Olympic Lifting Clothes: A Full Training Outfit Guide

Olympic lifting clothes break into four functional layers: warm-up, training top, training bottom, and competition kit. Each layer has specific demands the others do not share. Here is the full outfit guide, what works for each layer, and how a gym can build a branded version of each tier through a single Pro Shop.

Layer 1: Warm-Up Apparel for Olympic Lifting

Warm-up apparel covers the time before the first working set and between heavy attempts. Demands: fast on, fast off, warm enough to keep muscles primed, light enough not to overheat in active warm-up.

• Crewneck sweatshirt: Bear Grips Perfect Soft Crewneck or Champion Performance Crewneck. Easy on and off, keeps the shoulders warm between snatch attempts.
• Zip-up hoodie: Bear Grips Zip-Up Hoodie or Gildan Classic Zip-Up Hoodie. Easier to manage than a pullover when you need to drop the layer fast between sets.
• Joggers or sweatpants: Independent Trading Co. midweight joggers or Cotton Heritage premium fleece joggers. Keeps legs warm during sub-maximal warm-up sets.
• Beanie: Yupoong Cuffed Winter Hat for cold-gym training. Keeps head warm during warm-up, comes off for working sets.

Layer 2: Training Top for Olympic Lifting Work Sets

The shirt you actually train in once warm. Demands: clears the bar across the front rack, allows full overhead range, soft hand against the chest, dries between sets.

• Cotton tee, slightly loose cut: Bear Grips Airlume Cotton Athletic Tee. The default training shirt.
• Triblend tee: Bella+Canvas Triblend or Next Level Triblend. Lighter weight, slightly more drape, ages well.
• Performance moisture-wicking tee: Sport-Tek Moisture-Wicking Tee. For hot-gym training and summer comp warm-up.
• Tank (men or women): Bella+Canvas men's tank or Next Level women's racerback. Maximum range, no bar contact issue. Hot weather and humid gyms.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Layer 3: Training Bottom for Olympic Lifting

Covered in depth in the olympic lifting shorts guide. Short version:

• Performance training shorts: Bear Grips Performance Training Shorts (5-inch) or Signature Athletic Shorts (7-inch). The default.
• Biker shorts (women): Bear Grips Signature Biker Shorts.
• Leggings (women): Bear Grips Signature Seamless Leggings or High-Waist Pocket Leggings.
• Avoid mesh shorts and basketball shorts for serious training. They bind at the hip and ride up at the bottom of a squat.

Layer 4: Competition Kit and What Federations Allow

Olympic weightlifting competition requires a singlet for the actual platform attempts. Under or around the singlet, what is allowed varies slightly by federation:

• Singlet: One-piece athletic singlet. Required on the platform for most federations. Cannot cover the elbows or knees during the lift.
• Underclothing: A close-fitting t-shirt or training tee can be worn under the singlet. Cannot have sleeves that cover the elbows.
• Compression shorts or briefs: Allowed under the singlet.
• Socks: Allowed and recommended for shin protection during deadlift pull from the floor.
• Knee sleeves and wrist wraps: Allowed per federation specs. Knee sleeves cannot cover anything but the knee.

Always check the specific federation's rulebook before competition. USAW, IWF, and various state and regional bodies all have small variations.

A Branded Custom Outfit for Your Gym

A Bear Grips Pro Shop can hold every tier of this outfit in one place. Open a free shop, add your tee, your hoodie or crewneck, your shorts or leggings, and your hat. Members order whatever tier they need. Athletes who do not own gym apparel walk out of one checkout with a full training kit. See the how to start an olympic lifting gym apparel shop guide for the setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What clothes should I wear for olympic lifting?

A four-layer outfit covers all olympic lifting needs: warm-up layer (crewneck or zip hoodie + joggers), training top (cotton or triblend tee, or tank in hot conditions), training bottom (performance shorts with four-way stretch), and competition kit (federation-required singlet over training tee and compression briefs).

Can I train in compression shirts for olympic lifting?

Compression shirts can ride up across the front rack during the catch and limit overhead range in the snatch. Most experienced lifters train in slightly loose cotton or triblend tees instead. Compression shorts or briefs under training shorts work well, but compression tops generally do not.

What can I wear under a weightlifting singlet at a meet?

Federation rules vary, but most allow a close-fitting t-shirt or training tee with sleeves that do not cover the elbows. Compression shorts or briefs are allowed underneath. Always check the specific federation rulebook before your meet. USAW, IWF, and state federations have small variations.