Powerlifting vs weightlifting shoes
These two forms are not mutually exclusive. A powerlifter will probably own weightlifting shoes for squatting and a pair of wrestling shoes for deadlifting. A weightlifter only needs one pair which he is really with.
What is your why
Before we go into details of powerlifting vs weightlifting shoes let me ask you a couple of questions:
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Why do you want to lift
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Why do you want to change your body
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What happens when you do
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What happens if you don’t
These questions are crucial for your personal success and failure. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to achieve them. When was the last time you did this? Can you even remember? If you can’t it might be time to sit down and get your act straight. Many people go about their lives like this:
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What do I want
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How do I get it
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Why do I want it
This is a great way to drive you crazy. What you want changes hundreds of times a day depending on what you do, where you are and who you are with. Making this the center of attention will spread your resources thin and scatter your time between too many activities. You will do a lot but achieve very little. Something interesting happens when you flip these questions on their head:
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Why do you want something
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How do you get it
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What needs to be done
This way you will focus on what matters most to you. Your long term goals will become an anchor point for your life. Your thoughts and actions will become more connected and success will follow. If you want to know how this works on a psychological level read Daniel Kahneman's thinking fast and slow. Simon Sinek's Ted talk on the golden circle will change your life.
It all starts with better habits and rituals. The best way to form them, in my opinion, is to keep a journal. I use the self journal from best self for two years now. Since then my marriage and salary have improved dramatically. You can check them out via this link.
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is the sport of the total. Your total consists of three lifts, the bench press, squat, and deadlift. For each lift, you get three attempts to establish your best weight lifted. The best attempt for each lift gets summed into your total. Based on your total you will be ranked against your competitors.
A big difference to lifting in the gym is that you will be judged. Three referees will observe your performance and judge whether you have performed according to the standards of the federation you are competing in. Two out of three judges have to agree for your attempt to count. You need one qualifying attempt for each lift to make it on the board.
Your total usually splits 40/40/20. The deadlift and squat usually contribute 40% each while the bench press adds 20%.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is also the sport of the total, but it is calculated differently. The lifts in weightlifting are the clean and jerk and the snatch. For both lifts, you get three attempts to establish your best lift. The best attempt for each lift will be summed to your total.
In weightlifting, you will also be judged on your execution of the lifts. Three judges observe and two of them have to agree that you did it right. You need at least one qualifying attempt for each lift. Otherwise, you will be disqualified from the competition.
The clean and jerk usually contribute more to the total than the snatch as you can lift more weight this way. The snatch is the technically more challenging lift and you are more likely to fail.
Powerlifting shoes
Powerlifting shoes usually have a thinner sole and less elevation at the heel. There are no cushioning or springs in them so the sole is solid. By this, it becomes easier to transfer your strength in the form of pressure through the shoes to the ground.
Powerlifting shoes can also be wrestling shoes. These are a great option for sumo deadlifters who want more stability for their ankles. The nature of the sumo deadlift puts more torque on the feet which you might want to remedy with shoes that go over the ankles.
Weightlifting shoes
Weightlifting shoes also have a solid sole. The big difference to powerlifting shoes is that this sole is usually thicker and has more elevation on the heel.
Weightlifting shoes are optimized to get you under the bar as quickly as possible to squat the weight up. Through experimenting weightlifters have found out that it becomes easier to descend into the squat when you shins are tilted forward. This is why the heels are elevated. The rest of the show is there to provide further stability.
Powerlifting and weightlifting shoes
Depending on what you do you will have to do decide which shoes to get. For powerlifters, it is usually good to have separate shoes for the deadlift and squat. Weightlifters only need one good pair of weightlifting shoes they like. Some of your options are:
I have owned most of them and liked them equally. You just grow with your needs.
