Lifting gear that's worth knowing about — labelled honestly.
I'm a regular lifter, not a gear reviewer. Some of the items below I own and use; others I've researched while shopping for my next purchase. Every entry is labelled "I use this", "on my list", or "popular pick" so you know exactly what kind of recommendation you're reading.
✓ I use this
I own this and have trained with it long enough to have a real opinion. The strongest recommendation I'll make.
★ On my list
I've researched this carefully — what I'd buy next when I upgrade. I don't own it yet, so the verdict is provisional.
○ Popular pick
Well-regarded by lifters and coaches I trust. I haven't tried it personally, but the consensus is strong.
✓ Things I actually use
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✓ I use this
Pioneer Cut Lifting Belt
The belt I reach for · worth the price tag
This is my main belt and it's awesome. I have a Harbinger belt too (further down) and the Pioneer is just on another level — the leather is stiffer, the fit is more precise, and you can spec it however you want. If you're going to keep lifting for years, it's worth the upgrade.
What I like
Stiffness and build quality you feel from the first session
These are my favorite. After trying the Harbinger cotton straps (below) for ages, switching to Versa Gripps was an upgrade I felt immediately — better grip, faster on/off, no fumbling between sets. Pricey for what they are, but I've stopped reaching for anything else.
What I like
Way faster to set up than traditional cotton straps
Wraps around the bar instead of looping through itself
Doubles as wrist support
What I don't love
Expensive vs. basic straps ($80 vs. $12)
Take a few sessions to get the wrap technique down
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: Versa Gripps Classic (cheaper version), basic cotton straps if budget is tight
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✓ I use this
Rogue P-3 / P-4 Pull-up Bar
Garage gym essential
A Rogue pull-up bar mounted in my home gym. It's a Rogue product so the build quality is exactly what you'd expect — overbuilt, no flex, no creaks. If you're setting up a home gym, this is one of those purchases you do once and never think about again.
What I like
Heavy-duty steel — zero flex even on kipping pull-ups
Works for wide grip, narrow, neutral
Mounting hardware is included and solid
What I don't love
Requires real wall studs or ceiling joists to mount safely
Not the cheapest option — but Rogue rarely is
Buy direct from RogueAlso worth a look: Cheaper doorway pull-up bars work for casual use, but won't last like this one
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✓ I use this
Harbinger Padded Leather Contoured Belt
My old belt · still in the bag, still works
My first 'real' belt before I upgraded to the Pioneer. The Harbinger is genuinely fine — solid leather, double-prong roller buckle, comfortable padding. It served me for years. It's still in my bag as a backup. Honest take: the Pioneer is worth the price jump, but if you're not ready to spend that, this Harbinger will not let you down.
What I like
Comfortable straight out of the box — minimal break-in
Double-prong steel buckle is reliable
Solid leather construction at an accessible price
What I don't love
Less stiff than premium powerlifting belts
Cushioning is nice but means slightly less rigid bracing
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: Pioneer (above) if you want to upgrade once and be done
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✓ I use this
Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps
Cheap, fine, but I've moved on
My first pair of straps. They work — at $12 you can't really complain. But after switching to the Versa Gripps Pro (above), I never reach for these anymore. If you're brand new and just want straps to try out, these are a perfectly reasonable starter pair. If you know you'll keep lifting heavy, skip these and get the Versa Gripps.
What I like
Genuinely cheap — under $15
Padded wrist section is more comfortable than bare cotton
Fine starting point if you've never used straps
What I don't love
Threading them through every set gets old fast
Cotton stretches and frays over time
I prefer Versa Gripps for almost every situation now
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: Versa Gripps Pro (above) — different category, better experience
★ On my list to try
Gear I've researched while shopping for my next upgrade. I don't own these yet, so treat the verdict as provisional — the recommendation is "this is what I plan to buy," not "I've tested this for you."
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★ On my list
Adidas Adipower 3 (squat shoe)
~$200 · the boring correct answer for squat shoes
A dedicated squat shoe is one of the more talked-about gear upgrades in the strength community, particularly for lifters with limited ankle mobility. The Adipower 3 has been the default recommendation for years. Planning to grab a pair when my current trainers wear out — for now, this is research-backed rather than first-hand.
What people like
22mm heel hits a stable middle — not too aggressive
Locking strap reportedly makes a real difference vs. cheaper shoes
Long lifespan in user reports (5+ years)
Common complaints
Pricey for a single-purpose shoe
Said to run a half-size small — try in person if you can
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: Nike Romaleos 4 (also highly regarded, ~$250), Reebok Legacy Lifter (heavier alternative)
○ Popular picks (haven't personally tried)
Items I keep seeing recommended by lifters and coaches I trust. I haven't used these myself — including them here as a starting point for your own research, not a personal endorsement.
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○ Popular pick
Stoic 7mm Knee Sleeves
~$45/pair · the value-tier favorite
Stoic sleeves come up constantly in 'what's the best knee sleeve under $50' threads. The pitch is straightforward: comparable build to SBD at roughly half the price, no IPF approval. I haven't owned a pair, so I'm relaying the consensus, not a personal verdict.
What people like
Strong reviews for warmth and tightness
Significant price gap vs. SBD ($45 vs. $99)
Generally said to hold up to chalk and sweat
Common complaints
Not IPF-approved — won't work for sanctioned meets
Sizing reportedly runs small; size up if between
Common complaint: stiff for the first few sessions
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: SBD (gold standard, 2× the price), Rehband (thinner, more comfort-focused)
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○ Popular pick
Gymreapers 18" Wrist Wraps
~$25 · cheap, frequently recommended
Wrist wraps are one of the cheaper gear additions in lifting, and Gymreapers' 18" medium-stiffness wraps are recommended often enough that they're a sensible default. I haven't tested them personally — flagging this as a popular pick rather than a verified one.
What people like
Inexpensive entry point
18" is the right length for most adult lifters
Reinforced thumb loops in user reports
Common complaints
Velcro is the usual failure point on wraps in this price range
Stiffness can be excessive for high-rep work
See on AmazonAlso worth a look: SBD (stiffer, ~2× the cost), Rogue Ohio (similar tier)
Things I'd be skeptical of buying
None of these are scams. They just tend to get oversold relative to their actual benefit, especially for lifters in their first few years.
"Proprietary blend" pre-workouts. Caffeine and creatine monohydrate are the only two supplements with consistent evidence behind them for most lifters. Everything else is usually marketing.
$300+ lifting straps. A $15 pair of cotton or nylon straps from any reputable brand does the same job — and if you want a real upgrade, the Versa Gripps Pro above are the better spend.
Bench shirts and slingshots for raw lifters. They mask weak points instead of training them — fine if you compete equipped, otherwise not the leverage you think.
Velocity-based training devices if you don't already track sets carefully. A $15 phone tripod and a free rep-tracking app gets you most of the value first.
How I label things on this page
I tell you what I've actually used. "I use this" means it's in my gym bag right now. "On my list" means I've researched it but haven't bought it yet. "Popular pick" means I'm relaying consensus from lifters I trust.
I update labels honestly. When I move from researching something to actually owning it, I move it up — and rewrite the copy so it reflects real experience, not internet research.
No paid placements. Brands sometimes offer free product in exchange for a review. The answer is always no.
Affiliate links are marked. Every CTA above goes to an affiliate URL. The recommendation isn't influenced by which retailer pays the highest commission — it's just where the product is easiest to buy.
If I'm wrong, tell me. Email me at hello@rpe.training. I'd rather change a label than mislead a reader.