em all, keep what you like.

Monterio

[Dane Hussey]

Does anyone here wear a belt?  I don't plan to.

 
For any of you old timers out there, here is a possible explanation as to why most Masters wear a belt. Many years ago when the press was a competition lift, the technique degenerated from a "military press" to a "double layback". During the second layback, some lifters backs were almost parallel to the platform. In my case, I couldn't do the double layback with any success, and just stood there and pushed and hoped that I could get past that gravity thing. But for those who could do it, it looked painful.

[Dane Hussey]

what were your best lifts
what year
what bodyweight

100, 132.5  at a meet in Missouri in 1977 in the 56Kg class.

112.5, 142.5 as an extra (I was living in Kansas) at the Missouri State Championships in 1979 in the 60Kg class.  
 

did you ever win nationals

 
1975, 1976 - 60Kg class
 

when did you stop and resume
what age did you start

 
Started in 1965 at the ripe old age of 15, hung it up in 1984 at 35. Started running, quit that in 1998. Got fat. Tipped the Toledos at 84Kg in January 2004. (the Pillsbury Doughboy would have been proud) My wife put me on the South Beach diet (I didn't think it would work, but it did). Started lifting again in October 2004. Lifted in the American Masters in the 62Kg class and the National Masters in the 56Kg class.
 

who was your coach

 
My first coach was Joe Joseph. He also coached Gary Cleveland, National Champion, 1964, 1965, and 1964 Olympian in the 82.5Kg class. In the later years, my coach was Halsey Miller of Southern Illinois University.
 

did you also ever compete in other sports:?:

 
I was on the wrestling team, grades 7-10. (Not quite tall enough for basketball)