Most Indian lifters buy too much gear too early, or the wrong gear entirely.
We have seen both ends: beginners ordering 13mm competition belts before they can squat their bodyweight, and experienced lifters competing in meets without deadlift socks and getting red-lighted on a technicality. Neither situation should happen to you.
This guide tells you exactly what powerlifting accessories you need, when you need them, and what to look for when buying in India.
First — What Stage Are You At?
Powerlifting accessories serve different purposes at different stages of training. Buying a full competition kit on day one is a waste of money. Competing without the right gear after a year of training is a waste of preparation. Here is a simple breakdown:
• Beginner (0–12 months): Belt and straps. That is it. Focus on technique before adding more support.
• Intermediate (1–2 years): Add knee sleeves and wrist wraps as your training loads increase.
• Competition-ready: Add a singlet, deadlift socks, and verify all gear meets your federation's rules.
1. Lifting Belts — The Most Important Purchase
A belt does not lift the weight for you. It creates intra-abdominal pressure that helps you brace your core more effectively under heavy loads. This matters most on squats and deadlifts.
When to start using one
• Squats: When you are consistently training above 1× your bodyweight.
• Deadlifts: When you are training above 1.5× your bodyweight.
Lever belt vs. prong belt
Lever belts lock to a fixed tightness every time — no variation between sets. Prong belts are adjustable but require more time to put on and take off. For powerlifting, levers are the standard choice
10mm vs. 13mm
10mm belts are more flexible and comfortable — better for beginners building their brace. 13mm belts are stiffer and provide more feedback under maximal loads — the competition standard. If you are within 6 months of competing, go straight to 13mm.
• Griffin Gears 10mm Lever Belt: ₹4,999–₹5,499 — recommended for beginners and intermediate lifters.
• Griffin Gears 13mm Lever Belt: Competition-spec, 4-inch width, IPF standard, single-piece leather. Starting at ₹4,940.
2. Lifting Straps — For Pulling Movements
Straps eliminate grip fatigue on deadlifts, rows, and shrugs. They allow you to train the target muscle without your grip becoming the limiting factor.
• Griffin Gears Lifting Straps: Heavy-duty cotton webbing, soft inner lining, compatible with barbells, dumbbells, and cable machines.
3. Wrist Wraps — For Pressing Movements
Wrist wraps stabilise the wrist joint under heavy pressing — bench press, overhead press, and some squat setups. Without support, repeated heavy pressing can lead to tendon strain, joint inflammation, and long-term wrist problems.
Wrist wraps are legal in all major powerlifting federations for both training and competition.
• Griffin Gears Wrist Wraps: ₹999 — available in navy and red. USPA equipment compliant.
4. Knee Sleeves — For Squats and General Knee Health
Knee sleeves provide compression and warmth to the knee joint. They improve blood flow, reduce pre-lift soreness, and give a small elastic rebound at the bottom of a squat. They are legal in both raw and equipped powerlifting divisions in most federations.
• Griffin Gears 7mm Knee Sleeves: Starting at ₹5,999. IPF-compliant neoprene construction. Sized by knee circumference.
Sizing tip: Measure around the centre of your kneecap with legs straight. If your calf circumference is more than 4cm larger than your knee, size up to avoid circulation restriction.
5. Knee Wraps — For Competition Squats
Knee wraps are elastic bandages wound tightly around the knee before a heavy squat. Unlike sleeves, they provide a significant elastic rebound and are treated as equipment by federations.
Check your federation's rules: IPF Raw allows knee sleeves only. Some other federations (SPF, GPC) allow wraps in raw divisions.
• Griffin Gears Knee Wraps: ₹1,800. Available in 2M, 2.5M, and 3M lengths.
6. Deadlift Socks — Mandatory in All PFI Events
Deadlift socks are not optional equipment. PFI rules require that your shins are covered during deadlifts. A lifter without deadlift socks at a PFI meet will be asked to source them before their attempt — or forfeit the lift.
Beyond compliance, socks protect your shins from barbell abrasion during heavy pulls. Shin contact with the bar is normal and desirable in a good deadlift — socks prevent cuts and bleeding that would contaminate the bar and delay the competition.
• Griffin Gears Deadlift Socks: ₹699 onwards. Knee-length, cushioned sole, compression fit, IPF-approved.
A Simple Gear Budget by Stage
• Beginner starter kit: Lever belt (₹5,000) + lifting straps (₹500) = ~₹5,500
• Intermediate training kit: Add wrist wraps (₹999) + knee sleeves (₹5,999) = ~₹6,998 additional
• Competition kit: Add singlet (₹2,500–₹3,500) + deadlift socks (₹699) + knee wraps if federation permits (₹1,800)
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
Powerlifting Accessories India — The Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)
Most Indian lifters buy too much gear too early, or the wrong gear entirely.
We have seen both ends: beginners ordering 13mm competition belts before they can squat their bodyweight, and experienced lifters competing in meets without deadlift socks and getting red-lighted on a technicality. Neither situation should happen to you.
This guide tells you exactly what powerlifting accessories you need, when you need them, and what to look for when buying in India.
First — What Stage Are You At?
Powerlifting accessories serve different purposes at different stages of training. Buying a full competition kit on day one is a waste of money. Competing without the right gear after a year of training is a waste of preparation. Here is a simple breakdown:
• Beginner (0–12 months): Belt and straps. That is it. Focus on technique before adding more support.
• Intermediate (1–2 years): Add knee sleeves and wrist wraps as your training loads increase.
• Competition-ready: Add a singlet, deadlift socks, and verify all gear meets your federation's rules.
1. Lifting Belts — The Most Important Purchase
A belt does not lift the weight for you. It creates intra-abdominal pressure that helps you brace your core more effectively under heavy loads. This matters most on squats and deadlifts.
When to start using one
• Squats: When you are consistently training above 1× your bodyweight.
• Deadlifts: When you are training above 1.5× your bodyweight.
Lever belt vs. prong belt
Lever belts lock to a fixed tightness every time — no variation between sets. Prong belts are adjustable but require more time to put on and take off. For powerlifting, levers are the standard choice
10mm vs. 13mm
10mm belts are more flexible and comfortable — better for beginners building their brace. 13mm belts are stiffer and provide more feedback under maximal loads — the competition standard. If you are within 6 months of competing, go straight to 13mm.
• Griffin Gears 10mm Lever Belt: ₹4,999–₹5,499 — recommended for beginners and intermediate lifters.
• Griffin Gears 13mm Lever Belt: Competition-spec, 4-inch width, IPF standard, single-piece leather. Starting at ₹4,940.
2. Lifting Straps — For Pulling Movements
Straps eliminate grip fatigue on deadlifts, rows, and shrugs. They allow you to train the target muscle without your grip becoming the limiting factor.
• Griffin Gears Lifting Straps: Heavy-duty cotton webbing, soft inner lining, compatible with barbells, dumbbells, and cable machines.
3. Wrist Wraps — For Pressing Movements
Wrist wraps stabilise the wrist joint under heavy pressing — bench press, overhead press, and some squat setups. Without support, repeated heavy pressing can lead to tendon strain, joint inflammation, and long-term wrist problems.
Wrist wraps are legal in all major powerlifting federations for both training and competition.
• Griffin Gears Wrist Wraps: ₹999 — available in navy and red. USPA equipment compliant.
4. Knee Sleeves — For Squats and General Knee Health
Knee sleeves provide compression and warmth to the knee joint. They improve blood flow, reduce pre-lift soreness, and give a small elastic rebound at the bottom of a squat. They are legal in both raw and equipped powerlifting divisions in most federations.
• Griffin Gears 7mm Knee Sleeves: Starting at ₹5,999. IPF-compliant neoprene construction. Sized by knee circumference.
Sizing tip: Measure around the centre of your kneecap with legs straight. If your calf circumference is more than 4cm larger than your knee, size up to avoid circulation restriction.
5. Knee Wraps — For Competition Squats
Knee wraps are elastic bandages wound tightly around the knee before a heavy squat. Unlike sleeves, they provide a significant elastic rebound and are treated as equipment by federations.
Check your federation's rules: IPF Raw allows knee sleeves only. Some other federations (SPF, GPC) allow wraps in raw divisions.
• Griffin Gears Knee Wraps: ₹1,800. Available in 2M, 2.5M, and 3M lengths.
6. Deadlift Socks — Mandatory in All PFI Events
Deadlift socks are not optional equipment. PFI rules require that your shins are covered during deadlifts. A lifter without deadlift socks at a PFI meet will be asked to source them before their attempt — or forfeit the lift.
Beyond compliance, socks protect your shins from barbell abrasion during heavy pulls. Shin contact with the bar is normal and desirable in a good deadlift — socks prevent cuts and bleeding that would contaminate the bar and delay the competition.
• Griffin Gears Deadlift Socks: ₹699 onwards. Knee-length, cushioned sole, compression fit, IPF-approved.
A Simple Gear Budget by Stage
• Beginner starter kit: Lever belt (₹5,000) + lifting straps (₹500) = ~₹5,500
• Intermediate training kit: Add wrist wraps (₹999) + knee sleeves (₹5,999) = ~₹6,998 additional
• Competition kit: Add singlet (₹2,500–₹3,500) + deadlift socks (₹699) + knee wraps if federation permits (₹1,800)
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad
Shop All Powerlifting Accessories at griffingears.com — Shipped from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad