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I’ve used the Virus singlet to compete in both powerlifting and weightlifting competitions, and it is by far my favorite singlet to compete in of the 4 singlets that I own. The Virus Elevate V3 Singlet is always my first choice because it fits the best, feels the best, and allows me to focus on my performance, rather than having to adjust my singlet after every attempt.
So, is the virus singlet worth the money? Yes, the Virus Singlet is worth the money because of the excellent material quality (it’s thick and supportive), the comfortable fit (especially the women’s version), the durability of the fabric in high contact areas (when the barbell makes contact with the thighs in the CJ and snatch), and the many design options.
In this article. I’ll dive into the pros and cons of the virus singlet, what key features I believe make the virus singlet one of the best on the market, and provide customer reviews that will help you determine if the virus singlet is the right fit for you, or if there’s a better product out there to suit your needs.
In a hurry? You can check out the Men's Singlet and Women's Singlet on Virus.
Virus Singlet: Detailed Overview
The virus singlet is built primarily for weightlifters but has also gained popularity amongst powerlifters because of the style, the material used, and the fit of the singlet for both men and women.
Women specifically are drawn towards the virus singlet because it fits as if it was built with women in mind, rather than simply presenting a smaller version of the men’s singlet and calling it a “women’s fit”.
The singlet is built to last by implementing key features that protect the product from wearing out with heavy barbell contact and heavy-duty stitching to prevent tearing during loaded movements of both powerlifting and weightlifting.
Company History
Compared with other weightlifting singlet brands like Nike and Adidas, or powerlifting singlet brands, like Inzer and Titan, Virus is a relatively new player in the space.
Virus was founded in 2010 and has since grown to be one of the leading companies for weightlifting. In addition, the company supplies and sponsors athletes from other sports including powerlifting, paddling, jiu-jitsu, CrossFit, mixed martial arts, and obstacle course racing.
All of their products, from compression pants to singlets, are designed with individual athletes in mind, and their mission is to offer performance wear that we can rely on in training, in competition, and for recovery.
Most recently, Virus was named the “Official Apparel Provider” for Canadian Weightlifting and will partner with the CWFHS to supply a variety of items for Canadian national team members and assist in designing Canada’s Olympic Singlets.
Virus Singlet: Pros, Cons, & My Experience
The Virus singlet is marketed as a singlet that functions for all barbell sports, and is designed with reinforced panels and heavy-duty stitching to make the singlet more durable.
It is made of their BioCeramic fabric which is a blend of 75% nylon and 25% spandex, that is designed to move with us without being overly compressive.
What is BioCeramic clothing you might ask? Honestly, I had no idea either until looking into it more.
I don't know if the science is legit or not, but it’s a huge trend in pro sports apparel right now. I even recently saw Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady talking about BioCeramic clothing.
The idea is that the material naturally emits “far infrared radiation” when worn, essentially a gentle heat that can penetrate the skin 1.5 inches deep, which has therapeutic benefits such as reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and helping the body to recover faster.
The Virus Singlet is definitely the only singlet on the market that incorporates this sort of technology.
Anyways, moving on…
As someone who competes in weightlifting and powerlifting, I need a singlet with reinforced paneling and heavy-duty stitching because I want a singlet that is going to hold up over time and be resistant to tearing, while not restricting my movements.
The Virus Singlet passes the durability test for me.
The knurling on the barbell is not very forgiving and in movements like the deadlift, the snatch, and the clean & jerk that involve the bar traveling up the thigh, I want the extra protection on the thighs that a singlet with quad paneling offers, and that I know isn’t going to fall apart.
The singlet is available in both a men’s fit and women’s fit with design modifications to compliment their unique features. The coverage these singlets offer in the men’s fit is an 8.5” inseam, and for the women’s singlets an inseam of 4.5” (Elevate V3 singlet).
The leg length for the singlets is also an important feature because I don’t want the singlet riding up while I'm lifting. Not only is it uncomfortable when the singlet rides up but it is also distracting, and therefore may affect my performance. The longer inseam makes me feel more secure and protects my thighs from the knurling of the bar in the Olympic lifts and in the deadlift.
One major con if you're a powerlifter is that this singlet is not approved for high level powerlifting competitions (National or International). However, this isn't a problem if you're a local or state powerlifter, or if you're an Olympic weightlifter.
Pros
- Material Quality
- Leg Openings That Do Not Squeeze The Thighs
- Protective Paneling
- Offer Women’s and Men’s Fits
- BioCeramic Fabric
- A “Supportive Feeling” When Worn
- Squat Proof
Cons
- Not Approved For National and International Levels of Powerlifting
- Premium Price (worth every penny in my opinion)
Virus Singlet Review: Key Features & Benefits
The Virus singlet’s key features are:
- Gender-Specific Sizing
- Good Coverage
- Reinforced Paneling
- Non-Elastic Hem In The Leg Openings
- Material That Moves With You
Gender-Specific Sizing
The virus singlets are available in men’s fit and women’s fit which makes the product more appealing, especially to women who usually have to settle for a men’s singlet in smaller sizes.
I go over a lot of details about sizing below for men and women, but if you want a specific guide, then check out my article on How Tight Should A Powerlifting Singlet Be.
Women’s Sizing
The sizing for the Virus women’s singlets does run smaller than other brands, but the sizing chart does seem to be accurate. I normally wear a medium or large in most singlets, but I wear an extra-large in the virus singlet and it fits perfectly.
For reference, I weigh 74kg and my waist, hip, and thigh measurements are 28, 40, 24.5 inches respectively.
While the Virus sizing guide does recommend the correct size singlet for me and does appear to be accurate, the range of their sizes is limited.
The sizing guide shows that the women’s singlets are only made to fit lifters that weigh between 48-75kg which excludes multiple powerlifting weight classes (43kg,76kg, 84kg, 84+kg) and weightlifting weight classes (76kg, 81kg, 87kg, 87+kg).
Check out the women's singlets on the Virus store.
The Virus Singlet is my top pick for Women in Powerlifting, to learn more about powerlifting equipment for women check out the 9 Must-Have Items For Women’s Powerlifting Equipment.
Men’s Sizing
While I cannot personally speak to the fit of the men’s virus singlets, the people who have left reviews for the men’s singles have all agreed that the singlet is relatively true to size or slightly smaller than the sizing guide suggests. If we are on the higher end of the size range, it may be worth sizing up.
The men’s singlet sizing guide appears to fit lifters that are between 56-114kg which would encompass most of the men’s powerlifting weight classes (except 53kg, 120kg, and 120+kg lifters) and nearly all men’s weightlifting categories (except 55kg lifters and those in the higher end of the 109+kg category).
Check out the Men's Singlets on the Virus store.
It is important to mention that Virus does offer free returns within 30 days of purchase and offers complete refunds or store credit, which I would find helpful if I were to purchase a singlet that was not the correct size.
Good Coverage
The virus singlets offer good coverage for both men and women with appropriate inseam lengths (8.5” for men, and 4.5-5” for women”), necklines that are not too revealing, and material that is completely squat-proof.
The length of the inseam is one of my favorite aspects of the virus singlet because it helps to prevent the singlet from riding up the legs between lifts. Many other singlets have a tendency to ride up the leg, which I find very annoying because I don’t want to be pulling down my singlet after every attempt.
The chest coverage is an important aspect for male and female athletes, but specifically female athletes. The virus singlet does a good job of offering enough chest coverage (even women with larger chests) so that I feel secure in high-velocity movements like the olympic lifts, and in movements with a more forward torso position like the low-bar squat and conventional deadlift.
While many other singlets also provide coverage, the Virus singlet achieves this while also being flattering. I love that with the Virus singlet I don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality.
Reinforced Paneling
The Virus singlets are made with reinforced paneling in the quads and the shoulders to avoid wear and tear, especially for the weightlifting movements which contact these areas frequently.
The paneling is an important feature for me as a weightlifter and a powerlifter because it makes the singlet more resistant to tearing, and it also protects my thighs from the knurling of the barbell in the snatch, clean, and deadlift.
In addition, the durability this paneling creates is attractive because if I’m investing in a singlet, I want that singlet to be able to withstand many uses and hold up in any type of barbell competition I intend to wear it for.
Non-Elastic Hem In The Leg Openings
Having leg openings that fit the thighs appropriately rather than constricting them and cutting off circulation is a rare but a welcome feature.
The virus singlets are built for both male and female athletes, which is shown in the design of their singlets by including a non-elastic hem in the leg openings which prevents squeezing of the thighs, particularly for athletes that store more body fat in their legs.
The non-elastic hem is why I am always choosing the Virus singlet over any other singlet in my closet; I am so tired of singlets that squeeze the thighs and feel as if they are cutting off my circulation.
The leg openings of the virus singlet are designed to lay flat against the skin rather than digging in, which I not only find more functional by allowing me to get into the bottom of a squat without feeling restricted, but I also find it much more flattering by preventing the bulging thigh look that many female athletes suffer through because of poorly designed singlets.
Material That Moves With You
While the level of support that the virus singlets provide is less than a traditional powerlifting singlet (like the Titan Triumph Singlet), I find that Virus singlet does a good job of making me feel secure without feeling suffocated.
In my experience, the small difference in the level of support between a traditional powerlifting singlet and the Virus singlet has not influenced my ability to lift more weight in powerlifting.
I am a big fan of the singlet’s fabric as it is flexible enough to move with me instead of making me feel restricted, which is ideal for both powerlifting and weightlifting as they are dynamic sports.
The fabric also gives a luxurious silky feel against the skin (maybe it’s the BioCrematic magic at play) that I could stay in all day, which is great because barbell competitions are not short.
Competitions are long events and I need a singlet that I can wear all day without it becoming uncomfortable, and after wearing the Virus singlet for a number of competitions I can say it passes the test.
It also passes the squat test, which means that the material does not appear sheer or see-through when stretched. This is a must for me because the last thing I want in the bottom of a squat, snatch or clean is for spectators to be able to see my underwear through my singlet.
Check out the Virus website for pricing and more details on the Virus singlet.
What Do Athletes Have To Say About The Virus Singlet?
My Review OF The Virus Singlets As A Competitive Powerlifter/Weightlifter
That’s me in the video above.
“The fit of the singlet is one of the best in the business because it offers more coverage, feels like a second skin, and is secure without too much compression in the leg openings. The singlet is also very flattering with the tapered waist, and the optional v-neck detailing in the women’s fit.”
It is my favorite singlet for weightlifting and for local powerlifting competitions; however, I cannot wear it for higher level powerlifting events because it is not currently approved for use in national or international competitions.
Amanda Parker
Taylor Martin – Competitive Weightlifter
“I love the longer legs and the fact that the leg openings are made to accommodate larger legs without feeling constricted. The material quality is fantastic and not sheer whatsoever, but the downfall to the silky material is that it does have a tendency to slide down in the front and therefore the singlet must be adjusted after each attempt to to pull it back up on the chest, but I do find it has enough coverage for those with larger chests.”
Taylor Martin
Other Reviews
The reviewer consensus seems to be that the sizing guide is fairly accurate, the product is made of excellent quality, and the singlet has a functional design that makes it more durable.
Related Article: Why Do Powerlifters Wear Singlets? (5 Reasons Explained)
Best Alternative Products For The Virus Singlet On The Market
Titan Triumph Singlet
A great alternative for the Virus singlet for those interested in competing in powerlifting is the Titan Triumph Singlet.
This singlet is ideal for those who are competing at higher levels of competition because it is approved in the International Powerlifting Federation, while the Virus singlet is not.
It is also completely squat-proof and made of high-quality material; however, a downside to the Titan singlet compared to the Virus singlet is that it does not come in a women’s fit.
Adidas Singlet
Check out my full review of the Adidas Weightlifting Singlet.
For those who are interested in a weightlifting singlet but are looking to spend a bit less, the Adidas Weightlifting Singlet is a great alternative to the Virus singlet.
The adidas singlet is a great budget-friendly option for those who are not looking for all the bells and whistles the Virus singlet provides with their reinforced paneling of the quads and shoulders, and eye-catching designs.
The Adidas singlet will get the job done and be a reliable singlet for weightlifters at a better price, but it is not approved for powerlifting competitions and will likely not last as long as the Virus singlet.
Nike Singlet
Check out my full review of the Nike Weightlifting Singlet.
If we are looking for a weightlifting singlet similar to the Virus singlet but with more sizing options, the Nike Weightlifting Singlets are a great option.
The Nike singlets provide a wider sizing range (45kg-140+kg for men, and 30kg-120kg for women) and therefore may be a better alternative for lifters who are too light or too heavy for the Virus singlets.
The Nike singlets are similar to the Virus singlets with their reinforced paneling and a men’s fit and women’s fit, but have less colors and designs to choose from. The Nike singlet is also not approved for powerlifting.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Singlet
Interested in singlets that are made specifically for powerlifting? Check out what I consider the 5 Best Singlets For Powerlifting.
A singlet is a necessity for those competing in powerlifting and/or weightlifting, which is why it is important to find a singlet that fits properly, feels comfortable, and moves with us instead of against us.
Before buying a singlet we should consider:
- Intended Use
- Sizing
- Women’s Vs Men’s Fit
- Material & Level Of Support
- Durability
Intended Use
Before purchasing a singlet, we should verify that the singlet we are interested in suits our needs for the sport we intend to wear it for – for powerlifting, I need to know if it is approved in all levels of competition.
Sizing
We need to know how to choose the correct size of singlet that we need, which is why I read the sizing guide the company provides as well as customer reviews, to ensure I am getting a singlet that is going to fit.
Women’s Fit VS Men’s Fit
It is important to evaluate whether the company has both a men and women’s fit, or simply a unisex design; especially if we are a women who wants a singlet that is designed specifically for women.
Material & Level Of Support
It is important to assess the level of support we want the singlet to provide – if I want more support I will want a thicker material that is more rigid, if I want a more flexible material I will want a more silky/stretchy material.
Durability
It is important to know how durable the singlet is before purchasing – to assess a singlet’s level of durability I look for reinforced paneling in areas with more frequent bar contact, heavy-duty stitching, and high quality material.
Final Thoughts
The virus singlet is one of leading singlets in weightlifting for a reason, and is continuing to gain popularity in the world of powerlifting because of its unique designs and comfort, particularly for women. While it does come at a higher price point, the singlet is durable enough to last us a while, which makes it worth the investment.
About The Author
Amanda Parker has a passion for competing and coaching in both powerlifting and weightlifting. She uses her knowledge from her Kinesiology Degree, CSCS, and Precision Nutrition certification to coach athletes and lifestyle clients for performance in training and nutrition. Connect with her on Instagram.
