I have spent 15 years in the sport of powerlifting, and hundreds of hours researching and testing the best products on the market.
On this page, you'll find my battle-tested reviews and recommendations.
My goal is to give you an informed take on what's useful, what's going to help your training and avoid anything that may be overhyped.
These are the product and gear that I've used myself. In doing these reviews, I've also consulted with top experts in powerlifting to figure out what really matters when it comes to quality and performance.
7 Best Toe Shoes for Working Out: Pros, Cons, Reviews
The best toe shoes help you lift heavy weights because they offer a stable platform: the ground. This helps keep you balanced, unlike some shoes with elevated heels. So, what is the best toe shoe for working out? The best toe shoe for working out is the Vibram Five Fingers V-Train 2.0. They have thick
I Tried Buff Dudes 12-Week Program, So You Don't Have To
Uh-oh, we found a program that isn’t exactly a powerlifting program. The Buff Dudes 12-Week Program is a popular program that is used to gain mass and improve your physique among most beginner and intermediate lifters. Buff Dudes have a huge YouTube audience (2.5 million subscribers), so with that sort of influence in the fitness
Rep Fitness AB-3100 Bench Review (Tested Over 4 Months)
In addition to a sturdy squat rack and a high-quality barbell, a solid bench is a necessity in any home gym. I’ve been using the Rep Fitness AB-3100 bench for several months, and I’ve been very happy with it. So is the Rep Fitness AB-3100 bench worth it? The Rep Fitness AB-3100 bench is worth
8 Best Deadlift Bars: Reviews, Pros, & Cons
With so many barbells on the market, knowing which ones are best for deadlifts can be difficult. New equipment companies continue popping up left and right, and knowing where to go for quality equipment can be hard. But don’t worry. I've got you covered if you need help finding a deadlift bar. While most barbells
5 Best Gyms With Indoor Tracks: Costs & Amenities
Most gyms have adequate weightlifting and cardio equipment. However, few provide access to an indoor track. That's why we sent our writer, Amanda Dvorak, to all of the popular gyms to review them. Then we called over 120 gyms to verify the amenities, like indoor tracks. Here are the 5 best gyms with indoor tracks:
10 Best Weightlifting Shoes for Every Type of Lifter
The best shoes for weightlifting are the Reebok Legacy Lifter II because they have a very supportive, wide metatarsal strap positioned in just the right place and the highest heel, which is superior for performance. They also have great support but enough flexibility at the toe box. These are the best weightlifting shoes overall, but
9 Best Exercises for Lower Back Workouts
A strong, stable lower back is your foundation for upper-body and lower-body movements. However, exercise selection and form mistakes can cause lower back pain and limit your gains. Read on for the best lower back exercises, including how to perform them and who they’re best for. 9 best lower back exercises: I recommend choosing 5-6
11 Best Weight Plates for Home Workouts
Getting the right weight plates is essential for building a decent home gym, and you’ll want to avoid lower-quality options that’ll break within a year. Top 3 Weight Plates for Home Workouts: The weight plates all look very similar The Rogue Fitness Echo V2 Weight Plates cover all bases. These are the only rubber plate
Cyber Monday Deals for Weightlifters (2024)
[Cyber Monday has ended for 2023, so we'll update this for 2024] As major retailers slash prices for Cyber Monday, weightlifters can snag some of the best gear and accessories for up to 50% off. Whether you're looking to enhance your workout with the latest tech or ensure your gym attire is as hardworking as
11 Best Squat Racks: Prices, Pros, Cons
Before opening my gym in Westminster, California, I did a lot of research on the best squat racks. Most aren't cheap, so to help you avoid wasting money, I've narrowed the list down to what I think are the highest-quality squat racks. Top 3 Squat Racks: Best Overall – Hulkfit Pro Series Power Cage Best
8 Best Leg Workout Machines At The Gym: Top Coach's Picks
Let’s dive straight in. Here is my list of the 8 best leg workout machines: Leg day gets a bad reputation for a good reason: it’s tough! But the right leg machines at the gym can simplify your routine and isolate the leg muscles for more strength and size. As a strength coach and trainer,
Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves Review: Pros & Cons
The Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves are a piece of weightlifting equipment that many lifters use. Powerlifters, bodybuilders, and the everyday lifter can use these to provide extra support for heavy lifts. These knee sleeves provide compression around the knee joint to improve blood flow and limit stress on the knee joint. I tested
Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves Review
As someone who loves leg day, I knew I needed extra support through my knees on my heaviest of lifts. I was immediately drawn to the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves because I have successfully used some other products. I purchased the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves to find out if they would
iHerb Review: Is It Trustworthy?
PowerliftingTechnique.com is independent and supported by our readers. We may earn a commission if you buy through the links below. For more, see our disclosures page. iHerb is one of the largest U.S.-based online retailers of nutritional supplements, including products such as protein, pre-workout, and personal care products. The mission of iHerb is to make
10 Best Shoulder Mobility Exercises: How-Tos, Benefits, Tips
Shoulder mobility exercises are essential for maintaining a full range of motion and promoting overall shoulder health. If you’re tight after a long day at the office, try some of these. Here are the 10 best shoulder mobility exercises: You could have chronic stiffness or even get injured if you don’t have the right shoulder
Stairmaster vs Treadmill: Which Is Best for Cardio?
The Stairmaster and the treadmill are both hugely popular cardio machines that you’ll find in most gyms. Although both effectively improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, one might be better, depending on your unique goals. When I’m working with clients, I recommend both for warm-ups and cardio. But each has its own strengths and
5 Best Gym Machines For Glutes: How To Sculpt Your Booty
The best gym machines for your glutes can help sculpt those coveted booty muscles. Strong glutes look great and are important for overall lower body strength, athletic performance, and injury prevention Machines are helpful because you can isolate your glutes for maximum gains. Compound exercises like squats also rely on your back or leg muscles.
Theragun Prime vs. Elite: Differences, Pros, Cons
The Theragun Prime and Theragun Elite are two of the most popular massage guns on the market. Each one offers unique features and benefits, but they also have drawbacks. I’ve tested both, and as a health and recovery coach, I've worked with clients who’ve tried one or the other. In this head-to-head review, let’s see
Iron Bull Strength Unleash Lifting Strap Review: Pros & Cons
Unleash Lifting Straps are one of the options from the high-quality weightlifting retailer, Iron Bull Strength. Can they help you lift more? I personally enjoyed these straps as they were strong, lightweight, and provided padding for the wrist to not bruise my skin. I particularly liked them for the bent row, and I can feel
Iron Bull Unleash 7mm Leather Lifting Belt: Pros & Cons
Anyone that wants to push big lifts knows how important a quality lifting belt is. The weight-lifting belt is essential, especially if you plan on pushing the power lifts. A great lifting belt will allow you to achieve a tighter brace and stabilize your spine under heavy loads. Iron Bull Strength provides many different products