Choosing a squat suit and what to expect

I have used squat suits in competition since 1987. I started out with a basic Inzer suit and spent about $45 for it in 1987. I would guess I got about 20-30 pounds out of the suit. I probably used it for 8-10 meets over a2 year period before I stepped up to the Inzer Z-suit. The z-suit was so tight right at the bottom hem of the leg that you would be bruised for a couple of months after using it. I might even have some marks to this day that never went away. It would leave your legs so raw that you walked bowlegged for 2 weeks. Next I moved on to the Marathon suit which was also called the “gender changer suit” by many male athletes. You will understand if you have worn one. The material was much coarser and stiffer than the Inzer suits. With the Marathon suit I was seeing about 40-50 pounds carry over. I also used the Inzer suits and the Marathon suit to deadlift in also with limited success as I was pulling conventional at that time and it was almost impossible to set up correctly to pull with those suits as they were so tight.

My next step was to try the Titan suit I believe it was called the Victor. This suit was more pliable that the past suits but seemed to be tighter in the hips and leg and not as tight in the strap and torso. I did prefer this suit over the others to date in my career and was probably getting 50-70 pounds carry over. I was probably weighing about 280 at the time and squatting in the low high 600’s to low 700’s. Not being one to let my competitors to out gear me I then went to the Titan Centurion suit and wow that was a big change in hip and leg support. It is hard to explain but it felt more like putting on armor for going into battle. I was getting just under 100 pounds of carryover now.

I though what the heck let’s step it up again and went to the Inzer Hardcore as it was all the rage and there were some big squats being put up in it. I got it and put it on at the next workout. I was sadly disappointed. I had become so accustomed to the incredible hip support from the Titan suit and the Inzer had zero support in the hips to me. It felt like the hip section of the suit was 2 sizes too big. Tight on the legs and straps but almost soft in the hips. I went back to the Titan Centurion as was happy for a while as my squat increased. A couple year later Metal came out with a suit that was supposed to be the latest and greatest, so I ordered it. Well to me it felt a little like the Inzer hardcore suit with no hip support. I have always been a wide stance squatter and hip support is critical.

Titan upped the ante with the Super Centurion, and I was first in line. The suit allowed me to move more weight than ever. I squatted all my 800+ pound squats in the Super Centurion. I have always used single ply suits as double ply just never interested me. Double ply was cheating. LOL. I had to say that for you RAW guys.

Now what suit should you try or use? Well I will give you my run down on the Titan suits and how they might work or not work for you.

Titan Superior – Great entry level suit to test the equipped waters with. You can squat and deadlift in it without a problem. An affordable option for the first suit or a training suit. Easy on an off without losing any skin or fingernails. I have used this suit in training, and it is a comfortable suit with decent pop out of the hole. Typical carry over that we see is 20-60 pounds

Titan Spartan – A step up from the Superior, but it has the Centurion dual quad harness sewn in for more hip support and more rebound out of the bottom. Deadlifting is still possible using this suit. I would still consider it an entry level suit but with a little more bite. Typical carry over that we see is 40-80 pounds

Titan Centurion – Again one step above the Spartan. Heavier material which means tighter hips, legs and more stopping power at the bottom. Specifically designed for squatting. Comes in a wide or narrow stance design for more customized support. Typical carryover that we see 50-125 pounds

Titan Super Centurion – In my opinion the best single ply squat suit available anywhere. Beefier dual quad harness system means incredible stopping power and explosion out of the hole. Wide or narrow stance version available.  Not a beginner’s suit. Typical carryover 75-150 pounds. I personally got close to 200 pounds out of my custom fit suit

Fitting and tightness

This is a tough thing to deal with for some people. If you want a squat suit that gives you support so that you can handle heavier weights, then it will not a comfortable like a singlet. It will leave some marks on your legs, hip and shoulders. You won’t want to wear it but for a very short time and you will curse it and love it at the same time. Now if you don’t want the pain or the marks but still want a little support then a suit will provide that but don’t expect much carryover and that is fine as it is a personal preference. Bottom line is tighter is better in a squat suit, but the learning curve is steeper, and you will need to learn to use it over time.

In the days past you would break a suit in as the material did stretch and adjust to you. Today’s fabrics don’t really change at all. I tell people that the suit breaks you in. Typically, you need 2-4 workouts in a suit to start getting comfortable in it. If you have not used a suit before the first 1 or 2 training sessions will most likely be uncertain. Don’t fear though it does get better and easier. You must show the suit your squat path instead of the suit telling you where to squat.

Finally, the team Lifting Large is available 5 days a week by email, phone or website chat for help in deciding which suit would work for you or helping you figure out how to get the most out of your suit.