Strength Is Built, Not Suffered – The Case for Training With Supports
- Josh Hezza
- Mar 18
- 11 min read
Strength Is Built, Not Suffered – The Case for Training With Supports
Support ≠ Weakness: Why Smart Lifters Use Sleeves, Wraps & Belts
The Recent Sentiment Against Supportive Equipment
In the world of strength sports, there’s always a new “hardcore” trend—and right now, it’s the anti-support movement.
“You shouldn’t rely on sleeves, wraps, or belts—they’re just a crutch.” “Train beltless, train raw—that’s how you build REAL strength.” “If you need sleeves to lift, you’re weak.”
These hot takes flood social media, often from coaches, influencers, and athletes looking to position themselves as “hardcore.” The underlying message? If you use supportive equipment, you’re somehow less of a lifter.
🚨 Let’s be clear—this is complete nonsense.
The truth is, for many lifters, supportive equipment is a necessity, not a luxury. Not only that, but the entire foundation of equipped lifting, sleeves, wraps, and belts originated for a reason:
✅ To improve longevity in strength sports
✅ To keep lifters training longer and staying injury-free
✅ To allow lifters to lift more safely under maximal loads
Yet, despite all this, we’ve now reached a point where wearing knee sleeves or a belt is considered “cheating.”
🔹 The History of Supportive Equipment in Strength Sports
Supportive equipment has been a cornerstone of strength sports for decades, not a recent gimmick. The idea that lifting raw, beltless, and sleeveless is the “purest” form of strength is a modern internet take, not historical reality. The strongest lifters in history have always used support strategically—because strength sports were built around longevity and performance, not just suffering for the sake of it.
Powerlifting: Equipped Lifting Was the Norm
Before "raw" powerlifting became widely recognised, equipped lifting was standard.
Knee wraps & squat suits were developed not just for lifting bigger weights, but to reduce knee stress, reinforce stability, and prevent injury under heavy loads.
Bench shirts emerged to protect shoulders from the massive strain of pressing near-maximal weights repeatedly.
Even early lifters used makeshift supportive gear (e.g., tight knee bandages, reinforced belts, and wrist wraps) long before modern equipment was refined.
Raw powerlifting only became popular as a reaction to the increasing complexity of equipped lifting. But even today, "raw" federations still allow belts, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps—because completely raw lifting is impractical at the highest levels.
Strongman: Built on Support Gear from Day One
Strongman has never been a "raw" sport—it’s always been about lifting the heaviest weight possible, and athletes have used every tool available to do so.
Knee wraps, wrist wraps, and elbow sleeves have been staples for decades.
Olympic weightlifters have wrapped their knees daily with bandages for joint stability since the early 20th century.
Straps, belts, and supportive gear have always been used in strongman to balance maximal strength with endurance and injury prevention.
This isn’t new. What’s new is people suddenly pretending that training without these tools is morally superior.
Why Modern Elite Lifters Still Use Support Gear
Some of the strongest athletes in history—across powerlifting, strongman, and weightlifting—have used support strategically. None of them viewed using sleeves, belts, or wraps as a "crutch." They used them as tools—just like progressive overload, recovery protocols, and nutritional strategies.
Takeaway: Strength Sports Were Never About "Raw Purity"
The modern anti-support movement acts like lifters from the past never used supportive gear—which is complete nonsense.
✔ Strength sports were built on performance, longevity, and intelligent training, not just suffering.
✔ The best lifters in history used support strategically—because they knew staying in the game mattered more than an internet debate about purity.
✔ If lifters at the highest level use support gear, what makes some random Instagram coach think it’s a crutch?
The Reality: Strength Sports Were Built With Supportive Gear in Mind
This anti-support rhetoric forgets something fundamental—strength sports were never about pure suffering. The strongest lifters are the ones who train smart, not the ones who break down the fastest.
Powerlifting, for example, was never intended to be a raw-only sport. Equipped lifting has existed for decades, and even if you compete raw, the idea that you should never train with any external support is ridiculous.
Why was equipped lifting developed in the first place?
✔️ To protect lifters under heavy loads.
✔️ To reinforce joints & reduce wear-and-tear on the body.
✔️ To allow lifters to train at high intensities without breaking down.
Even knee wraps and squat suits weren’t just about adding weight—they were about stability and longevity. Today’s knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and belts follow the same logic.
Longevity Matters More Than “Hardcore” Ideology
Let’s be honest—most lifters aren’t quitting because they aren’t strong enough. They’re quitting because they’re injured, broken down, and in constant pain.
What’s the real flex? Lifting for 20+ years and still getting stronger. Not burning out after three years because you refused to use basic support gear.
If you genuinely believe that wearing sleeves or a belt is “cheating,” you’re missing the point of strength training entirely.
✅ Training should build you up—not break you down.
✅ If supports allow you to lift more consistently, they aren’t a crutch—they’re a tool.
✅ Longevity in strength sports is the real goal, not short-term suffering for Instagram points.
At the end of the day, strength is about progression and sustainability. And for many lifters, supportive gear is what allows them to keep showing up, week after week, year after year.
The Role of Supportive Equipment in Training & Competition
Strength training isn’t just about lifting more weight—it’s about staying in the game for the long haul. Yet, there’s a growing anti-support mentality in strength sports that frames sleeves, wraps, and belts as a “crutch” instead of a tool.
The reality? Smart lifters use support gear strategically to train harder, recover better, and lift longer. Let’s break down why supportive equipment isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
Maintaining Joint Health & Longevity
Strength training isn’t kind to your joints. Heavy squats, presses, and pulls put immense stress on connective tissues, and over time, this wear and tear adds up.
That’s where supportive gear comes in.
✔️ Elbow & knee sleeves keep joints warm & stable.
✔️ Belts reinforce intra-abdominal pressure to protect the spine (not by magic you know what I mean, don’t be obtuse).
✔️ Wrist wraps prevent unnecessary strain on small, fragile joints, and maintain solid lifting mechanics).
🚨 Removing all supports all the time isn’t hardcore—it’s often reckless for many.
Let’s be clear:
❌ Sleeves don’t lift the weight for you.
❌ Belts don’t replace core strength.
❌ Wraps (especially light wraps) don’t magically add numbers to your lifts. Without you learning how to get the most out of them.
What they do is reduce unnecessary stress on joints & connective tissue so you can train harder, longer, and with less risk of injury. That’s smart training, not a crutch.
Think of it this way—you don’t train without shoes just because you want “raw foot strength.” So why neglect tools that help protect your body under load?
Different Strengths & Thicknesses for Different Needs
One-size-fits-all thinking doesn’t work when it comes to supportive gear.
Not all sleeves, wraps, and belts are the same, and different thicknesses, stiffness levels, and materials serve different purposes.
🔹 Competition-Level Gear = Thicker, stiffer, designed to maximise performance under max loads.
🔹 Everyday Training Gear = More flexible, breathable, designed to provide light support while allowing movement.
Example:
✔️ You don’t genuinely max out every session, so you don’t need competition-level sleeves every session.
✔️ You don’t train at 100% intensity every day, so you don’t need the tightest wrist wraps all the time.
Practicality > Ideology.
Just like you cycle your intensity, you can adjust your equipment to match the demands of your session. There’s no need to suffer through every lift beltless and sleeveless for some misguided “raw purity” mindset.
Support Gear Keeps People Training, Not Sidelines Them
Here’s a fact most strength coaches ignore:
💥 40% of the UK adult population has a chronic condition.
That means a huge number of lifters deal with:
✔️ EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) – hypermobile joints that need extra support.
✔️ Arthritis & chronic pain – inflammation that makes compression beneficial.
✔️ Past injuries & joint instability – conditions that require protective gear to train safely.
🚨 These lifters aren’t “weak” or “cheating.” They’re doing what’s necessary to stay in the game.
Weightlifters wrap their knees with bandages every day for the same reason—to protect their joints, maintain stability, and keep training.
So why is it suddenly “wrong” for powerlifters or strongman athletes to do the same?
Train Smart, Stay Strong
If supportive gear allows you to lift safely, train harder, and stay in the sport longer, it’s not a crutch—it’s a tool.
💡 Your goal isn’t just to lift heavy today—it’s to keep lifting heavy for decades.
💪 Use the right gear for the right reason.
💪 Adjust supports based on your needs & training demands.
💪 Stop treating longevity as weakness.
🚀 The strongest lifters aren’t the ones who suffer the most—they’re the ones who last the longest.
The Role of Beltless & Raw Training (And When It Makes Sense)
There’s a fine line between strategic raw training and needless suffering. Lifting beltless, without sleeves, or completely raw can be beneficial—but only when applied correctly.
Yet, in recent years, beltless and raw training has been pushed to an extreme. Instead of using it as a tool, some lifters and coaches treat it as a moral high ground.
🚨 Here’s the truth: Raw training has its place, but when taken too far, it can cause more harm than good.
🔥 When Should You Train Beltless or Without Sleeves?
Going beltless or without sleeves isn’t just about suffering for the sake of it. Done correctly, it serves a specific purpose in your training.
✅ To Reinforce Core Stability in Specific Sessions
Beltless training can be useful for lighter warm-ups, GPP work, and submaximal lifts.
It helps lifters engage their core properly and improve bracing mechanics before introducing a belt.
Particularly useful for sled drags, carries, and high-rep work where intra-abdominal bracing isn’t the limiting factor.
✅ To Develop Awareness of Bracing & Positioning in Submaximal Lifts
No, a belt isn’t a crutch. But it does provide feedback and reinforcement.
Training without it (occasionally) forces lifters to feel their positioning and reinforce strong bracing mechanics at submaximal loads.
This is why Westside Barbell lifters train beltless on dynamic effort days. It’s not about suffering—it’s about learning to brace efficiently.
✅ To Improve Work Capacity in Controlled Doses
Lifting without maximal support can increase muscular endurance and stabiliser strength when applied correctly.
Examples:
No belt, no sleeves for high-rep hypertrophy work (maybe).
Lighter squat and deadlift variations without a belt for GPP development (again maybe).
High-rep overhead pressing to build shoulder integrity.
This doesn’t mean abandoning supports altogether—it means using them strategically.
✅ When Competition Performance Would Be Hindered by Stiff Supports
Some stiff equipment can actually interfere with movement.
Example:
Tight elbow sleeves can negatively affect log cleans in strongman.
Overly stiff knee sleeves may hinder speed in certain events.
In these cases, training without stiff equipment makes sense—because the goal is optimising movement, not just maximising tightness.
🚨 When is Raw Training Pushed Too Far?
While beltless and raw training has benefits, it can quickly become counterproductive.
❌ When It Becomes an Ideological Obsession Rather Than a Strategic Tool
Some lifters wear “raw” as a badge of honor rather than using it for actual progress.
Training beltless 100% of the time isn’t hardcore—it’s just dumb.
If you’re deliberately making training harder for no reason, you’re not impressing anyone.
❌ When It Leads to Joint Degradation & Injury for No Reason
Going sleeveless and beltless ALL THE TIME isn’t just unnecessary—it’s a recipe for long-term joint damage.
Going beltless for every deadlift session increases spinal strain over time.
You don’t get stronger by training in pain—you get stronger by training intelligently.
❌ When It Ignores the Reality That Supports Exist for Performance AND Longevity
Belts, sleeves, and wraps aren’t crutches—they’re tools.
Strength sports are brutal on the body. Lifting heavy week after week takes a toll on joints, tendons, and connective tissue.
The strongest lifters aren’t the ones who avoid equipment—they’re the ones who use it wisely.
The Bottom Line: Train Smart, Not Just “Raw” for the Sake of It
💡 Raw training has its place.
💡 But too much raw training is just self-sabotage.
✅ Use beltless and sleeveless training for GPP, bracing awareness, and work capacity.
✅ Don’t remove supports entirely—use them when necessary for longevity and performance.
✅ Stop thinking of lifting as a purity contest—it’s about getting stronger, not suffering needlessly.
🚀 Train with purpose. Lift for longevity. Keep getting stronger.
The Real Issue: Coaches & Bait Content – Why the “Never Use Supportive Gear” Crowd is Cringe
There’s a loud, performative trend in the strength world where coaches and influencers push anti-support gear rhetoric for engagement.
🚨 You’ve seen the takes:
❌ “Sleeves are a crutch.”
❌ “You’re weak if you rely on supports.”
❌ “Train raw or you’re not really strong.”
The reality? It’s bait content designed to stir controversy and farm interactions—because sensible takes don’t go viral.
🚫 The “Never Use Supportive Gear” Crowd = Cringe
Let’s be real—these hardcore purist types are more interested in attention than accuracy. Their hot takes ignore:
✔️ The physiological demands of strength training – Joints, tendons, and connective tissues don’t magically adapt to abuse.
✔️ The reality of injury prevention & longevity – Strength isn’t just about today’s PR; it’s about staying strong for decades.
✔️ That some of the strongest lifters in history have used and endorsed support gear—including equipped powerlifters, strongman legends, and elite coaches.
💬 “But Gear is a Crutch” – The Dumbest Argument in Strength Training
The strongest athletes in history? They used every tool available to maximise performance AND longevity.
As they used to say at Westside Barbell: 💬 “I’ll give you the bench shirt and a bottle of test—let’s see if you can actually do it.”
Translation? Equipment alone doesn’t make you strong—you still have to do the work.
🛑 A belt won’t fix a weak core.
🛑 Sleeves won’t fix bad squat mechanics.
🛑 Wrist wraps won’t fix a weak grip.
But what these tools WILL do is:
✅ Extend your career by reducing unnecessary joint stress.
✅ Allow you to train harder, more often, with less risk.
✅ Enhance, not replace, fundamental strength-building principles.
The issue isn’t gear—it’s bad training and bad application.
🔥 Stop Letting Engagement Farmers Shape Your Training Philosophy
🚨 If your coach is more focused on engagement than results, you need a new coach.
The best lifters aren’t arguing about whether or not to wear sleeves—they’re busy getting stronger.
💡 Train smart, use the right tools, and stop letting bait content dictate how you train.
The strongest lifters? They aren’t flexing in the comments section—they’re in the gym, doing the work.
Train Smart, Not for Social Media Approval
In strength sports, there’s a big difference between training to impress the internet and training to actually get stronger.
Lifting beltless, without sleeves, or completely raw isn’t a moral victory—it’s just one tool in the toolbox.
Yet, some people treat it as a badge of honour, ignoring what actually matters in strength training: longevity, progression, and sustainability.
💡 Supportive Equipment Isn’t the Enemy—Bad Programming and Poor Logic Are
Strength training is about intelligent progression, not blind suffering.
🚀 A belt doesn’t replace a strong core—it lets you lift more while protecting your spine.
🚀 Sleeves don’t lift the weight for you—they keep your joints warm and supported.
🚀 Wraps aren’t a crutch—they’re a tool that allows you to train harder and recover better.
📉 What’s actually holding most lifters back?
❌ Terrible programming that prioritises ego over progress.
❌ Ignoring longevity, leading to chronic pain, burnout, and stalled progress.
💡 Use the Right Tool for the Right Job
Strength isn’t about all or nothing thinking. The best lifters know when to adjust their approach and use the right tool for the job.
✔️ Need to build bracing strength? Some beltless work makes sense.
✔️ Need to push heavy squats regularly? Knee sleeves help maintain joint integrity.
✔️ Need extra wrist support for overhead work? Wraps are a no-brainer.
💡 Training smart = Knowing when and why to use the right tools.
💡 Strength Training Isn’t About Suffering—It’s About Sustainability
🚨 If your training ideology is keeping you in pain, stagnating your progress, or leading to injuries, it’s time to re-evaluate your approach.
✔️ The strongest athletes train to win—not to suffer for the sake of it.
✔️ The most successful lifters don’t let social media opinions dictate their programming.
✔️ Progress isn’t about what looks the hardest—it’s about what keeps you in the game the longest.
🚀 Want to Train Smarter, Lift Heavier, and Stay Strong for the Long Haul?
I work with serious lifters who want to train intelligently, get stronger, and avoid the nonsense.
💪 No ego-driven programming—just sustainable strength training that works.
📩 Apply for coaching today and start training for real progress, not social media approval. 🔗 Online Coaching
Comments