Shoes are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about weightlifting. You see a big, buff guy lifting a huge weight and you dream of the day you’ll be able to do that yourself. That’s a great dream to have, but that big, buff guy probably has a decent pair of weightlifting shoes on, and you should, too.
Weightlifting shoes are not something brands thought of to get more of your money. They’re specialized equipment every lifter should have because they make your workouts safer, more effective, and they can even help with some ankle issues. If you’re lifting and you don’t have them – get them; you need them.
You’re probably still on the fence, but that’s okay. There’s a lot of benefits in this article that will sway you our way and by the end, you’ll be running out to buy some new shoes.
Shoes on!
What Are Weightlifting Shoes?
You know how you can’t really run properly without a good pair of running shoes? It’s kind of the same thing with weightlifting shoes. You can lift without them, of course, but your workout will be a million times better if you have them.
If you are serious about strength training, you’ll get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes. It may not seem like it at first glance, but these specialized shoes play a big part in improving both the performance and the safety of your exercise. It doesn’t matter what you want to use them for – cleans, snatches, or if you just want a pair of shoes for squatting, the important thing is to have them on while you’re working out.
You don’t even have to look closely to notice they have a pretty distinct look- The elevated heel stands out immediately and it’s what sets these shoes apart from your regular, everyday footwear. The elevated heel improves the mobility of your ankles and makes it easier for you to get a deeper squat position. If you have issues with ankle mobility, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without these shoes because they’re particularly beneficial for people with ankle issues.
The sole is another important component that differentiates weightlifting shoes from the rest – it’s firm and non-compressible, which makes perfect sense because lifters need a stable platform to generate maximum force against the ground. Not to mention how much it contributes to stability, which is important for both form and reducing injuries. The majority of weightlifting shoes have secure straps or laces to hold your feet in place and improve the stability of your feet in general. Can you imagine what would happen if you slipped during a lift? It can be really dangerous, so you want to reduce the chances of that happening. Weightlifting shoes can prevent slipping or movement within the shoe during lifts and make your entire workout safer.
The structure of these shoes is quite rigid, and that is intentional because it distributes the weight effectively and ensures that the force generated during lifts is efficiently transferred from your body to the ground.
As specialized as they look, the design of weightlifting shoes is grounded in practicality and biomechanics. Weightlifting is challenging (to say the least) and these shoes can help you with some of the obstacles you’ll encounter.
Well… You probably do, but you might not. That’s the most accurate response you can get if you want it to be short. This depends on a lot of things and, although weightlifting shoes are fantastic, they’re not necessary for everyone.
If you lift and you notice that you’re struggling with things like ankle flexibility or maintaining proper form, then weightlifting shoes are a good idea. If the mobility of your ankles is limited, you’ll have a hard time with getting a deep squat, and the elevated heel can help with this issue.
Those that lift really heavy weights and want to improve their performance should also think about including weightlifting shoes into their routine because they’ll get a stable platform for their exercises, and stability is extremely important for weightlifting. The shoes will also help with preventing forward lean during squats.
Basically, if you’re really focused on strength training and do a lot of weightlifting, you can’t go wrong with weightlifting shoes. But if you mostly do exercises like running and general gym workouts with a bit of lifting sprinkled here and there, you’ll be fine with just regular old athletic shoes.
5 Weightlifting Shoes Benefits
Wearing lifting shoes during your exercises just makes the whole experience… Better. That sounds really vague, but it’s true. Your lifting technique, safety, ankle mobility, everything benefits from just one pair of shoes.
Weightlifting depends heavily on stability, and weightlifting shoes improve it. Lifting shoes will help your form stay correct (which is important for reducing injuries), and they’ll prevent any unnecessary movement or shifts in weight distribution.
The elevated heel is an important feature because it improves the mobility of your ankle. People with ankle issues will appreciate this more than others, but even if you don’t have those kinds of struggles, the higher heel will help you get a deeper squat.
The combination of stable soles and elevated heels helps your lifting technique because it gives you a really solid platform. This way, you’ll be able to focus on the correct form and make sure that the force is transferred efficiently from your body to the ground.
Weightlifting shoes are rigid for a reason – to spread the weight effectively. This prevents uneven pressure on your feet and makes your lifts balanced and controlled.
What to Look for in Lifting Shoes
Deciding you want weightlifting shoes is just the first step; there’s a whole lot of reading reviews, looking at the specs and learning about materials that stand between you and having the perfect shoes.
It can be a process if you’re not that experienced with buying specialized shoes, but we have a list of things to look out for to make it easier for you.
Heel height is one of the most important things to pay attention to because it varies among weightlifting shoes. Everything between 0.6 and 1.25 inches is okay, but the most common height you’ll find is 0.75 inches. The type of heel is important, too, because it can influence stability and durability. Go for a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) heel because it’s more durable than wood, and it’s still stable.
The sole is anything but a passive component in weightlifting shoes because it can make a lot of difference in your lifting experience. The ideal lifting shoes have firm, non-compressible soles to create a stable platform, prevent energy dissipation, and give you the amount of support you need for your lift. This doesn’t sound too comfortable, but that’s not the point of lifting shoes – you want support and stability, not plushy heaven for your feet.
When you start exploring all the different kinds of weightlifting shoes, make sure you end up buying ones that offer a snug fit and that are secured by straps or laces. This will prevent your foot from shifting and moving too much within the shoe, and it will make your foot more stable in general.
Durability is directly linked to the material (or materials) used to produce the shoes. You can go for something more classic, like leather, or you can go for a blend of synthetic materials that offer more versatility. Just make sure the materials are good quality (although leather is known for being durable already), breathable, and flexible. And keep in mind that leather needs to be broken in, so if you buy leather shoes, don’t expect them to be too comfortable at first.
Look at these shoes as an investment that will last you for years and years. That doesn’t mean you should go into debt, of course, but opting for a super cheap pair of shoes is never a good idea when it comes to specialized equipment. Choose something from a reputable brand, go through a few reviews if you can find them, and then buy something in your price range. Just make sure the shoes you pick have the most important features weightlifting shoes should have and that they’re functional.
Conclusion
That was a lot of shoe talk, but you really need to make sure you have proper shoes, especially if you’re lifting, Weightlifting is challenging just by itself and you don’t need a random pair of shoes making it any harder, so do yourself a favor and get something that’s specialized and that will help your performance and safety. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but it would be great if the shoes you buy came from a reputable brand that knows how to make weightlifting shoes because, believe it or not, there’s a lot that goes into making them.
Do you wear weightlifting shoes, and do you have a favorite brand? What difference did you see in your technique when you started wearing lifting shoes?
Let’s see some shoe talk from your end!
Shoes out!
References:
- Three new sizes of 23.0cm, 23.5cm and 29.0cm.
-The lateral belt design has been changed from one thick to two thin straps, and the area on the female side of the velcro has been expanded. It increases the degree of adhesion to the foot and the degree of freedom of adjustment, and at the same time makes it easier to put on and take off.
-A loop has been added to the heel to make it easier to put the shoes on/off.
-A new color "Yellow" has been added. A similar Ver.2 model will appear for the current "Red" shoe.
-There are no plans to release the Ver.2 model for the color "white" at this time.
-The size and fitting are the same as the current model.
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Trying to decide on the best shoes for deadlifting? Since we started MAXbarbell over 10 years ago, the number of options have proliferated. King of the Gym has written a comprehensive article on what to look for and has reviewed numerous shoes. Before you buy Deadlift Shoes, be sure to read King of the Gym.
See here for the Best Shoes for Deadlifting.
]]>A closer look at the new Jiriki Powerlifting shoe.
JIRIKI JKP- # 1 color: Red
JIRIKI JKP- # 1 color: White
Side
Mid-top design that firmly holds the ankle.
Rear
Heel counter that increases the strength of the heel and holds the foot.
Bottom
Equipped with Hyper-V sole, which boasts the world's highest grip.
Front
An adjustable strap that is placed in front of the instep. Tightening the strap enhances the hold feeling with the foot.
A "hold counter" integrated with the sole is placed on the outside of the toes. Together with the belt in front of the instep, it prevents the foot from slipping inside the shoe and reduces power loss.
Removable insoles.
JIRIKI JKP- # 1 uses a thin special rubber insole that is completely different from conventional shoes.
The thickness of the sole can be adjusted according to the training menu and competition. The sole thickness when the insole is removed is 7 mm, and the Hyper-V sole directly conveys the power of the wearer.
To determine the correct shoe size, you can also measure the length of your feet. We recommend doing this at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest due to swelling. It is also best to wear the socks you plan to wear with the shoes.
Here is internal length (A) inside the shoe JKP- # 1 (without the insole).
Product size (cm) | 24.0 | 24.5 | 25.0 | 25.5 | 26.0 | 26.5 | 27.0 | 28.0 |
Length A (cm) | 24.1 | 24.6 | 25.1 | 25.6 | 26.1 | 26.6 | 27.1 | 28.6 |
Next, measure your foot length using the following method.
Example of staff:
Staff A:
The length of the foot was 25.0 cm. 25.5cm is the best for JKP- # 1. I usually wear 7.5 US/25.5cm sneakers for running.
Staff B:
The leg length was 25.8. 26.0cm is the best for JKP- # 1. I usually wear 8 US/26.0cm sneakers.
Please use the self measurement method described above as a reference value only. The Japanese to US conversion (below) should be fairly accurate for most customers:
Jiriki powerlifting shoes do run on the narrow side. We do not recommend these shoes if you have EE or wider feet.
Japan (cm) | 24.0 | 24.5 | 25.0 | 25.5 | 26.0 | 26.5 | 27.0 | 28.0 |
US men's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 |
US women's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
If in-between size 9 and 10, please size up.
Color: white, red
Size: 24.0-27.0cm, 28.0cm, 29.0cm
Material: Synthetic leather, synthetic fiber, cotton cloth, synthetic rubber, natural rubber
Production: Made in China
We may be biased, but we think Deadlift or Squat shoes make an excellent gift for a powerlifter. Why? Because they’re are something that almost every athlete will use and appreciate, especially for lifters who have only ever used non-specific shoes for lifting such as converse or vans.
If you’re considering buying a pair of powerlifting shoes for a friend or loved one, you may be wondering how to keep the whole thing under wraps. Yes, shoes make an excellent gift… but shoes that don't fit or don't match their lifting style won’t go down as well.
Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips on how to buy powerlifting shoes successfully as a surprise present.
Take a good look at their current training shoe collection
The best way to buy shoes for someone else is to get a good look at their current shoe collection, especially the shoes they currently train in. The first thing you should check is obviously their shoe size, but there are some other key things to look out for too.
Ask yourself:
The answers to these questions should help you get a good grasp of what they do and don’t like in their training footwear. Once you’ve got a good idea, you’ll hopefully be able to choose something that will fit their feet and their needs while working with the barbell.
Suggestions on size:
We suggest looking at the lifter's current athletic shoes for their shoe size. Sizing and fit differ a lot among the various brands. Using a common athletic brands such a Nike, Adidas, Asics should give you a good idea of the lifter's true size as these brands are fairly standard in their sizing. Please note that Converse Chuck Taylors run big and are not a good indication of the wearer's true size. Generally subtract 0.5 to 1 full size from Chuck Taylors to calculated true shoe size. If it appears that the lifter is wearing a range of sizes, we recommend erring on the larger size.
Here are some suggestions for lifting style and fit:
Shoes for wide feet.
Shoes for narrower feet.
Shoes for Deadlift (Conventional).
Shoes for Deadlift (Sumo).
Shoes for Squat.
All round training shoes.
Keep the box (and the receipt)
Of course, shoes can be a very personal choice and many lifters are very fussy about what they train in. When you buy powerlifting shoes as a gift, it’s a very good idea to keep the original box and receipt to hand! That way, if the shoes you’ve chosen aren’t quite right, the recipient will be able to swap them for a pair that are.
Still not sure? Get a gift card
If you’re still not confident about choosing, why not opt for a gift card instead? That way your loved one will have the pleasure of shopping for their new shoes themselves. We now offer MAXbarbell gift cards.
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Christmas, birthdays, graduation, Father's day, Mother's day - if you have a powerlifter in your life, you will probably want to buy them something related to the pursuit they love. But what to get? While most Powerlifters tend to be fussy about what gear they use when lifting, in a pinch, choosing something from this Powerlifters gift guide will be likely to please.
This guide is for gifts between $25 and $75. In this price range you will find a few higher end products like belts, shoes, barbell collars and singlets for competing in powerlifting meets.
Use these links for other price ranges:
Powerlifting Gifts Between $10 and $25
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Christmas, birthdays, graduation, Father's day, Mother's day - if you have a powerlifter in your life, you will probably want to buy them something related to the pursuit they love. But what to get? While most Powerlifters tend to be fussy about what gear they use when lifting, in a pinch, choosing something from this Powerlifters gift guide will be likely to please.
This guide is for gifts between $10 and $25. In this price range there are some unique gift ideas like our Powerlifting street and parking signs. Or maybe socks and ammonia that the typical lifter is always in need of.
Use these links for other price ranges:
Powerlifting Gifts between $25 and $75
T-shirts, socks, ammonia and barbell collars are just some of the powerlifting gift ideas that can be had for under $25.
]]>Christmas, birthdays, graduation, Father's day, Mother's day - if you have a powerlifter in your life, you will probably want to buy them something related to the pursuit they love. But what to get? While most Powerlifters tend to be fussy about what gear they use when lifting, in a pinch, choosing something from this Powerlifters gift guide will be likely to please.
This guide is for gifts under $10. If you are looking for something small and not expensive that will still be appreciated by a powerlifter, look no further.
Use these link for other price ranges:
Powerlifting Gifts between $10 and $25
Powerlifting Gifts between $25 and $75
Chalk, wrist wraps, lifting straps, nylon belts make unique stocking stuffers or just a little something to show appreciation and love to the athlete you care about.
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The StandStrong helps with 3 things:
*OVERLOAD training by allowing you to do more reps, sets, and heavier weight to gain strength
*EMPOWER you to to squat more by offering more support at the most difficult portion of the movement.
*PROTECT you by reinforcing proper form and technique to help prevent injury
StandStrong Original
The StandStrong Original is designed to be used with any standard lifting belt. The sleek design allows you to slide it right onto your personal lifting belt.
Why is that important?
The same fit you are used to with your personal lifting belt
The same support you are used to with your personal lifting belt
Can be more 'heavy duty' than the StandStrong Flex
Easily swapped from one belt to the next
StandStrong Flex
The StandStrong Flex is designed to be worn in the absence of a standard lifting belt. The lightweight design is NOT intended to be a fully supportive lifting belt in and of itself, but just enough to give the wearer the flexibility to use it on various exercises.
Why is that Important?
Good for people that dont normally wear a lifting belt
Less constrictive than a standard lifting belt
Good for certain lower body exercises in which you may not wear a standard lifting belt
Good for beginners in the gym
The StandStrong Original comes in two sizes; 4 inch and 6 inch. These sizes correlate to the width of your personal lifting belt. Most standard lifting belts are either 4 inches all the way around, or have a larger 6 inch section on the back of the belt. Since the Stand Strong Original will sit at the center of your back during use, make sure to pick the size that matches the width at the back of your belt.
The 4 inch and the 6 inch models are each sized with a maximum belt thickness of 13mm. If your belt is thicker than 13mm then the StandStrong Original may not fit on your belt.
The StandStrong Original comes in two sizes; 4 inch and 6 inch. These sizes correlate to the width of your personal lifting belt. Most standard lifting belts are either 4 inches all the way around, or have a larger 6 inch section on the back of the belt. Since the Stand Strong Original will sit at the center of your back during use, make sure to pick the size that matches the width at the back of your belt.
The 4 inch and the 6 inch models are each sized with a maximum belt thickness of 13mm. If your belt is thicker than 13mm then the StandStrong Original may not fit on your belt.
Proper maintenance of your StandStrong is important for it's longevity.
Wash regularly by hand.
Do not store it with sharp objects.
Do not overstretch your StandStrong.
Only wear your StandStrong for it's intended use
StandStrong Flex: Wear the waistband the same way that you would any standard weightlifting belt.
StandStrong Original: Slide your standard weightlifting belt through the belt loop so that the Stand Strong sits at the center of your back
Leg loops (on both models): Have the loops sit between your waist and knee, usually just above the knee at the base of the quad. (For taller people or people with long femurs, the leg loop may rest higher on the leg, and vice versa for short people or people with shorter femurs)
Point the finger loops on the front of leg loops outward about 45 degrees, and make sure the point at which the vertical elastic bands attach to the leg loops is on the inside of the back of your legs. This will decrease the likelihood that the bands of the StandStrong will jut out during use.
The StandStrong is hand made with high quality materials but, if you notice any rips, tears, or structural damage to your StandStrong do not use it. This could result in personal injury. Stand Strong Company, LLC. is not liable for any injuries incurred while wearing a StandStrong, damaged or otherwise.
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We now carry 2 oz bottle Hand Armor Liquid Chalk. Designed to outperform regular chalk, it's non messy and is antimicrobial to boot. The 2 oz bottle comes with a handy carabiner so you can clip it to your gym bag.
Compare Hand Armor to other products, such as, Liquid Grip, Mission Power Grip, Mammut, Petzl, Edelweiss, and Myoprotein Liquid Chalk. Hand Armor liquid Chalk uses "real" chalk as one of its ingredients, so you get that "chalk" feel.
Unlike regular gym chalk brands like Ader Gym Chalk, GSC Gym Chalk, or Rogue Fitness Chalk, Hand Armor liquid chalk blend has the added antibacterial agent that provides extra protection from germs and bacteria.
Ready to see for yourself? Lets get you "chalked up"..
We are excited to soon be offering SABO's latest Olympic Weightlifting Shoe, the SABO PowerLifts. The PowerLifts will be coming in our next SABO shipment, which will be here before the end of the month. The initial run of these shoes are in sizes 40 EUR to 45 EUR, however the SABO PowerLifts have been selling like crazy in Russia and Europe so SABO are extending the size range.
Features:
Try just one set in these and you won't be able to lift without them. To be notified as soon as these become available, please subscribe here.
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It has been a long wait and there are still a few more days until our new Wei-Rui stock will be here. At this stage, we expect to have our new stock available for sale around the second week of December. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be notified as soon as the shoes are on sale. You can sign up here: http
In the meantime, here is a sneak peak at our new line up of Wei-Rui weightlifting shoes.
- TPR (thermo-plastic rubber) outsole
- Flexible/thin forefoot
- Light weight.
- Wood heel.
- Metatarsal and forefoot strap for added stability.
- Please note that the finished shoe will have the "Wei-Rui" logo on the strap and heel counter.
- Cool, unique design.
- EVA midsole for light to moderate lifting, up to 400 lbs.
- Please note that the finished shoe will have the "Wei-Rui" logo on the strap and heel counter.
And our all-time best seller...
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MAXbarbell now carries two new weightlifting/powerlifting belts: the MAXbelt and the MAXlever belt.
Lift your MAX with these belts.
MAXbelt:
Lift your MAX with the MAXlever power belt. Features:
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1) Find a new gym.
2) Use Dry Hands instead.
As Mark Rippetoe says, any gym that doesn't allow chalk isn't a gym, it's a health spa. But let's face it. Many of us don't have a lot of choices when it comes to which gym we can use. It is not like your local corporate gym is about to take down those ridiculous "No Chalk Allowed" signs and install chalk buckets. That's where Dry Hands liquid chalk comes to the rescue. Dry Hands works like chalk, without the mess or residue. Rub a tiny amount between your hands before your training session and you are set for your entire workout. This stuff works great, keeps your hands dry, stops your hands from perspiring, and then washes off with water. Feel the difference with DRY HANDS, the most natural and comfortable grip available in sports today.
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We spent months looking into selling nutritional supplements on MAXbarbell.com. In the end we determined that it would be a logistical nightmare to stock, store and properly ship a decent variety of products. Still many of our customers ask us where the best place is to buy supplements online. We always give them the same answer: AllStarHealth. Why? Because they are an awesome company that we have used for years and have never been disappointed.
When compared to other vendors, AllStarHealth wins out because…
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