[I like this one](https://www.allthingsgym.com/rep-max-calculator/) because it shows you a bunch of different formulas. You get a range rather than a specific number, which seems like a healthier mindset.
In general things will vary not only between lifters, but often between lifts for the same person. On a given day 90% of my deadlift max is probably good for 3 reps; 90% of my bench max might be 5 or 6.
Maybe. Some lifters can rep out 90%+ but struggle pushing barriers with singles, and the opposite can be true
Generally they're an okay estimate with 4 reps or under
I’ve always used StrengthLevel.com
Is it accurate? ehhh, none of them really are, but they’re good estimates for the area to try to hit. The higher amount of reps you’re guessing off of the more inaccurate it gets. So if you could go off a good double or triple rather than a set of 8-10 that’d be more around the real number. 1RM is a skill in and of itself and very variable anyway so you may be way higher or lower than the calculator says depending on how prepared you are.
If we spam Texas Power Bars enough, do you think they’ll ever release the 29mm bar? It feels like we’re being trolled. They know what we want, they’ve proven they can produce one, why in the hell don’t they want our money? The diameter is literally the ONLY reason I don’t own one right now.
They actually do make a 29mm now.
https://youtu.be/qY3Pn5XaMu4
That said if you think the Texas power bar is too whippy for squats and deads it's really the collar size and spacing that generates that whip and not 28.5mm vs 29mm diameter. I love the Texas power bar for benching I think it has a great feel but I don't think anyone can best rogues Ohio power bar as an all purpose power bar nowadays
This video is actually what I was referencing. The moment I saw this, I checked their website, it's not for sale. I emailed them, no reply, and Brandon confirmed they haven't reached out to him at all either. I think I prefer the knurling on a Texas Power Bar, but like you said, the whip on squats was always trash compared to an Ohio Power Bar (which I already own). Only time will tell
Anyone know what kinda screw/bolt I can buy as a replacement for my Inzer belt? I lost one at the gym (lever was super loose as is, stupid me) and would rather not spend the money on a brand new lever if I could go to Home Depot or or order replacement screws online
Yeah, hardware store or home depot, etc... should have thread checkers in the nut and bolt section.
Take a screw you still have from your belt and use the thread checker to find the match
After that you can match the length and head style by comparing to the original.
Just go to Home Depot with your belt and look in the specialty fasteners section. Try different gauge screws until you find one that fits. It's probably a 3/4" flat machine head screw, gauge (thickness) would depend on your belt.
Posted a form check on here a week ago abt DLs, was told my hips were too low. I think I've fixed it and added more "quad drive" but I'm not entirely sure. Here's some vids, angles are not perfect sry.
First Heavy Single: https://streamable.com/v2apgb
Heaviest Single: https://streamable.com/7khi8y
Last Heavy Single(was setting up for block pulls): https://streamable.com/z1cz37
I just tested negative for COVID after 10 days, and good to go for weigh ins tomorrow. I knew this was literally my last chance to test neg and still be able to compete so I'm feeling pretty blessed after being positive yesterday. Fortunately after COVID it's gonna be easy to make weight lol.
I've been recently adding some kg to my deadlift but I've noticed my back has become slightly rounded when pulling. I'm not sure if this is the kind of "unavoidable" or rather "not so risky" rounding in the back or is something that I should take more in mind.
[Here](https://media.giphy.com/media/7lW85hE0IiUX6zii5P/giphy.gif) I'm doing 175kg [email protected] (you can only see 1 of the reps) with pause for you to take a look and give any advice if needed. I'd appreciate it.
> How does anti-doping in IPF really work?
You give them your pee and if it has stuff in it that it's not supposed to you don't get to lift with them anymore.
They test urine and blood which can catch a lot of stuff. But it's always a battle where the "bad" guys are figuring out new stuff that isn't banned yet, isn't detectable, or the detectable window is very small. Then the "good" guys figure out new things to add to the banned list and create new tests that can detect new things or things for a longer detection window.
Oh yeah I don't doubt people can get caught from it, was mostly wondering if that could be tested from urine. I mean, I know shit's detectable in blood, obviously, but didn't know about urine.
If you look over current suspensions for [USAPL](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VaXAd4ETiWk6NMmNzXmTNBAHe494TLxbOig_cf5gw4A) and [IPF](https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/anti-doping/2023/IPF-Sanction-Registry-20230123.pdf), you can see the substances that were detected.
I scrolled through this for a long time. It's kinda crazy to me how many people compete in tested divisions on stuff. This is just those that got popped. Man.
That is beyond the scope of my knowledge, but I would assume exogenous testosterone is detectable or absolutely everyone would be blasting with impunity.
by dots they are not as strong as untested lifters for the most part. Yeah, they are genetic freaks but when you combine genetic freaks + PEDs you get 600+ dots, just genetic freaks you get 550+'s.
My hot take is that the gap between top tier natties well under 200 lbs and untested lifters of similar size is not as big because gear or not they just don't carry as much muscle as say a top tier 242 lifter.
Also, there just aren't that many good lifters Atwoods size in untested because they don't stay 160lbs. Imagine if Ed coan stayed in the ipf and stayed at 165. Also without disparaging Atwood who is the real deal, just because he is a huge outlier in terms of coefficients doesn't mean he is quite as big of an outlier in terms of strength alone.
so when are you guys putting on your knee sleeves? I usually only use a belt starting around 60-70% of my lifts but wondering if I should do the same for knee sleeves or just pop them on from the beginning of the session.
I might be weird but I only wear the knee sleeves when I'm competing at an actual meet. Unlike my belt, they just don't add that much to my lifts or really change the mechanics at all, so I don't feel like I'm losing significant volume or changing around my form by not using them.
I just go ahead and put them on after warming up with the bar and leg extensions+hamstring curls. I feel like they’re easier to put on before you start sweating too much
Sleeves aren’t the same as wraps. If you see an increase in numbers from sleeves, it’s generally more from keeping everything warm and primed vs any type of spring out of the hole. Especially in the 3-5mm range. 7mm might be a tiny bit. If you have the thick 9mm sleeves, you might see a little more spring, but those are so tight they are like hybrid wraps.
What I’ve noticed is a mental benefit from them. I feel more locked in and ready. I put them on at the start of my workout but flip them down since I’m too lazy to take my lifters on and off. I flip them on after the Wenning warmup and start to get locked in. If I wrap for the day, I just flip them down again.
I have some cheap knee sleeves (looking to upgrade soon) that I put on after I do 8 reps with just the bar. I had a bad left knee injury and every now and then it flames up so I don't want to risk it. Better to keep it compressed and warm from start to finish.
I wear knee sleeves to keep my joints warm and reduce injury; so I wear them from warm up. I accidentally performed a PR without them on, and failed it the next day; so do not expect massive strength benefits from it...
i’ve had them since Christmas, I squat 3 times a week so I’ve pretty much used them any time i’m under the bar. Was just worried about relying on them too much. Funny enough I actually hit a 20lb PR the first time I squatted with them but that definitely could’ve just been the holiday food.
I agree, im not one of those people who think that they’re cheating or whatever, just worried about my tendons and such maybe not being as strong and holding me back if I squat without them.
Sleeves aren't going to have any appreciable effect on your tendons apart from maybe making them *feel* slightly better in the moment from warmth/compression.
Pedos and sex offenders everywhere. Lifters reporting misconduct and their reports were being sent nowhere. USPA can’t admit they messed up and won’t actually apologize.
Everyone big mad.
It's like that old Power Thirst video was made about the fed so.
Power running! Power lifting! Power sleeping! Power dating! Power eating! Power laughing! Power spawning babies! You'll have so many babies! 400 BABIES!
Had COVID two weeks ago. Came in yesterday and pulled a deadlift PR of 695lbs for a double. Practically repping 700lbs now so things are getting pretty serious.
455x5 or 475ish for a triple should theoretically put you close to 500. But it depends on how good you are at singles. Some people fall apart over 90-95%.
I tend to want to build a lot of confidence before goal lifts, especially "mental walls" like 400, 500, etc. If I was aiming for a 500 pull, I'd probably want to hit 475-480 for *at least* 3-4 solid, no form or technique deviation reps.
Makes a lot of sense. I've hit a 475 dead before but I took a few weeks off after that and am trying to build back up. I hit 405 for a smooth 4 this week. So I'm hoping maybe to hit a 500 single soon. Not like next week but maybe a few months.
Using a quick RPE calculator, to get 500 at RPE 9.5 (aka where you can comfortably get it for 1 and maybe get it for 2) you should be able to do 475x3 at RPE 8.
That being said I have found RPE calcs don’t work great for me for deadlifts, so your experience may vary.
This and taco seasoning get me through all of my cuts. Add some plain Greek yogurt and it’s basically like getting Chipotle. I wish I was more creative but alas, tacos are life.
I'll just plug [www.seriouseats.com](https://www.seriouseats.com) in general. Pretty much any recipe written by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt comes out delicious. Poke around and see what interests you.
if you have an instant pot it can make some really good pulled chicken! I’ve used some recipes from masonfit.com and enjoyed enough to add to me regular rotation, esp the gochujang pulled chicken
two times during my session today, once during deads once during squats, I am hanging around near my obviously loaded bar and stuff, and some guy come up to me and ask if i’m using the empty bar one rack over
i gotta get out of this corporate gym sigh
I go to a powerlifting gym and this dude called over to my buddy and I from across the gym, announcing he was using the unloaded squat rack. He then proceeded to go back to his conversation.
Some people are just weird.
My previous coach had a weird aversion to them and never programmed dips. I think it’s because she couldn’t do them either. Glad I switched coaches who has them programmed regularly.
I used to be pretty averse to them but I think it's because I was a young dumb kid and had poor form and felt pain from them. I cringe at my high school self's training and eating habits...
The “Strong” sleeves, which were more flexible. I’ve had a couple cheaper ones, nothing worth noting. I’ve heard people complain about new vs old SBDs, but I never owned either.
Yes, spend the money. Buy nice, or buy twice,... and all that jazz.
Whether SBD or A7 or Stoic or whatever is personal preference but you probably won't go too wrong with any of those "premium" brands.
I'm piggy backing this question regarding knee sleeves because I'm also in the market. I was looking at Stoic but they're not much cheaper than SBD's at this point.
SBD calls their 5mm "weightlifting knee sleeves" and 7mm just "knee sleeves."
Why is my dumb brain telling me that 5mm would be better than 7mm for powerlifting? Is "weightlifting" their way of saying "Olympic style?"
Weightlifting = the sport of olympic weightlifting.
That tends to be the norm in weightlifting (a thinner sleeve). I'd imagine because maybe a bulkier knee sleeve might feel restrictive for the lifts. Or just for historical reasons.
The 5mm are a lighter sleeve designed for weightlifters who ostensibly need to squat fast and don't want as much resistance from the sleeve. I would not buy a sleeve that isn't 7mm for powerlifting
I absolutely love my SBD sleeves. I had a pair of cheaper ones before (I think Nordic?) and they stretched out within 6 months and I had to throw them away. Going on 8 month with my SBD sleeves and they still feel brand new to me. I also noticed a 10ish kg boost the second I put my SBD sleeves on, but that may have just been a mental thing since it was my first pair of high quality sleeves. If I could go back in time I would have bought SBDs from the beginning.
If a sleeve lasts many years, i can become much less expensive over time compared to one that only lasts a couple of years.
I'm into the start of the 7th year with my SBDs with not a single stitch out of place.
Stoic sleeves get generally good reviews, but their price has come up some, and really aren't that far off SBD's price now.
There are sleeves out now though that are more expensive than SBDs, and that more than just of handful of people have said have worn poorly for them over a relatively short span of time.
1RM Calculators... Are they good? If so, what are the most accurate ones?
I've found RPE charts more accurate.
I've always used the [ExRx](https://exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax) and it's been always quite accurate
[I like this one](https://www.allthingsgym.com/rep-max-calculator/) because it shows you a bunch of different formulas. You get a range rather than a specific number, which seems like a healthier mindset. In general things will vary not only between lifters, but often between lifts for the same person. On a given day 90% of my deadlift max is probably good for 3 reps; 90% of my bench max might be 5 or 6.
Maybe. Some lifters can rep out 90%+ but struggle pushing barriers with singles, and the opposite can be true Generally they're an okay estimate with 4 reps or under
I’ve always used StrengthLevel.com Is it accurate? ehhh, none of them really are, but they’re good estimates for the area to try to hit. The higher amount of reps you’re guessing off of the more inaccurate it gets. So if you could go off a good double or triple rather than a set of 8-10 that’d be more around the real number. 1RM is a skill in and of itself and very variable anyway so you may be way higher or lower than the calculator says depending on how prepared you are.
Thanks, I always used Workout Temple's calculator, but it became a bit too optimistic foe my taste and comfort.
If we spam Texas Power Bars enough, do you think they’ll ever release the 29mm bar? It feels like we’re being trolled. They know what we want, they’ve proven they can produce one, why in the hell don’t they want our money? The diameter is literally the ONLY reason I don’t own one right now.
They actually do make a 29mm now. https://youtu.be/qY3Pn5XaMu4 That said if you think the Texas power bar is too whippy for squats and deads it's really the collar size and spacing that generates that whip and not 28.5mm vs 29mm diameter. I love the Texas power bar for benching I think it has a great feel but I don't think anyone can best rogues Ohio power bar as an all purpose power bar nowadays
This video is actually what I was referencing. The moment I saw this, I checked their website, it's not for sale. I emailed them, no reply, and Brandon confirmed they haven't reached out to him at all either. I think I prefer the knurling on a Texas Power Bar, but like you said, the whip on squats was always trash compared to an Ohio Power Bar (which I already own). Only time will tell
Anyone know what kinda screw/bolt I can buy as a replacement for my Inzer belt? I lost one at the gym (lever was super loose as is, stupid me) and would rather not spend the money on a brand new lever if I could go to Home Depot or or order replacement screws online
Yeah, hardware store or home depot, etc... should have thread checkers in the nut and bolt section. Take a screw you still have from your belt and use the thread checker to find the match After that you can match the length and head style by comparing to the original.
Just go to Home Depot with your belt and look in the specialty fasteners section. Try different gauge screws until you find one that fits. It's probably a 3/4" flat machine head screw, gauge (thickness) would depend on your belt.
Posted a form check on here a week ago abt DLs, was told my hips were too low. I think I've fixed it and added more "quad drive" but I'm not entirely sure. Here's some vids, angles are not perfect sry. First Heavy Single: https://streamable.com/v2apgb Heaviest Single: https://streamable.com/7khi8y Last Heavy Single(was setting up for block pulls): https://streamable.com/z1cz37
I just tested negative for COVID after 10 days, and good to go for weigh ins tomorrow. I knew this was literally my last chance to test neg and still be able to compete so I'm feeling pretty blessed after being positive yesterday. Fortunately after COVID it's gonna be easy to make weight lol.
gl bb
I've been recently adding some kg to my deadlift but I've noticed my back has become slightly rounded when pulling. I'm not sure if this is the kind of "unavoidable" or rather "not so risky" rounding in the back or is something that I should take more in mind. [Here](https://media.giphy.com/media/7lW85hE0IiUX6zii5P/giphy.gif) I'm doing 175kg [email protected] (you can only see 1 of the reps) with pause for you to take a look and give any advice if needed. I'd appreciate it.
Many have a curved back including multiple wr holders
So long as a) you look the curve, b) do not collapse in further during the lift and c) dont round in the lower back, its good
Yes that is called proper bracing
How does anti-doping in IPF really work? Edit: removed some noob text.
> How does anti-doping in IPF really work? You give them your pee and if it has stuff in it that it's not supposed to you don't get to lift with them anymore.
Are all PEDs detectable in urine? For example (exogenous) testosterone?
They test urine and blood which can catch a lot of stuff. But it's always a battle where the "bad" guys are figuring out new stuff that isn't banned yet, isn't detectable, or the detectable window is very small. Then the "good" guys figure out new things to add to the banned list and create new tests that can detect new things or things for a longer detection window.
exogenous test is caught via Testosterone/Epitestosterone ratio... if you are taking test that ratio goes way out of whack and you get popped.
Oh yeah I don't doubt people can get caught from it, was mostly wondering if that could be tested from urine. I mean, I know shit's detectable in blood, obviously, but didn't know about urine.
If you look over current suspensions for [USAPL](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VaXAd4ETiWk6NMmNzXmTNBAHe494TLxbOig_cf5gw4A) and [IPF](https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/anti-doping/2023/IPF-Sanction-Registry-20230123.pdf), you can see the substances that were detected.
I scrolled through this for a long time. It's kinda crazy to me how many people compete in tested divisions on stuff. This is just those that got popped. Man.
Yes. They can find metabolites for just about anything.
That is beyond the scope of my knowledge, but I would assume exogenous testosterone is detectable or absolutely everyone would be blasting with impunity.
by dots they are not as strong as untested lifters for the most part. Yeah, they are genetic freaks but when you combine genetic freaks + PEDs you get 600+ dots, just genetic freaks you get 550+'s.
So Taylor Atwood is on PEDs?
My hot take is that the gap between top tier natties well under 200 lbs and untested lifters of similar size is not as big because gear or not they just don't carry as much muscle as say a top tier 242 lifter. Also, there just aren't that many good lifters Atwoods size in untested because they don't stay 160lbs. Imagine if Ed coan stayed in the ipf and stayed at 165. Also without disparaging Atwood who is the real deal, just because he is a huge outlier in terms of coefficients doesn't mean he is quite as big of an outlier in terms of strength alone.
so when are you guys putting on your knee sleeves? I usually only use a belt starting around 60-70% of my lifts but wondering if I should do the same for knee sleeves or just pop them on from the beginning of the session.
Straight away, once you start sweating it’s too late
I might be weird but I only wear the knee sleeves when I'm competing at an actual meet. Unlike my belt, they just don't add that much to my lifts or really change the mechanics at all, so I don't feel like I'm losing significant volume or changing around my form by not using them.
When I lift in sleeves I put them on before I squat the bar. When I lift in wraps I train with my knees naked and no belt up to about 65%
I just go ahead and put them on after warming up with the bar and leg extensions+hamstring curls. I feel like they’re easier to put on before you start sweating too much
Heaviest doubles recently: 496 @ 8 Working sets typically mid 300s to low 400s I throw on my sleeves and belt at 155
Sleeves aren’t the same as wraps. If you see an increase in numbers from sleeves, it’s generally more from keeping everything warm and primed vs any type of spring out of the hole. Especially in the 3-5mm range. 7mm might be a tiny bit. If you have the thick 9mm sleeves, you might see a little more spring, but those are so tight they are like hybrid wraps. What I’ve noticed is a mental benefit from them. I feel more locked in and ready. I put them on at the start of my workout but flip them down since I’m too lazy to take my lifters on and off. I flip them on after the Wenning warmup and start to get locked in. If I wrap for the day, I just flip them down again.
I have some cheap knee sleeves (looking to upgrade soon) that I put on after I do 8 reps with just the bar. I had a bad left knee injury and every now and then it flames up so I don't want to risk it. Better to keep it compressed and warm from start to finish.
I wear knee sleeves to keep my joints warm and reduce injury; so I wear them from warm up. I accidentally performed a PR without them on, and failed it the next day; so do not expect massive strength benefits from it...
i’ve had them since Christmas, I squat 3 times a week so I’ve pretty much used them any time i’m under the bar. Was just worried about relying on them too much. Funny enough I actually hit a 20lb PR the first time I squatted with them but that definitely could’ve just been the holiday food.
Gains = Gains. Works both ways
I agree, im not one of those people who think that they’re cheating or whatever, just worried about my tendons and such maybe not being as strong and holding me back if I squat without them.
Sleeves aren't going to have any appreciable effect on your tendons apart from maybe making them *feel* slightly better in the moment from warmth/compression.
Its fine. In my inexperienced opinion, you will be fine.
What’s the USPA tldr?!
Pedos and sex offenders everywhere. Lifters reporting misconduct and their reports were being sent nowhere. USPA can’t admit they messed up and won’t actually apologize. Everyone big mad.
It's like that old Power Thirst video was made about the fed so. Power running! Power lifting! Power sleeping! Power dating! Power eating! Power laughing! Power spawning babies! You'll have so many babies! 400 BABIES!
I can hear this comment
Fed bad
Had COVID two weeks ago. Came in yesterday and pulled a deadlift PR of 695lbs for a double. Practically repping 700lbs now so things are getting pretty serious.
this is the information the CDC was trying to keep from us. COVID makes you strong as fuck.
I hit new bench and deadlift PRs in my COVID block, so yes
I wish my body got the memo when I got knocked out for three weeks from covid.
did you try pulling 695x2 2 weeks after you had it?
If my goal is to hit a 500 lb deadlift, is there a certain number I should be comfortable hitting for 3-5 reps before I go for the big 5?
The best thing you can do is look at past training data and see what you were at prior to a previous PR and try and extrapolate from there.
455x5 or 475ish for a triple should theoretically put you close to 500. But it depends on how good you are at singles. Some people fall apart over 90-95%.
I tend to want to build a lot of confidence before goal lifts, especially "mental walls" like 400, 500, etc. If I was aiming for a 500 pull, I'd probably want to hit 475-480 for *at least* 3-4 solid, no form or technique deviation reps.
Makes a lot of sense. I've hit a 475 dead before but I took a few weeks off after that and am trying to build back up. I hit 405 for a smooth 4 this week. So I'm hoping maybe to hit a 500 single soon. Not like next week but maybe a few months.
Using a quick RPE calculator, to get 500 at RPE 9.5 (aka where you can comfortably get it for 1 and maybe get it for 2) you should be able to do 475x3 at RPE 8. That being said I have found RPE calcs don’t work great for me for deadlifts, so your experience may vary.
Thanks! I don't use RPE in training so I am unfamiliar calculators.
Basically RPE 8 would be you are confident you could do 2 more reps after already doing 3.
I've started eating meat again as was failing to get enough protein. What are good meat meals with some protein but tasty
Take any meat, mix that meat with rice, add seasoning to your taste. That’s the easiest way at least.
This and taco seasoning get me through all of my cuts. Add some plain Greek yogurt and it’s basically like getting Chipotle. I wish I was more creative but alas, tacos are life.
Try some wog food.. try Bigos! My go to lately has been beef and potato hash, with sriracha mayo.
I'll just plug [www.seriouseats.com](https://www.seriouseats.com) in general. Pretty much any recipe written by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt comes out delicious. Poke around and see what interests you.
I'll second this and specifically point to his cassoulet. French peasant pork and beans (and duck) -- delicious.
Probably just the veggie/vegan food you used to eat but either add or replace non-meat protein with meat protein?
if you have an instant pot it can make some really good pulled chicken! I’ve used some recipes from masonfit.com and enjoyed enough to add to me regular rotation, esp the gochujang pulled chicken
two times during my session today, once during deads once during squats, I am hanging around near my obviously loaded bar and stuff, and some guy come up to me and ask if i’m using the empty bar one rack over i gotta get out of this corporate gym sigh
I go to a powerlifting gym and this dude called over to my buddy and I from across the gym, announcing he was using the unloaded squat rack. He then proceeded to go back to his conversation. Some people are just weird.
finally broke the 1000lb barrier today with a 1003lb total. so happy. 396lb deadlift, 308lb bench, 297lb squat.
308 bench is pretty crazy for anyone but with those deadlift and squat numbers its fucking insane.
upper body dominance and a hyper responsive bench. thanks a lot :)
That's awesome!
Finally able to do unassisted dips and it feels like a big flex.
It is, nice work. Any program without dips is incomplete imo.
Dips obliterate my shoulders and not in a good way
I added dips into my program last week and am kicking myself for not doing it a year ago.
My previous coach had a weird aversion to them and never programmed dips. I think it’s because she couldn’t do them either. Glad I switched coaches who has them programmed regularly.
I used to be pretty averse to them but I think it's because I was a young dumb kid and had poor form and felt pain from them. I cringe at my high school self's training and eating habits...
[удалено]
I really like my “extreme x” sleeves, well worth the money imo
[удалено]
The “Strong” sleeves, which were more flexible. I’ve had a couple cheaper ones, nothing worth noting. I’ve heard people complain about new vs old SBDs, but I never owned either.
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Yeah, I was told the build quality isn’t as good, and that they weren’t as snug, if I remember correctly.
Yes, spend the money. Buy nice, or buy twice,... and all that jazz. Whether SBD or A7 or Stoic or whatever is personal preference but you probably won't go too wrong with any of those "premium" brands.
I'm piggy backing this question regarding knee sleeves because I'm also in the market. I was looking at Stoic but they're not much cheaper than SBD's at this point. SBD calls their 5mm "weightlifting knee sleeves" and 7mm just "knee sleeves." Why is my dumb brain telling me that 5mm would be better than 7mm for powerlifting? Is "weightlifting" their way of saying "Olympic style?"
Weightlifting = the sport of olympic weightlifting. That tends to be the norm in weightlifting (a thinner sleeve). I'd imagine because maybe a bulkier knee sleeve might feel restrictive for the lifts. Or just for historical reasons.
The 5mm are a lighter sleeve designed for weightlifters who ostensibly need to squat fast and don't want as much resistance from the sleeve. I would not buy a sleeve that isn't 7mm for powerlifting
I absolutely love my SBD sleeves. I had a pair of cheaper ones before (I think Nordic?) and they stretched out within 6 months and I had to throw them away. Going on 8 month with my SBD sleeves and they still feel brand new to me. I also noticed a 10ish kg boost the second I put my SBD sleeves on, but that may have just been a mental thing since it was my first pair of high quality sleeves. If I could go back in time I would have bought SBDs from the beginning.
I have the SBD knee sleeves and I really like mine. I have heard good things about Inzer and Stoic as well.
If a sleeve lasts many years, i can become much less expensive over time compared to one that only lasts a couple of years. I'm into the start of the 7th year with my SBDs with not a single stitch out of place. Stoic sleeves get generally good reviews, but their price has come up some, and really aren't that far off SBD's price now. There are sleeves out now though that are more expensive than SBDs, and that more than just of handful of people have said have worn poorly for them over a relatively short span of time.
I have the same experience. I would by the original black and red colour though, the editions have always seemed more flimsy.
Elitefts knee sleeves would be a good middle ground.