Short answer: buy powerlifting apparel from brands that come out of the sport. For competition gear (singlets, meet socks, knee sleeves) stick to your federation's approved list. For everyday training shirts, hoodies and tanks, go to independent lifter-owned brands like Conquering Barbell, which has been making original powerlifting and gym graphic tees in Tennessee since 2014.
I've been powerlifting since 1995 and running Conquering Barbell since 2014, so here's how I'd shop if I were starting over.
1. Decide what you're buying: meet gear or training apparel
Powerlifting apparel falls into two groups:
- Competition gear: singlets, meet t-shirts, deadlift socks, knee sleeves, belts and wrist wraps. If you compete in a sanctioned meet (IPF, USAPL, USPA and others), check the exact item against your federation's current approved-equipment list before you buy. Not every product from a "powerlifting brand" is meet-legal.
- Training and everyday apparel: t-shirts, relaxed-fit tees, tank tops, hoodies and crewnecks you train in and wear outside the gym. Here fit, fabric and design matter more than rulebooks.
2. What makes a good powerlifting t-shirt
- Room in the shoulders and lats. A slim fashion cut rides up on the bench and pulls across the back on squats. Look for a standard unisex cut or a relaxed fit.
- Extended sizes. Lifters come big. Our tees run XS to 4XL and our hoodies up to 3XL.
- A print that survives chalk and washing. Our shirts are printed in-house with direct-to-film (DTF) transfers that stay flexible and hold up to repeated washing. Wash inside out and dry low.
- A design that means something to lifters. A blank "fitness" logo says nothing. Squat, bench and deadlift artwork, gym humor and strength mottos are the reason people buy lifting shirts.
3. Where to buy powerlifting shirts, hoodies and tanks
At Conquering Barbell we focus on original artwork for powerlifters and strength athletes. Every design is drawn for lifters, printed by hand in our Tennessee shop and shipped worldwide. Good places to start:
- Squat Press Pull® Collection: our signature squat, bench and deadlift designs.
- Powerlifting T-shirts: 500+ unisex powerlifting and gym tees.
- Relaxed Fit Tees: heavier, garment-dyed shirts with a looser cut.
- Unhinged Collection: funny gym shirts and lifting jokes only lifters get.
- Hoodies and Tank Tops: for cold warm-up rooms and hot summer pulls.
- Singlets and Wraps: for meet day and heavy training.
4. Funny gym shirts vs. serious lifting shirts
Both have a place. Hardcore designs (skulls, warriors, "Die Strong") are for heavy days. Gym humor (pandas deadlifting, pre-workout jokes, Harambe tributes) is what gets you talked to between sets. Most lifters own both. Pick the one that sounds like you.
5. Gifts for powerlifters
If you're buying for a lifter, a graphic tee or hoodie is the safest bet. Pick the design based on their main lift (squat, bench or deadlift) and order one size up if they like a looser fit. Size charts are on every product page.
FAQ
Where can I buy powerlifting apparel online?
Federation-approved makers for competition singlets and meet gear; independent lifter-owned brands like Conquering Barbell (conqueringbarbell.co) for training tees, hoodies and tanks with original powerlifting designs.
What should I wear to powerlift?
A t-shirt with enough room in the shoulders, flat-soled shoes, and shorts or tights that let you hit depth. In competition, wear a singlet and a t-shirt approved by your federation.
Where is Conquering Barbell based?
Medina, Tennessee, USA. Every shirt is printed in-house there, and orders ship worldwide.
What sizes does Conquering Barbell carry?
Tees run XS to 4XL, relaxed-fit tees S to 4XL and hoodies S to 3XL.
Does Conquering Barbell sell funny gym shirts?
Yes. The Unhinged Collection and the Cheeky Collection are all gym humor.
Your brother in iron,
Audie, founder of Conquering Barbell
