Stan Efferding 2221 Raw PL Total at 275

[Gavin Harrison]

Garrett,

I understand, it just doesn't sound good (to me at least) when someone says "yeah but... drugs/gearwhore".

As Gary Zeolla said best is "No wraps (and maybe no belt)" should be called "Raw", "Wraps/Belt" should be called "Unequipped" and "Suits/Shirts, Wraps, Belts" should be called "Equipped" or "Geared". I think it makes sense to do it that way, and he's actually someone who would rather lift "unequipped" but not many feds do that, so he has to lift in feds that allow wraps in "Raw" competitions. I would like if the naming was this way, actually, but it is what it is, and it doesn't make much difference... the geared dudes are going to get more publicity anyway for gianormous lifts, like a 1000 lbs bench or a 1200 squat...

[Martin Bonn]

I agree with Garrett: i think it s important to be correct with the terms you use, if only for comparisons sake, i m not fussed how people do their thing, whatever is better for you.
depends on your goals i guess. i m interested in what the humn body can achieve without any aid...having said that i do wear knee sleeves and oly shoes for lifting and i use chalk...am i cheating too? and i pay attention to what i eat...does that mean i m using 'drugs'? it gets a bit weird if you take this too far! do whatever makes you happy, but don t call it something it s not!

oh, and hell yeah this guy is strong by whatever standards you use!

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

I have chosen to remain silent on this topic (geared/unequiped/raw/etc) for a very long time. As I see it, lift weights and have fun.

I competed in powerlifting back when the USAPL was still the ADFPA - and everyone aspired to lift in the IPF worlds. Now, my god.....there's more than a dozen different federations with different rules on equipment, judging on lifts (height of squat, length of pause on bench, hitching in dead) and opinions on all. Everyone's stronger than everyone else, blah, blah, blah. "So and so juices" and "uses the open back bench shirt that can stand on it's own in a corner." Shut up, lift weights, and have fun.

If it's not fun, don't do it.

Personally, I prefer the raw type of of lifts. The geared/triple ply/denim/etc. is not appealing to me. I used single ply gear back in the late 80s and I thought it sucked. I've seen the triple ply suits that stand up on their own and the triple ply squat breifs you wear under them that stand on their own as well. I've seen the open back bench shirts that feel like a bullet proof vest. I've seen dudes lift in them too. Good for them. They enjoy it. They have fun. And they're keen on it.

For those that want to be this or that, good for them. It's not wrong or right. Everyone has an opinion. I think that Efferding is wicked impressive with his strength and physique as he's obviously put a lot of hard work and effort into doing what he does. I admire anyone who's willing to put for the energy and commitment to train hard - from the soccer mom doing yoga to the pro bodybuilder eating the iron.

I'll never detract from anyone's hard work. Life's too short. Lift hard and heavy and, above all else, have fun.

all the best,
Arden

[Garrett Smith]

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison

As Gary Zeolla said best is "No wraps (and maybe no belt)" should be called "Raw", "Wraps/Belt" should be called "Unequipped" and "Suits/Shirts, Wraps, Belts" should be called "Equipped" or "Geared". I think it makes sense to do it that way, and he's actually someone who would rather lift "unequipped" but not many feds do that, so he has to lift in feds that allow wraps in "Raw" competitions. I would like if the naming was this way, actually, but it is what it is, and it doesn't make much difference... the geared dudes are going to get more publicity anyway for gianormous lifts, like a 1000 lbs bench or a 1200 squat...

This is good clarification, thanks for posting this, it makes more sense.