Ep. 14 | Toe Socks, Tingles, And Tight Shirts: Some of Our Favorite Things

Ever wonder what we use for continued success? Today we unpack our favorite things that keep our training consistent and productive: the clothes that match meet-day feel, the shoes that stabilize your base, the pre-workout strategy that fuels hard sets, and the accessories that build muscle where it counts. 

We start with the foundation: outfits and footwear that make lifts feel the same in training and competition. Then we tackle pre-workout and carbs, comparing coffee and stim-free formulas to Gorilla Mode, and sharing quick carbs like honey, dates, and applesauce that turn sluggish sessions into strong volume. We also talk warm-ups like thoracic openers, hip circle activation, and rotator cuff work that respect your time while preparing the body for success.

We also share honest gear favorites Pioneer belts, Friction Labs chalk, Obsidian ammonia and more. Recovery stays simple, a whey protein shake or a protein bar you’ll actually eat, deep-tissue bodywork or a guided stretching routine, and as much quality sleep as you can manage.

If you’re serious about powerlifting and or your fitness and are ready for  practical, repeatable steps that help you reach your goals and take your strength to the next level, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening and be sure to follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube to catch the video version and help us hit our 500-subscriber push. 

Transcript

Setting The Theme: Our Favorites

SPEAKER_00 0:00

What's going on, you guys? Welcome to another episode of the Fortis After Hours podcast. I'm your co-host Nate, joined by my wife Liz. Hey. And we have another amazing episode. Awesome. Amazing. I decided to switch it up because we are switching it up today. And we have another awesome episode. Yeah. Well, that was just on my brain. So it just came back to it. But, anyways, um, what we're gonna be talking about today is our favorites. So it's kind of like our favorites episode. We're gonna be talking about our favorite exercises, um, favorite equipment for powerlifting, supplements, uh, and many, many more things. So we're gonna be running through just some of our favorite things that we like basically for the gym. Um, I figured we got a lot of questions about that, or like sometimes people will be like, hey, like, what about this or that? So this will just be a collection of all that stuff.

SPEAKER_03 0:51

Sounds good.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Um, yeah. So I figured we'd go through that and uh kind of see where that takes us. And what are I figured we'd start with is well actually I think what we're gonna start with is like it's like we're getting ready for

Outfits And Socks For Training

SPEAKER_00 1:08

the gym. So like what would be so we're gonna start with like your workout outfits, okay?

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 1:14

So just like your favorite, let's go with your favorite like bottoms to wear, favorite tops that you like, and favorite socks.

SPEAKER_02 1:23

Um I need to get my coffee. So pretty much I wear some shorts from Amazon. Can't remember the brand. Starts with an A, but they're pretty comfy. I don't know the brand name of them. Aura Aura? I don't know. I don't know. But anyways, I wear those shorts. I do not like lifting in pants. Um only shorts. Okay. Um why? Well, sometimes I'll bench in short or in pants, I guess, but typically shorts. Well, one, because when you compete, you have to wear shorts.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

So every day you're at the gym, you're competing.

SPEAKER_02 1:55

I mean you're training for competing. So like knee sleeves feel different with pants on versus shorts on. And even deadlifts, like how it comes up your leg, feels different with pants than it does with shorts. So pretty much always shorts. Um, I like my comfort color t-shirts. Okay, usually a size bigger. Why? I don't know. And then um my A7 crew socks are actually my favorite socks. And they're deadlift socks too. I really like the A7 socks.

SPEAKER_00 2:25

All right.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

They're like just the right thickness.

SPEAKER_00 2:28

All right.

SPEAKER_02 2:29

I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 2:30

Like it's a good, good padding, but not too much.

SPEAKER_02 2:33

Well, and because also I do wear my shoes, which you didn't say, but I wear the advanced shoes.

SPEAKER_00 2:39

Yeah, we'll add those in.

SPEAKER_02 2:40

I wear the advanced shoes for all of my lifts, and I don't have like super wide feet, but like they have a wider toe box, but like it still works, but I think like having a little extra thickness with the socks just makes it like the perfect fit. I gotcha.

SPEAKER_00 2:54

Kind of like fills the gap in the anti wide foot to wide foot toe box.

SPEAKER_02 2:59

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_02 3:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:01

All right. So for me, let's see. So I'll start with uh I'm gonna say with the socks for last. I'll start with my shirt. So so uh for my shirt, I like to wear a size large next level tee. Very specific. Fortis edition. Anything Fortas, and I really I have, I mean, like legitimately, I have like I made recently like a set of training shirts. So like I basically just wear a large black T. I like it to fit a little bit tighter, so kind of the opposite of Liz. I actually have grown to really like the comfort colors uh XL, or even probably I could wear 2X, like for just kind of walking around. Like I like it a little looser, but when I'm training, I do like it a little tighter. Um, I just feel like I can get in a little bit better position for my squat specifically. Um and then for bench and deadlips, I actually wear a tank top. So kind of like Liz said, it's what you're gonna wear to meet. Now, Bench, I know you know you are wearing a shirt underneath. And bench, I will say, now that we've for a while I wore the tank top because it helped me like get a little grip on the bench. Uh because I don't like using chalk or those mats or anything like that. Um but now that we have some upgraded bench press uh pads, I really don't need like I wore a shirt today and I had a great bench day, so honestly, maybe I need to start wearing a t-shirt.

SPEAKER_02 4:15

I benched a PR in a t-shirt last week. So because I was also doing a tank top, I guess, for a while. Um for bench, but I I just like my t-shirts.

SPEAKER_00 4:25

I don't know. I'm gonna have to revisit that now that I say that to you guys. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:28

Um I benched a PR in a t-shirt.

SPEAKER_00 4:30

But either way, I like a tighter fitting shirt um for either one. Um and then shorts, I wear one type of shorts, period. Dot, and that is the Lululemon Pacebreaker. Five inch or seven inch, depends on the day, depends on my mood. Um, but yeah, if you have never tried that short, uh, I would try it. It is literally the best short that's ever been invented, and they're amazing, and they're worth every penny. And yeah, I strongly recommend them. I've been using them for legitimately close to 10 years, straight. Um, so yeah, Lululemon pacebreaker short, five or seven inch inseam,

Shoes, Pre-Workout, And Carbs

SPEAKER_00 5:05

depends on your preference. I wouldn't go with the liner. I'd get linerless and just have you know normal boxers or whatever. Um, then the socks, I got a wide array of socks that I like to use. Uh so I wear toe socks mainly uh because it's terrible. Look, hey, the toe socks led to my 700-pound deadlips. Ah you just hate to hear it, but it is the facts. No. Um, yep. So I wear uh a couple brands of toe socks. One is called in Gingji or Injinji or something. I don't know. It's got a weird name. But uh I was buying theirs for a while, and then I'll tell you, I just kind of like shopped around on Amazon. I was like, let me get some cheaper ones. And it turns out the cheaper ones are absolute trash, so I will only be buying the other ones because the other ones, let me tell you, those last like like the Amazon ones literally last like one workout, and they're like, I don't even know. Like frame would not recommend. So I don't even know what that brand is. Irrelevant. If you want to socks, I would get those in Gingji brand ones. I've had some socks.

SPEAKER_02 6:08

I don't think anyone wants toe socks, so you can just move on with that.

SPEAKER_00 6:10

You never know, Liz. There might be someone listening. There might be someone listening that's like, I've been thinking about that. But, anyways, I recommend them. I've had some of their socks legit for maybe like four or five years, and they're still like intact, which is crazy because I'm pretty hard on my stuff. Um anyways, and I like the toe socks in case you're wondering why.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

Because I really No one's wondering why you like toe socks.

SPEAKER_00 6:34

They might be wondering, Liz. So I like the toe socks because ideally I would like to just be barefoot all the time, but that's not how it goes. Like Liz said, we compete. Um, so I just like the feeling that it gives me. Um, I do not think like some people are like, oh, you need the toe socks to like spread your toe. Like you can do that with in regular socks. I just like the feeling that it gives me. It's more of like a feeling thing, and I just feel like I can lock my feet into a better position with the toe socks. So there you have it. That's my socks. And shoes? Shoes. Uh I wear Vanceis for bench and deadlift, and then I wear some tear lifters, which I feel like that's kind of more equipment. Whatever. We'll get to that later. Um I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 7:17

You're talking about clothes. You can't like you wear shoes when you get like dressed. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 7:23

Yeah. Well, yeah. Right now I'm wearing zeros, but I think I might switch it back to Vivo barefoots. I wear barefoot shoes all the time. Um, I might just go back to Five Fingers to see Liz's face every morning. It might be funny. If I get one comment on YouTube about that, I'll switch to those. No. Um, all right. So next, let's do what is your favorite pre-workout? Since we're talking about like before.

SPEAKER_02 7:49

Actually, weirdly, I just started taking pre-workout. Um, I've tried like a bunch of different kinds of pre-workout. I guess not really a bunch, but I've tried some different kinds of pre-workout over the years, and I never really like them. I don't, I just have never been a fan. So, really for a while I drank energy drinks, then I drank just coffee, but then someone brought in the it's Gorilla Mode. I think it's Gorilla Mode, technically, is the pre-workout. But it's like the Gorilla Mind energy drinks, same company. Um, I really like it. So Gorilla Mode, Gorilla Mind. Um has I really like it. Um, I do not like beta alanine tingly grossness in pre-workout. Um, and this does not have that, which makes me very happy. Okay. Um, I don't like how that feels. I don't like the I yeah, no. But, anyways, and I have blackberry lemonade flavor currently.

SPEAKER_00 8:40

It's delicious. Nice. Um, my pre-workout is way lamer sounding than Liz's. Uh, I just drink coffee. That's what I used to do. That's what I've been drinking for a long time. And then I do sometimes mix in, usually I do mix in like a non-stem pre-workout because I do like beta alanine. I just like to have some beta alanine there, kind of kind of get a little boost, um, feel the tingles, you know. I kind of feel like Spider-Man um unlocking the spidey senses when that's happening. You know, because he has like spider strength.

SPEAKER_02 9:14

Cause he tingles.

SPEAKER_00 9:16

Yeah, like when he's like your spidey sense is tingling, you know? Oh. Yeah. Anyways, so I like that. Um, and then I have a pre-workout meal that I could go to right now is uh some dates and some honey. And then right now I have some dried mangoes uh because I bought the wrong kind. And they're okay. I might those might be a staple too. I might keep those in there. We'll see.

SPEAKER_02 9:38

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:38

Um, all right. So yeah, that's my pre-workout. And then I have an applesauce pouch. There you go.

SPEAKER_02 9:46

And or honey.

SPEAKER_00 9:46

Yeah, I like having some carbs. I just feel a lot better. Uh, I feel like I can perform a lot better um with a little bit of quick acting time.

SPEAKER_02 9:55

Yeah, so quick tip if you don't have carbs in before around during your workout, yeah, try adding some in.

SPEAKER_00 10:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:02

Either before or during, depending on like what type of training you're doing.

SPEAKER_00 10:06

Mm-hmm.

Intermission And YouTube Plug

SPEAKER_00 10:07

Okay, we're gonna take a quick intermission and then we're gonna be right back. Okay, we're back.

SPEAKER_02 10:13

Toby had a potty break.

SPEAKER_00 10:15

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 10:15

And now he's joining us.

SPEAKER_00 10:16

Yep, and now he's joined the podcast. Uh so really it's probably better for your viewing, viewing pleasure on the YouTube uh edition. If you didn't know, we do have full video podcasts on YouTube available if you want to check it out. Uh that way you can see Toby, me, Liz, sometimes just me and Liz. Uh, see how big my head is compared to Liz. It really looks huge. I'm not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_01 10:38

I'm just really short.

SPEAKER_00 10:38

Yeah, I think that's

Warm-Ups And Mobility Essentials

SPEAKER_00 10:40

part of it. I think my head is just giant too, though. It's fine. Um, all right, so moving on. So we're dressed, we're ready for the gym, we're heading into the gym with the pre-workout. What is your go-to warm-up? So what? Like, you like like what is something you like to do to warm up? You do a lot of different warmups. So share just some of them.

SPEAKER_02 11:00

Well, really, I do a lot of mobility, but I do it like earlier in the day, like not necessarily like right before I lift. Um, because my body does not really like to be super mobile. So I do a lot of mobility depending on what I'm doing, hips, thoracic, um, that's the biggest I would say. Mobility things. Okay. Um, so I definitely have to do a bunch of that, but I try and do it earlier in the day if I have time. And then like before I'm more uh before I like actually start lifting, I'll do like a few basic things. Like I always have to open up my chest a little bit because it's always really tight. And then I don't know.

unknown 11:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 11:44

That's I mean, I feel like I'll do like I don't know, I guess it's hard because like I do I just kind of do what I feel like my body needs to do that day. That's right. Which I don't know. That's not a great answer. But I do a lot of mobility based on how like things feel. I'll do like some empty bar, and if I'm like, oh wow, that hurts. Yeah, I mean that's good information too, because then I go do whatever I need to do to fix the problem that was tight.

SPEAKER_00 12:08

Like I don't know. Which is smart. I think because that way you're not really there's no time wasted, like you're doing what you need to do, but not like crazy anything else.

SPEAKER_02 12:16

Yeah, and I also I don't know, I've been doing this for a while, so I kind of know like how my body's feeling. I'm pretty good at like listening to it also. And then I guess like part two of that is I'm not just like sitting around all morning either. Like I'm usually up training like other people, walk walking around, like moving around. So I've been like moving and not just sitting for like a bunch of hours or driving for who knows how long to like get to the gym. So I think that definitely helps. Like I might have a slightly different answer if I'd had like a desk job and had been sitting all day and then came to the gym. But that makes sense. That's kind of my answer.

SPEAKER_00 12:52

Yeah, I think for me, um kind of like Lisa, I mean I'm moving around a lot, so I don't usually do like a warm-up. Like I my body's usually pretty warm. Uh, but some specific things I do, I like to do this kneeling thoracic stretch. I'll probably make an actual video about it. I've done it in the past videos, but I'll I'll maybe make a new one. Uh I do that, and then I do this foam roller stretch for the thoracic spine as well. And then as long as it's like a squat or deadlift day, I usually do some sort of hip circle work to get the hips warm. Um, and then if it's a bench day, then I will do like kind of some rotator cuff things. Uh and that kind of gets them like gets my rotator cuff muscles like warmed up, loosened up, ready to go for bench press. So that's kind of like my go-to warm-ups. Like they said, sometimes

Favorite Upper Body Exercises

SPEAKER_00 13:40

I'll feel something specific and I'll do like something a little bit different. Uh, but those are usually like my go-to warmups, I would say. So all right, so up next, we're in the gym. What are like some of your favorite upper body exercises movements? I put accessories, but really exercises. Give me, we'll do give me two. Give me two.

SPEAKER_02 14:03

Um, like any upper body, anything?

SPEAKER_00 14:06

And your favorite. They don't necessarily need to be like like if you could only pick two type thing. Just your favorite. What do you like doing?

SPEAKER_02 14:13

Um probably lat pull downs.

SPEAKER_03 14:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 14:19

And I don't know. Maybe like single arm rows.

SPEAKER_03 14:26

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 14:26

I like back things, that's about it. I don't like doing arms. Um I mean dumbbell rows.

SPEAKER_00 14:33

I don't like doing arms.

SPEAKER_02 14:34

I don't. I don't. Maybe dumbbell bench just because like I understand the benefits of it. I guess I don't necessarily, it's not like I love it, but so maybe dumbbell bench.

SPEAKER_00 14:46

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 14:47

Yeah, me and upper body. Prefer back things to other upper body things.

SPEAKER_00 14:53

Yeah, I mean, that's fair. Mine would be, mine would be uh, I mean, this rotates, but right now is gonna be a chest supported row with not too much weight. So I can do a lot more weight, but I've really enjoyed actually kind of lowering the weight and really focusing on a tighter squeeze. I just did that actually today. So I'm gonna go chest supported dumbbell row with like a moderate load, really tight squeeze. And then I'm gonna go tricep, push down, any type of bar, must include drop set. Just burned by triceps. I love it. Just destroyed by tricep. I feel like I'm doing work. Um, so yeah, so that would be my favorite upper body accessories or upper body exercises. Um, what about your favorite lower body exercises? Gotta pick two, or you can do three.

SPEAKER_02 15:40

But like not actual barbell things.

SPEAKER_00 15:42

Yeah, no barbell, just uh regular exercises, lower body.

SPEAKER_02 15:47

Um probably oh man, that's hard. I weirdly like Bulgarian split squats, which everyone thinks is really weird. But I do actually.

SPEAKER_00 16:04

Toby's done podcasting.

SPEAKER_02 16:07

Toby's having a hard day today.

SPEAKER_00 16:08

I'm done podcasting.

SPEAKER_02 16:10

Um probably Bulgarian split squats. I think.

SPEAKER_00 16:16

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 16:17

I know that's a weird thing to like. Um

Favorite Lower Body Exercises

SPEAKER_02 16:20

but yeah. And then like if I were to pick two things, probably that, like if I were just to gonna do two things, probably that, and then I don't know, either like gobblet squats or maybe back extensions.

SPEAKER_00 16:35

He returned. So gobble squats, back extensions, or Bulgarian squat squats.

SPEAKER_02 16:42

Okay. Off the top of my head.

SPEAKER_00 16:46

Okay. I would say um for me.

SPEAKER_02 16:51

What do you mean, buddy? Toby's gonna podcast now.

SPEAKER_00 16:56

Yeah, Toby's podcasting now. What are your favorite lower body exercises, Toby? Wow. I'm looking at the camera though. Halfway there, Toby. Um, so my favorite lower body exercises. Hmm. Back extensions doesn't count. That's your back.

SPEAKER_01 17:13

It's like lower back glutes.

SPEAKER_00 17:16

Okay. Uh I just thought of that.

SPEAKER_01 17:19

I mean, it's in the lower part of your body, lower back. Alright. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 17:24

I would probably go, I would probably go hamstring curl. Uh I like hamstring curls. And then I like belt squats. Probably those.

SPEAKER_02 17:34

I was gonna say Romanian deadlifts, but I much prefer Romanian deadlifts with a barbell, so yeah. Over dumbbells, but I also do like Romanian deadlifts.

SPEAKER_00 17:43

That's fair. I actually also like Romanian deadlifts. I could interchange that with a hamstring curl. Um, I've been doing Romanian deadlifts. I pull mainly sumo, uh, which is what I do for powerlifting, but um I've always struggled with conventional off the floor, but I found a newfound kind of like love for uh Romanians out of a rack. Weird, it's awesome. Uh basically that eliminates the need for you to like build tension off the floor, which I always struggle with with conventional, and you're always you're already tight. So recently I did 405 or 10 on Romanian Deadlifts for a few weeks I did that, and it felt pretty good. So I would also say that progress. Yeah, so Romania, I go Romanian deadlift, belt squat, and then hamstring curls. Um, I know that's three.

SPEAKER_02 18:29

You can't tell by my answers to this. I don't really love accessories, I just do them.

SPEAKER_00 18:34

Yeah, we'll get to the other stuff soon.

SPEAKER_02 18:35

I like the other stuff better.

SPEAKER_00 18:37

Um, next up is gonna be core, which this is where I figure back extensions.

SPEAKER_02 18:45

I mean, I feel like if someone asked me core, I would really only think like abs, though. That's the problem. Which I understand that's not the only part of your core, but I feel like if someone asked me, like, what's your favorite core exercise? I would definitely just go to like ab exercises.

SPEAKER_00 19:02

That's fair. All right, I'll go first. So I'm gonna do a weighted plank with a hundred-pound plate, and then I'm gonna turn around and hit back extensions with a hundred-pound plate. Me and the hundred-pound plate just chilling.

SPEAKER_02 19:14

Best friends.

SPEAKER_00 19:14

That's

Core Work That Actually Helps

SPEAKER_00 19:15

it.

SPEAKER_02 19:15

Best friends.

SPEAKER_00 19:16

I love weighted planks, and I feel like they really help me with my bracing, and I like back extensions. Helps me uh grow my back. Ironically. So that's gonna be my two favorite.

SPEAKER_02 19:28

Weird. Um, I would probably do side planks, actually.

SPEAKER_00 19:35

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 19:35

And nobody likes side planks.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

I always program them in and like not a lot of people like them, but they're really beneficial.

SPEAKER_02 19:41

Yeah, I think that's probably why I would do them.

SPEAKER_00 19:43

Side planks and then uh, because you know that they're beneficial. Probably. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 19:48

I don't actually I don't really enjoy doing like there's not like an ab exercise that I'm like, yeah, this is so fun.

SPEAKER_00 19:55

Um me neither.

SPEAKER_02 19:57

Maybe, maybe also hanging leg raises, which I don't really like to do very much, but I do like to do them, which sounds really weird. Okay. Or just leg raises in general, I guess.

SPEAKER_00 20:09

Okay. Um, all right, so those are our core accessories. So then we can move into uh let's go into like favorite powerlifting, uh basically

Best Squat, Bench, Deadlift Variations

SPEAKER_00 20:24

variations of a squat bench and deadlift. So, like obviously, you got your squat bench and deadlift.

SPEAKER_03 20:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:29

Um, which I guess we could do a quick rating of those. What's your favorite of the big three, right? Right now. Currently? Yeah, right now, right now.

SPEAKER_02 20:35

Squat.

SPEAKER_00 20:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 20:36

Second bench, third, deadlift. They're in order for you, right now. They are right now. Right now, they are in fact in order, which is wild. And this is probably like the first time ever that I like bench more than deadlift, but that's okay.

SPEAKER_00 20:49

Mine would be deadlift, squat, bench. In that order currently. Nice, but they're all fine. Yeah. Um, okay, so then let's go through and what's one, because there are many. Uh, if you had to pick one favorite squat variation, what would that be?

SPEAKER_02 21:06

Pause squat. That's easy. And why? That's easy. And why? Because I like them. Okay. Um, well, one, I'm actually good at them, so that's probably also partially why I would pick them because I'm good at them. Um but I don't know. I just I for me, they definitely are like a confidence builder, I guess.

SPEAKER_03 21:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:28

Again, because I'm good at them. But I like them because it allows you to, I don't know, like really focus on like positioning, staying tight, like in the hole, at depth, and then just really just standing back up. Yep. And I'm good at it for some reason.

SPEAKER_00 21:46

All right.

SPEAKER_02 21:46

So pause squats.

SPEAKER_00 21:48

So for me, I'd probably go for the squat, I'd probably go tempo squats. Uh we just made a video on this, and I mean, uh it just that variation has helped me. The most. So tempo squats, but I'm going to go moderate weight on that. Like actually like light. Like probably like lighter weight. Like I would consider it to be lighter weight. I don't like doing tempo squats with the heavier weight.

SPEAKER_02 22:11

I don't think anyone would like doing tempo squats. Well, I've I've tried.

SPEAKER_00 22:14

Like I've tried threes, like fives, tempo seems to be the sweet spot that we've recently found, and I really love it. Uh because it's light enough to where I can move it good, and I can focus on solely the movement and not focus on the weight at all. Um, so yeah, tempo squats, that's gonna be my number one variation. Uh all right, what about bench? You do many of them.

SPEAKER_02 22:37

I do so much bench. Um but the problem is I don't like any other grip other than my comp grip because it's so hard. Um like I do mid-grip, I do close grip. Both of those are just they're just so hard compared to my um comp grip.

SPEAKER_00 22:57

All right, so that's a pre phrase. What do you think has like helped your bench the most?

SPEAKER_02 23:01

Uh definitely doing those other grips, mid-grip and close grip both. Um I mean, ego lifting, I like doing block press because I can block press a lot of weight, which is just kind of fun to hold it and move it. Um, do I think that really helps my bench for me? No, because I have issues off the chest and not not off the chest.

SPEAKER_00 23:25

Well, it's funny you said that because I think I have a very similar like I don't really have like a favorite variation. I just kind of like benching, like regular bench. Um so I guess pause bench. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 23:39

I don't know. Like that's not really a variation because that's what you have to do.

SPEAKER_00 23:42

Yeah, if I had to say like a variation, it's funny you said that because I would also I think I would do like slingshot bench. I haven't done it in forever, but like I just enjoy it. Like it's fun to like just shift heavy weight, but I can never it just never seems to translate. So I just have stopped doing it. Yeah because the risk for injury is higher. And say with block press, like it's just when you're overloading anything, the risk just goes up. So I'm like, I'm I'm good. So yeah, that's so yeah, I don't know. That's kind of a lame answer for the people. I guess like if I had to if I had to say one variation that I think has helped me the most, it'd probably either be spado press or uh soft touch bench because it's just helped me learn to be controlled, uh, and really not even controlled, but to be tight at the bottom.

SPEAKER_03 24:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:28

That's something I've struggled with. So yeah. I like those. Um, all right, deadlifts. What we got? What we got?

SPEAKER_02 24:34

Um again, my favorite for my ego deadlifting would be um block pulls from like a higher-ish block, like from around the knees, because I'm really good at those. Okay, so that's just for the ego. But then what actually I feel like probably helps and is beneficial would be pause deadlifts. Okay. Again, hence pausing everything.

SPEAKER_00 24:59

Yeah. Um I haven't done like a deadlift. I mean, I guess pause deadlifts as well, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 25:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:12

Um, yeah, no, I'd have to go pause deadlifts. Actually, I do pause deadlifts sometimes in my regular sets, so that's something. That is true. Because it does just help me with the timing uh and remaining tight. It I don't think pauses really have too much of a negative uh the like trade-off, like they really are just like super efficient um in helping you learn tightness, timing, and everything in the deadlift. So I'd probably go pause deadlift as well for my favorite deadlift variation. Um I would say if I had to pick a different bar, it would be the stiff bar deadlift, just like my normal sumo, but stiff bar. Yeah. Because I think that helped me out a lot with timing and building tension and whatnot.

SPEAKER_03 25:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:56

So yeah. Alright, so those are our favorite variations. We told you guys our favorite movements right now. Now we will go over our powerlifting equipment. Favorite powerlifting equipment. And we're probably just gonna run through like our favorite equipment. We could expound on that, but basically, if you have questions, hit us up. Um, all right. You and Toby, you and Toby want to start

Powerlifting Gear Head-To-Toe

SPEAKER_00 26:20

off. Um, favorite powerlifting equipment, we'll just go head to toe. Like, what do you wear on a daily basis? What do I wear? Okay, and it meets, and it meets.

SPEAKER_02 26:27

So favorite. He's fine.

SPEAKER_00 26:31

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 26:32

Um, favorite mouth guard, because I do wear mouth guard, um, is New Age, the 6DS low profile. Very specific.

SPEAKER_00 26:41

Um, they may as well call it the Liz. I think she's bought like 10 of them.

SPEAKER_02 26:44

I do like those a lot. So that would be my mouth guard of choice. Um, and then what head to toe. I guess wrist wraps, I guess, would be next going head to toe.

SPEAKER_03 26:57

Shirt.

SPEAKER_02 26:58

Well, we already talked about clothes that we wear.

SPEAKER_03 27:00

Yeah, you're right.

SPEAKER_02 27:01

Um, wrist wraps, I would do right now. I use A7. They're like their flee ones. I don't really like super stiff wrist wraps. I know a lot of people do, but I actually much prefer a more flexible one just with I don't know how I bench and how I squat. I prefer a more flexible one.

SPEAKER_03 27:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 27:18

So I like the A7 flexi wraps. And then singlet, I wear a fleo singlet. I've also worn A7 singlets, but the Fleo ones are very comfortable and they're cute. If a singlet can be cute.

SPEAKER_00 27:35

Um they did it.

SPEAKER_02 27:37

Knee sleeves, I wear, I have A7s that I've worn for a while. I recently got the it's like next level strength co, I think. Strength co. Um, next level, they have a pro knee sleeve, which is very stiff.

SPEAKER_03 27:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 27:53

Very, very stiff. Um, but I've been hitting some good little PRs in those. So currently I would say those would be my favorite. Like that's what I plan on competing in. But I've been wearing A7 Rigor Mortise ones for a while. Um and then we already talked about socks, are also A7. Oh, belt. I have a pioneer. I have actually two, two belts or no belts for deadlifts. So currently I wear a four-inch lever belt for squats, a three-inch lever belt for bench, and then who knows for deadlift. Last week I wore no belt.

SPEAKER_00 28:31

There you go.

SPEAKER_02 28:32

The week before I wore a three-inch. I've done a four-inch for deadlift, so I don't really know on deadlifts right now. But um, all those are pioneer and they have the paddle lever. Um, I've had them for literally years. Um, 10 millimeter is what I prefer. And then the shoes advance.

SPEAKER_00 28:49

All right.

SPEAKER_02 28:50

And I think that's all the clothes I wear for me today.

SPEAKER_00 28:54

Um, all right. So for me, I like I like the airwave mouthpiece. I used to use the next level one, but I like the airwave one. Uh just a little bit lower profile. And I don't really like bite down too much on anything, so I don't need it to be like thicker. Um, so yeah, I like the airwave one. Um, and then let's see, wrist wraps or singlet. I like a7 singlets, pretty much any of them. I just like them, they fit well. Um, and then they they fit well, and I I do wish they had like the black one. The one I have is all black, but it's kind of like gray.

SPEAKER_02 29:31

It's kind of not black.

SPEAKER_00 29:32

Yeah. So maybe we'll see a all black one soon. Um, but yeah, so A7 singlet. I have A7 wrist wraps, which I'm not gonna lie to you, I could probably use any wrist wrap. I just use them for uh squat as of now. I went through a phase of using them for bench, but after switching back to no wrist wraps for bench, that's definitely the move for me. I don't know, I really don't know why. I think I just am able to stack my wrists in a lot better position without the wrist wraps. So that's it. I works that's all I got. Um, but yeah, A7, and I like the stiff ones for squat. I will say that if I was to switch wrist wrap like companies, I would keep the same style. So it needs to be a stiff wrist wrap because I like it for squats.

SPEAKER_03 30:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:13

Um belt, uh the same pioneer belt that I got 2019, 2018, don't know. Um and then shoes, tier, lifter, l2 lifter, their second gen lifter, um, for squats, which I really like. Um, it is by far like one of one in its class of like lifter because it has a wider toe box and like a very stable base compared to I've I've used Nike's um Reebok. That's what I was trying to think of the other one. I've used different brands of lifters, it is by far the best in the market. So their L2 lifter, amazing shoe, would buy over and over again, and then the advances uh for bench and deadlift, uh, which again they are by far, especially their newest version, is by far the best shoe in my opinion. Um, it's flexible, it has zero drop. I took the insoles out for extra zero drop and plenty of grip, which I like. Um, some other things I like is friction labs chalk.

Protein Picks And Recovery

SPEAKER_00 31:20

I like that for deadlifts specifically.

SPEAKER_02 31:23

I also like that chalk.

SPEAKER_00 31:24

Yep. It's good for squat and bench, of course, as well. Um, and the big plus is like I really like it because I I can actually feel the difference um in the actual like grip, like how it feels. But the big thing that like a lot of people might like is it allows you to apply it less by being a better product. So like you really only have to apply it like once, and your hands will be fine for like the whole workout. Um now you might want more like for you know grip's sake, but it's generally fine and dry for the entire workout. I also like their liquid chalk, and then the last thing that I like is obsidian ammonia. It is the best ammonia on the market. Um and if you've never tried it, good luck. Good luck, yeah, hold it away from your body. Um, so yeah, that's all the stuff that I like. That's like my powerlifting equipment, what's in my bag type thing. And meat day doesn't really change what's different either. Um, I pretty much just wear that same stuff. So that's my powerlifting equipment. Um trying to think. Any other favorites? I think that was basically it.

SPEAKER_02 32:33

I think that's pretty much it for powerlifting.

SPEAKER_00 32:35

Yeah, um, oh yeah, and then my I was gonna do one more thing. What's your favorite protein source? Since you don't use protein drink.

SPEAKER_02 32:45

My Built Puff protein bars currently.

SPEAKER_00 32:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 32:48

They're delicious.

SPEAKER_00 32:49

Shout out to one of my clients, Jordan, for putting Liz on those.

SPEAKER_02 32:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 32:53

Uh they're really good. Yeah, she loves them. They do taste really good, I have to say.

SPEAKER_02 32:56

They're like kind of marshmallow-y. So if you don't like marshmallows, because I've had a couple people tell me that, like, I'm like, ah, they're really good. And they get them and they're like, oh, they're like marshmallows. I'm like, yeah? They're like, I don't like marshmallows. So if you don't like marshmallows, you're not gonna like them.

SPEAKER_00 33:09

Liz is like, who doesn't like marshmallows?

SPEAKER_02 33:10

I love marshmallows.

SPEAKER_00 33:12

Um, but yeah, so that's Liz. I like for me, I just like the protein powder. I just use optimal nutrition uh regular way. It works, it digests well,

Wrap-Up And Subscriber Goal

SPEAKER_00 33:22

it's cheap, and tastes good. So that's the recovery aspect of it.

SPEAKER_01 33:26

Perfect.

SPEAKER_00 33:27

Um, all right. And then ooh, and then one more thing. One more thing.

SPEAKER_02 33:32

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 33:33

What's your favorite like recovery thing to do? It could be like as simple as like sleep, the protein bars, whatever like thing that you do. I'll go first. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 33:43

I mean sleep. All right. I like sleep a lot, but that's debatable currently. So I do like my massages, like body work.

SPEAKER_03 33:53

Oh yeah. That's it.

SPEAKER_02 33:54

But like very deep tissue, not like a go and relax spa day massage.

SPEAKER_00 33:59

Yeah, that's more what I was thinking of because that's what I was gonna say. My favorite like kind of recovery thing to do is a stretching app that I do, appliability. Um, and I like to relax during that, try and like breathe, focus on my breath, and like get some stretching in.

SPEAKER_02 34:14

Yeah, it doesn't happen when I get massage.

SPEAKER_00 34:16

Yeah, but it works for you.

SPEAKER_02 34:18

It does work.

SPEAKER_00 34:19

Different things. That's what I wanted to share with the people.

SPEAKER_02 34:21

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 34:21

Um, all right. Well, I think that wraps up our favorites episode. Hopefully you guys enjoyed this. If you have questions on some of the specifics that we mentioned, feel free to reach out. Uh, but these are just, like I said, a collection of our favorite things uh in the gym, exercises, uh powerlifting related, stuff like that. And uh, yeah, I think that's it.

unknown 34:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 34:41

Toby, you got anything to say? We forgot to pencil in the podcast on Tubby's schedule, so I think he's just rebelling.

SPEAKER_02 34:48

I don't know today.

SPEAKER_00 34:49

But he's decided. He's guys, no one told me that we were doing this today.

SPEAKER_02 34:54

Yeah, he's not having it.

SPEAKER_00 34:56

Yeah. Uh all right. Well, we're gonna go ahead and wrap it up, you guys. Thank you so much for tuning in to another episode. Uh, please follow along on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and if you haven't yet subscribed, subscribe to our YouTube. My goal is to get to 500 subscribers in the first 50 days. We have 19 days to go. But when this comes out, less than that.

SPEAKER_02 35:17

Good luck.

SPEAKER_00 35:17

Let's roll. All right. Peace.

SPEAKER_02 35:20

Bye.