One of the basic weightlifting exercises, the squat forces you to hold a heavy barbell across your shoulders, lower your hips into a deep squat position, and then get back up. Squats build larger thighs and leg strength while challenging the entire body, resulting in stronger bones, tendons, and muscles. Squatting heavy weights can be so strenuous that weightlifters often resort to wearing a special uniform called a squat suit.
Squat suit design and function
A squat suit resembles a wrestler's jersey and consists of a single piece. The suit has shorts that extend to the lower thighs and spaghetti straps that are draped over the shoulders. Straps leave the arms and most of the upper chest completely exposed and focus compression on the hips and lower body. Some suits use a Velcro-like closure system to secure the shoulder straps, making it easy to achieve a perfect fit.
Weightlifters wear this type of clothing to receive additional support when lifting extremely heavy weights. The suit works to compress the body and keep the hips in proper alignment . Due to its uncomfortably tight fit, weightlifters only wear squat suits during the final days leading up to competition. During the competition itself, wearing a suit helps to move the maximum weight . Weightlifters estimate that this garment can add more than 25 kilos to any lift. Suits can be so beneficial that weightlifting records indicate whether the athlete performed the lift in a suit or without clothing, that is, without the aid of a suit.
Features and Tips
Manufacturers build them from a variety of compression materials, all designed to offer the closest possible fit. Many suits have material double and triple layer resistant stitching to create a system of internal harness for optimum support. Squat suits should be stiff and firm against the body.
They have to be extremely tight, even uncomfortable. Wearing a suit tends to cause bruising around the hips and thighs. If there are no bruises, the suit may not be tight enough. Squat suits will affect your technique . New users of squat suits often unconsciously slow down their descent speed or begin to lean forward instead of squatting, making lifting difficult. Get comfortable wearing a suit in training before putting it on for competition.
Always check your suit for rips, tears, or structural flaws before lifting with it. The intense stress involved in squatting weighing several pounds can cause damaged squat suits to explode, resulting in a sudden loss of support. Losing the rigidity of the suit during a lift can throw it off balance or compromise mental focus, leading to injury.
