If you want to maximize your performance, they are. They are not relevant to become strong. 

 

 

Before we go into the details of whether powerlifting shoes are necessary, let me ask you a couple of question: 

 

 

These are essential questions for your personal success and failure. Research shows that people who write down their goals and reflect on them are more likely to make them a reality. When was the last time you did this? Can you even remember? If the answer is no it is time to get a pen and paper and start. Many people go about their lives like this: 

 

 

This is a great way to get lost. What you want changes hundreds of times a day depending on what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. Your instincts will immediately and instinctively react to your surroundings. Making this the guiding principle of your life will not help you to feel happy and fulfilled. Being fulfilled is about reaching your long term goals and not about stuffing your face with that burger you desperately want each day. Focusing on what you want will spread your resources thin and scatter your time between too many activities. Something interesting happens when you flip these questions on their head: 

 

 

This way you will focus on what matters to you long term. The strategy will become more apparent to you. Your thoughts and actions will become more connected and success will follow. If you want to know who’s 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 is to keep track in a journal. I personally use the self journal from best self for two years now. Since then my marriage and salary have dramatically improved. 

 

 

Powerlifting is the sport of the total. Your total consists of three lifts. These three lifts are the bench press, squat, and deadlift. For each lift, you get three attempts to lift the most possible weight. The best attempt for each lift will be counted towards your total. Based on your total you will be ranked against your competitors. 

 

A big difference in lifting weights in the gym is that you will be judged. Three referees will observe your actions from three different angles. They decide whether you performed according to the standards of the federation you are competing in. You need at least one qualifying attempt for each lift to make it on the board. Otherwise, you will be disqualified. 

 

Shoes can help to perform better. Especially for the squat. There are certain rules to comply with, but the simplest is that you have to wear shoes to compete. So, yes shoes are necessary.

 

There are many different variations of shoes which could count as Powerlifting shoes. The main categories are: 

 

 

Weightlifting shoes have a raised heel. This makes it easier for your shins to tilt forward to get your body out of the way for the squat. These are shoes which you probably want to get if you consider competing. Good options are: 

 

 

CrossFit shoes are a hybrid between running shoes and lifting shoes. They also have a raised heel. They are a good fit if you want to incorporate barbell work into your overall fitness regime with the intent of maximum strength work. Examples of CrossFit shoes are: 

 

 

Wrestling and boxing shoes can also be an alternative for lifters. Especially sumo deadlifts seem to like them to accommodate for the extra torque on the ankles. Some examples are:

 

 

Dedicated powerlifting usually is very sturdy and heavy. They also have a tendency to not look the best. Some options are: 

 

 

If you do not want to bother with any of these, converse will also do. They are not great but a good option for a beginning lifter who does not want to invest a lot but does not want to go barefoot or in runners. 

 

In the gym, you do need shoes for hygiene reasons. Most gym owners will not let you go around without anything on your feet. Converse are a good option here too. Deadlift slippers can also be used if you want to go the all natural way. 

 

They are necessary for hygiene purposes. The lift that benefits most from the right shoes is the squat. The raised heel does make a difference for your squat. For the deadlift, you need flat shoes with a solid sole. For the bench press, it does not make a lot of difference, as long as the shoes have a good grip so you do not slip during the lift.