Powerlifting Equipment Guide: Belts, Knee Sleeves, Wrist Wraps, and Singlets

Powerlifting gear is having a moment. "Powerlifting belt" searches rose 90% last year, "powerlifting equipment" rose 90%, "lever belt powerlifting" rose 70%, and "knee sleeves," "singlet" and "powerlifting shop" all feature in the top searches.

The question underneath is always the same: what do I actually need, and in what order? This guide covers each piece of gear, what it does, when it's worth buying and what to look for.

We don't recommend specific brands. This guide focuses on features and federation rules.

The short answer: buy in this order

Priority	Item	Why
1	Chalk	Cheap, and improves grip on every lift immediately
2	Suitable shoes	Flat for deadlifts; flat or weightlifting shoes for squats
3	Belt	The biggest performance aid for heavy squats and deadlifts
4	Wrist wraps	Support for heavy bench and squats (low-bar)
5	Knee sleeves	Warmth and comfort; minor support
6	Singlet	Only needed when you compete

Powerlifting belts

What a belt does

A belt doesn't "support your back" directly. It gives your abs something to brace against. You take a big breath, push your stomach out into the belt, and increase intra-abdominal pressure. That stiffens your torso so more force goes into the bar. Most lifters lift a bit more with a belt.

When to start wearing one

• Learn to brace without a belt first. Use it on your heaviest sets (roughly 80%+ of your max) of squats and deadlifts.
• Keep warm-ups and lighter work beltless to keep training your own bracing.
• There's no strict "strength threshold." Many lifters start once squats and deadlifts reach about bodyweight or more.

Lever vs prong vs velcro

Type	Pros	Cons	Best for
Lever	Very fast on/off, consistent tightness	Changing tightness means moving the lever with a screwdriver	Lifters at a stable bodyweight
Single prong	Easy to adjust tightness per lift	Slower on/off, harder to tighten	Varying tightness between squat and deadlift
Double prong	Same as single prong	Even fiddlier; no real advantage	Personal preference
Velcro / nylon	Cheap, flexible, fine for CrossFit	Less rigid; usually not allowed at powerlifting meets	Olympic lifting, CrossFit, general gym

Specs for powerlifting: 10 cm (4 in) wide the whole way round, 10 mm or 13 mm thick leather. 10 mm is comfortable for most lifters; 13 mm is stiffer and takes longer to break in. Most federations cap belt width at 10 cm.

Knee sleeves vs knee wraps

• Knee sleeves (neoprene, usually 5–7 mm thick) keep your knees warm, feel more comfortable and give a small rebound. Allowed in raw/classic powerlifting. Get 7 mm for squatting. They should be snug; you'll probably need to size down.
• Knee wraps are long elastic bandages wound tightly around the knee. They store a lot of energy and can add a meaningful amount to your squat. Not allowed in raw/classic divisions. Used in equipped and "raw with wraps" lifting.

Sleeves are a comfort item, not a strength item. They're nice, but low on the list.

Wrist wraps

Wrist wraps keep your wrist from bending back under heavy benches and overhead presses, and help low-bar squatters whose wrists take strain. Stiff ones help more. Check your federation's maximum length (IPF: 1 m).

Singlets

A singlet is required at most powerlifting competitions, so judges can see your hips and knees. You only need one when you compete. Buy one approved by your federation (e.g. the IPF approved list for IPF affiliates). Wear a plain T-shirt under it for squat and bench.

Shoes

Lift	Shoe
Squat (low bar)	Flat, stable shoes
Squat (high bar / long femurs)	Weightlifting shoes
Bench	Anything stable; many prefer lifters to drive their legs
Deadlift	Flat, thin-soled shoes or deadlift slippers

Chalk and other small items

• Chalk: by far the best-value grip aid. Check whether your gym allows it (liquid chalk makes less mess).
• Long socks: required for deadlifts at most meets (they protect your shins).
• Lifting straps: fine in training, not allowed in powerlifting competition. See straps vs gloves.

Raw vs equipped: what's legal where

Item	Raw / classic	Equipped
Belt	✅	✅
Knee sleeves	✅	✅
Wrist wraps	✅	✅
Knee wraps	❌ (✅ in "raw with wraps")	✅
Squat suit / bench shirt / deadlift suit	❌	✅
Straps	❌	❌

Always check the current rulebook of the federation you compete in. See what is powerlifting for federations and divisions.

Does gear actually help? Track it.

The only way to know whether a belt or sleeves help you is to compare your numbers with and without them. Log whether each top set was belted and see how your estimated maxes change.

GymMonster logs every set and keeps your personal records, so you can see whether your new belt or sleeves are actually making a difference.

The bottom line

Buy chalk first, then suitable shoes, then a 10 cm belt (lever for convenience, prong for adjustability). Add wrist wraps and knee sleeves later, and a federation-approved singlet only when you're ready to compete. Learn to brace without a belt, use gear on your heaviest sets, and log everything.