SHOES
Always wear flat, hard-soled shoes (think Converse, Vans, Keds, etc.), not soft-soled running shoes. If you don’t have hard-soled shoes, you can lift barefoot. Wearing soft-soled shoes will cause some of the energy you generate to be absorbed by the sole. Squat shoes are also appropriate for squats and bench press.
CHALK
If your gym allows it, use chalk on all the lifts, especially deadlifts. It makes a big difference.
BELT
A belt is an extra measure of protection for your lower back and becomes more important as your weights get heavier, especially on squats and deadlifts. A standard 4-inch lever belt should suffice for most people, except those with very short torsos who require a 2.5-inch belt. Don’t waste your money on a cheaper, similar-looking belt. More on belts here. This is my favorite belt because the leather is less stiff than most and allows for smaller adjustments.
