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Are powerlifting shoes worth it? [Article]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Nov 20, 2019 9:30:00 AM

Are powerlifting shoes worth it

Are powerlifting shoes worth it?

 
If you are ambitious, get them. If you just want to stay generally fit get yourself some chucks.
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What is your why

 
Before we go into the details of whether powerlifting shoes are worth it, let me ask you a couple of questions: 
 
  • Why do you want to lift
  • Why do you want to change your body
  • What happens when you do 
  • What happens if you don’t 
 
These questions make a big difference in 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 you can not it is time to get a pen and paper to start. Many people go about their lives like this: 
 
  • What do I want 
  • How do I get it 
  • Why do I want it 
 
This is a very easy way to get confused. What you want changes hundreds of times a day based on what you do, who you are with and where you are. Making this the center of attention will spread your resources thin and scatter your time between too many activities. The result will be frustration and misery. Something interesting happens when you flip the running order of these questions on their head:
 
  • Why do you want something
  • How do you get it 
  • What needs to be done
 
This way you create a bias towards long term action. This, in turn, will connect your thought and behavior into compounding activities. That is the kind of stuff the wealthy and happy do. Success will be the result. 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. A good way to form them is to keep a journal. I have been using the self journal from best self for two years now. My marriage and salary have dramatically improved since then. You can check it out via this link. 
 

What is your goal 

 
Whether powerlifting shoes are worth it or not highly depends on your goals. If you do not care about competing the probably will not be worth it. Same if you do not care a lot about being the best you can possibly be. You should get at least a pair of chucks for heavy lifting to have a solid sole. The rest is up to you if you just lift for leisure. 
 

Why powerlifting shoes 

 
As you would not wear military boots to run a marathon in the fastest possible time you also do not wear runners to lift the maximum amount of weight. Powerlifting shoes have a solid bottom and no cushioning or spring ms in the sole. This makes it easier for you to transfer your power to the ground and lift heavy. In addition, they also provide more lateral support based on how they are shaped and that they usually have straps to tighten the shoe. As with everything, you can use a fork to eat soup, but it won’t help you to enjoy the process. 
 
 

Weightlifting shoes 

 
Weightlifting shoes are shoes with an elevated heel. They developed when weightlifters found out that it is way easier to get deep into a squat when your shins move out of the way. An elevated heel titles your shins forward. This makes it easier to get them out of the way on the way down. Apart from this weightlifting shoes are also as rigid as they come. If you want to be connected to the ground to squat heavy, this is the way to go. Examples of good lifting shoes are: 
 
 

Powerlifting shoes 

 
Powerlifting shoes are very similar in built and style to weightlifting shoes. The difference is that they usually come with less of an elevated heel. This is a compromise between the deadlift and squat. For the squat, you want as much of a tilt as possible without being on your toes. For the deadlift, you want to stay as close to the ground as possible. This shortens the range of motion band enables you to pull more. Deadlift slippers can also be a cheap alternative as you are not allowed to go barefoot in competition. Examples of powerlifting shoes are:
 
 

CrossFit shoes 

 
CrossFit shoes are a hybrid between lifting and running shoes. They usually are lighter and have no straps compared to powerlifting and weightlifting shoes. With the smaller sole you can run while still being able to lift. They usually provide less lateral support. Some examples are:
 
 

Chucks 

 
If you don’t buy into powerlifting shoes whatsoever, that is cool. Just get a pair of chucks and workout in them. When you are done you can just walk out the front door of the gym in them. 
 

Are powerlifting shoes worth it 

 
If you want to become the best or take your training seriously I think they are. If you just want to get stronger I think you are also fine without them. 

Topics: Powerlifting