anyone who has never tried to use a shirt like I use has no idea how much work and practice it takes to bench in a high performance shirt. You can not throw on a shirt and bench 900 pounds. If it was that simple, everyone could do it!
I see many raw advocates on the internet, and they all seem to hold the view that equipped lifters don’t try to get stronger, they just train to use equipment better. This is completely untrue. I am considerably stronger now than I have ever been. For example, I am dealing with numerous injuries, first among which is an almost destroyed right rotator cuff. Doctors have recommended complete shoulder replacement. I can still do close grip reps with over 500 pounds raw. And I don’t train raw at all. My best raw bench 3 years ago was 550. If I can rep 500x3 close grip, I am most certainly much stronger than I was when I benched 550 raw.
Additionally, many raw advocates seem to show no respect at all for shirted lifters. If a person wants to lift raw, that is a choice. I thoroughly respect raw lifters, and I have trained many raw lifters. I simply wish the loudmouths on the internet would return some respect to those of us who use equipment.
As far as cheating, how is it cheating when every lifter has access to the same equipment and training methods?? Everyone has to follow the same rules in their federation. Its only cheating when you try to sneak in an extra layer or an illegal material. Powerlifting has evolved over the years to include equipment. You can lift with or without it, in whatever federation you please. So I really cannot fathom the idea that equipment is cheating.
Damn goede lockout's!!
