For many of us, it means having a heavy squat, bench, and deadlift. Enter the sport of powerlifting, where you try and lift as much as possible in these events. Powerlifting is a fantastic sport for building strength and giving yourself confidence. It’s also fairly accessible to train for: virtually anyone can learn how to perform the big three exercises.
There are no gimmicks with powerlifting. A Shake Weight and Power Plate aren’t going to give you a big squat or deadlift. The equipment you need to get strong is deceptively simple – but it’s important to ensure you invest in the right quality gear to lift safely and avoid wasting your hard-earned cash.
This article will run you through the equipment you need to train for powerlifting in a home gym, what to look out for, and our recommended products.
In this article:
- What equipment do you need for the big three powerlifting lifts?
- Barbells
- Weight plates
- Squat rack
- Bench
- Lifting platform
- Support equipment
Are you just looking for some reliable powerlifting equipment? Check out Strength Shop
What equipment do you need for the big three powerlifting lifts?
Barbell
You won’t get very far training for powerlifting without a barbell! As you’ll be using this in all 3 of the big lifts (and in many accessories), we recommend investing in a barbell that will last you at least a few years.
What to look for
Powerlifting markings: Bars designed for powerlifters typically have 81cm markings. This is important for positioning, particularly if you’re a newer lifter.
Relatively sharp knurling: The coarseness of the knurling impacts the grip. When performing the big three lifts, you want to maximise grip. You’ll likely be training in 3-6 rep ranges, so this typically isn’t long enough for the rough knurling to get uncomfortable.
Weight: Most standard barbells are 20kg. All powerlifting competitions will use a 20kg bar, so it’s good to get used to.
An appropriate maximum load: You want to buy a barbell you can grow into. We’d recommend a bar with a maximum load of at least 250kg. This will keep you going for many years of training.
Recommended barbells
2029 Power Bar
This is a great bar for powerlifting. It’s designed for static lifts, so it's not appropriate for dynamic weightlifting movements. It has powerlifting markings, sharp knurling, and a maximum load of 250kg. It comes with full black e-coating. E-coating is where the paint is applied electrically to metals. It's harder than chrome, black oxide, and zinc and is corrosion-resistant and environmentally friendly.
Original 2028 Olympic Bar
This hybrid bar is a good choice if you’re doing a mix of powerlifting, weightlifting, and functional training. While it's not specifically designed for any one sport, it's a good option if you need some flexibility.
It has a medium knurling and a 250kg maximum load for static lifts (and 120kg for dynamic lifts like clean and jerk).
Bastard Deadlift Bar
If you're an advanced powerlifter, consider getting specific barbells for each lift. The Bastard Deadlift Bar is an excellent option for training the deadlift. It has no centre knurling and more flex than a power bar. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.
Bastard Squat Bar
To optimise your squat, we recommend the Bastard Squat Bar. Unlike the deadlift bar, this bar has coarse knurling throughout, helping maintain a solid grip between your back and the bar. It's thicker than a normal power bar to handle heavier loads—it's rated up to 450kg. This bar also comes with a 3-year performance warranty.
Weight plates
That shiny new barbell isn’t much use without weight plates. While it might seem like a simple purchase, there are a few considerations you need to make before you invest in plates.
What to look for
Cast iron or steel plates are ideal for powerlifting. They are durable and typically slimmer than bumper plates, allowing you to load more weight onto the bar. Rubber-coated plates can be a good choice if you want to minimise noise.
Compatible with your barbells: Ensure the plates have a 2-inch diameter hole to fit standard Olympic barbells.
Weight accuracy: Precision can be particularly important if you’re a competitive lifter. Look for plates with a +/- 1% tolerance of the stated weight.
Recommended weight plates
Strength Shop Calibrated Steel Plates
Steel plates are the best choice for serious powerlifters. They’re thin so that you can load the bar with plenty of weight. These calibrated plates have a weight tolerance of +/- 10 grams and are color-coded according to IPF standards.
Strength Shop Cast Iron Plates
Cast iron plates can be a durable and affordable option if you're looking for a home gym set-up. While they’re thicker than steel plates, this probably won’t be a problem unless you’re an advanced lifter. These plates have a 2-inch hole size, so they will fit any standard Olympic barbell. We also offer Deep Dish Cast Iron Plates if you’re after that vintage look.
Strength Shop Rubber-Coated Plates
If you’d like to avoid waking up the neighbours while you lift, rubber-coated plates might be for you. These have all the benefits of cast iron plates but are rubber-coated for noise reduction. They also have some extra holes to grip, making them easier to pick up and carry. The downside is that they’re slightly thicker, so you might get fewer weight plates on the bar.
Power Cage/Squat Rack
As a budding powerlifter, you’re going to need a squat rack or a power cage. While they allow you to squat safely, they are also highly versatile equipment. You can do pull-ups and dips from the rack, overhead presses, shrugs, and more. If you lift alone, you can also pull your bench to the rack and set up the safety pins, so you can bench press safely without being trapped if you fail on the last rep!
What to look for
Stability: Look for a squat rack or stand with a wide base and sturdy construction to handle heavy loads without tipping or wobbling. Make sure it’s made of steel, and you can screw it into the floor. There are already too many YouTube clips of lifters collapsing under a poorly-made power rack – don’t be another one!
Weight capacity: Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll want a power rack that can support significantly more weight than you currently lift to accommodate future strength gains. Racks are a sizeable investment, so you want one that will last you many years.
Safety features: If you care about your safety (and your floor), safety bars or pins are crucial to catch the barbell if you fail a lift. This is particularly important if you train alone. Even the most elite lifter can lose focus and fail a lift.
Recommended products
Riot Garage Cage
The Riot Garage Cage is only 1.85m tall, perfect for home gyms with low ceilings. It can support up to 600kg. It has front and back bar holders for versatility and multi-grip pull-up and chin-up attachments. You can accomplish all of the big three lifts with this cage, although if you want to perform accessories like overhead presses, you might want to pick a taller cage.
Riot Power Cage
The Riot full-sized power cage has similar features to the garage cage but at a taller height of 210cm. It’s also rated for up to 600kg. The Riot Power Cage is made from 3mm steel and has a 75 x 75mm tube section. It comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar that can be flipped upside down when you need more space at the top of the cage.
Riot Squat Stand
A squat stand can be a great option if you don’t have the room (or need) for a power cage or rack. Our Riot squat stand is made of 3mm steel and has a pull-up bar. It's available in 1.8 or 2.3m variations to suit your space.
The boltholes are numbered for easy recognition. The 1.8m version has 30 bolt holes, while the 2.3m has 40. Like our power cages, the squat stand is also compatible with our 75mm riot range add-ons, including dip handles (sold separately).
Strength Shop Half Rack
A half rack is a great option if you want more versatility than a squat stand but not a full power cage. It's compact and allows you to perform the big lifts in a small area. Our half-rack includes multi-grip pull-up handles, bar holders, and safety catchers. At a height of 214cm, it can support up to 400kg on the bar holder and 200kg on the pull-up handles.
Bench
A sturdy bench is a crucial component of any powerlifting setup. Like the squat rack, it’s also super versatile. With some creativity, you can train virtually your entire body using a bench and some weights. Common accessories for powerlifters include dumbbell rows, incline presses, and skullcrushers.
What to look for
Portability: While some gyms have their benches drilled into the ground, a portable bench with wheels might be a better option for a home gym. This way you can move it in and out of the rack, and put it out of sight when you don’t need it.
Adjustability: While a flat bench is a staple for powerlifting, an adjustable bench that can incline or decline can add versatility to your training routine. If you’re exclusively bench pressing, a flat bench can add stability, but an adjustable bench is a great option for doing accessories.
Padding: Look for a bench with firm, high-density padding that provides adequate support without being too soft. The upholstery should be durable and easy to clean.
Recommended benches
Strength Shop Heavy Duty Utility Bench
The Heavy Duty Utility Bench is the only bench you need. It's over 40kg and made from 3mm laser cut steel. It's also has 3 adjustable settings, so you can easily perform incline accessories. This bench has a front handle and rear wheels, so it's very easy to move around your gym. The seat and back pads have a thick, grippy texture, perfect for locking in on your bench press form.
Strength Shop Flat Bench
A classic choice for powerlifters, this flat bench provides stability and durability. It's made of 3mm steel and the pads are made of high-quality PVC. With a load capacity of 600kg, this bench is built to last.
Lifting Platform
If you’re planning on deadlifting in your home gym, you’ll need to consider your flooring. A lifting platform provides a dedicated space for deadlifting (as well as any lift where you’re dropping the bar), protecting both your equipment and flooring. It also helps to reduce noise and impact.
What to look for
Construction: Look for platforms made with high-quality materials like heavy-duty plywood and rubber. This combination ensures durability and shock absorption. The platform should also provide a non-slip surface with a good grip.
Size: Ensure the platform is large enough to accommodate your lifting area, typically around 8 feet by 8 feet for a standard setup.
Shock absorption: A good platform should have sufficient rubber padding to absorb the impact of dropped weights, protecting your equipment and reducing noise.
Recommended products
Strength Shop Lifting Platform Frame
Our lifting platform frame has three 1x1m grippy rubber tiles for maximum stability. It’s made from steel brackets, which keep the edge of the mat safe over time. We've integrated welded banded pegs into the frame, ideal for dynamic lifting exercises and banded stretches. The platform can (and should be) bolted to the ground.
Strength Shop Soft Drop Pads
Drop pads are an alternative to a full lifting platform, providing protection for your equipment and flooring. They are portable, versatile, and effective at reducing noise and impact.
Our soft drop pads are made from high-density foam coated in tough vinyl. This helps with shock absorption and protects your equipment (and floor). The pads have vents in the cover, which allow air to escape upon impact, greatly reducing noise and vibration. They're easy to move around and come with Velcro strips on the bottom and top for a secure connection.
What support equipment do I need as a Powerlifter?
The beauty of lifting is that you don’t need much to do it. Something heavy to lift and somewhere safe to put it!
But if you want to start taking your powerlifting seriously and keep yourself safe, consider investing in some support equipment.
Here are a few of the most useful pieces of equipment for a powerlifter:
Weightlifting belts
You’ll probably already know that you ought to be bracing when you lift, especially if you’re doing a heavy squat or deadlift. A weightlifting belt gives your body something to brace against, helping improve pressure in your core. This helps keep your lower back safe during lifting and can help you lift heavier weights.
Read more: What’s the best lifting belt?
Wrist wraps
Powerlifting is a fairly safe sport, but many athletes can have problems with their wrists, especially as they age. Wrist wraps help support your wrists, which can be especially important when squatting and bench pressing. Wraps are great if you have a niggling injury or just want to add some more support.
Read more: What are the best wrist wraps for lifting?
Knee and elbow sleeves
Neoprene sleeves keep your joints warm and offer compression to stabilise your knee/elbow. Sleeves are popular with athletes who are coming back after a joint injury and want to avoid another one in the future. While they won’t add 50kg to your squat, lifting with sleeves can offer some much-needed support.
Read more: What are the best knee sleeves for squats?
Lifting shoes
Many beginner lifters start squatting and deadlifting with traditional sports shoes (like running shoes) and run into form troubles. More in-the-know lifters might stick with a flat option like a pair of Chuck Taylor’s. While this is a good choice for deadlifts, you’re missing out on some extra activation during the squat. Squat shoes can help you get more depth on your squat, leading to strength gains and better quad development.
Read more: Are weightlifting shoes worth it?
Build your powerlifting home gym with Strength Shop
Whether you’re a novice looking to start lifting or an elite powerlifter, we’ve got the equipment you need.
We’ve been manufacturing high-quality powerlifting equipment (used by world-class athletes) for over a decade. When you choose Strength Shop, you’re investing in quality gear you can rely on from a reputable and trusted brand.
Get stronger today: Shop Powerlifting equipment