The gear I trust.
Nothing else.
Every product on this page has been independently purchased, tested in training, and used in competition by Coach Len Nuanez — two-time IPL World Champion and three-time World Championship medalist.
100% Independent. Zero Sponsorships.
I have no sponsorships, affiliate deals, or free products from any company on this list. Every item was purchased with my own money and tested through years of training and competition. These recommendations are based purely on performance — what actually works when the bar is loaded and the platform is real.
— Coach Len Nuanez
A7 Bar Grip Shirts & IPL Approved Gear
“A7 is what I wear on the platform and in training. Their Bar Grip technology isn't a gimmick — the shirt grips the bar during squats so it doesn't slide on your back. That matters when you're handling heavy loads and can't afford the bar shifting mid-rep.”
— Coach Len, personally purchased & tested
Why This Product
- IPL-approved for competition — no guessing at weigh-ins
- Bar Grip technology provides real traction under heavy squats
- Built to last through hundreds of training sessions
- Designed by lifters who actually compete
Who It's For
Any serious lifter who competes or trains heavy squats. If you've ever had a bar slide on a max attempt, you understand why this matters.
What It Replaces
Generic cotton t-shirts that bunch up, slide, and offer zero grip under a loaded barbell.
Texas Power Bar
“The Texas Power Bar is the gold standard for a reason. Aggressive knurling that locks into your hands without tearing them apart. Minimal whip — exactly what you want for the Big 3. This is the bar I've trained and competed with for years. When I step on the platform, I want the bar to feel like an extension of my body. The Texas Power Bar delivers that every single time.”
— Coach Len, personally purchased & tested
Why This Product
- Aggressive center knurling for squat stability
- Minimal shaft flex — critical for heavy bench and deadlift precision
- Made in the USA with decades of proven durability
- The standard bar at most serious powerlifting gyms worldwide
Who It's For
Powerlifters and serious strength athletes who need a bar that performs identically at 135 and 600+. If you're building a home gym or outfitting a serious training facility, this is the first piece of equipment you buy.
What It Replaces
Commercial gym barbells with smooth knurling, excessive whip, and inconsistent spin that compromise your setup on every lift.
Bench Daddy Green 400 Series Wrist Wraps
“Most wrist wraps on the market are an afterthought — thin Velcro that peels mid-set and loose loops that don't actually lock your wrist in place. The Bench Daddy Green 400 Series is a different animal. Premium 6-inch industrial Velcro that stays put under heavy loads, and their patent-pending dual double finger loop creates a tighter cast around each wrist than anything else I've used. When I'm pressing heavy, I need my wrists locked in — no shifting, no readjusting between sets. These deliver.”
— Coach Len, personally purchased & tested
Why This Product
- Patent-pending dual double finger loop for a tighter, more secure cast
- Premium 6-inch 100% industrial Velcro — stays locked under max loads
- Multiple length options (12" to 39") for customized support
- Rated 3/5 stiffness — the most popular balance of support and mobility
Who It's For
Any lifter who presses heavy — bench, overhead, or both. Especially important for lifters with wrist mobility issues or anyone handling loads where wrist stability is the difference between a confident press and a missed rep.
What It Replaces
Cheap wrist wraps with weak Velcro that peels under tension, single finger loops that slip, and generic wraps that offer inconsistent support from set to set.
New Age Performance 5DS Mouthpiece
“Most coaches won't talk about this. I will. The New Age 5DS mouthpiece optimizes jaw alignment to improve force production, breathing, and recovery between sets. Sounds like science fiction until you try it. I noticed the difference in my bracing on heavy squats within the first session. This isn't a mouthguard — it's a performance tool.”
— Coach Len, personally purchased & tested
Why This Product
- Designed for force production, not just dental protection
- Improves jaw alignment for better bracing and breathing under load
- Thin, low-profile design that doesn't interfere with coaching cues
- Backed by research on neuromuscular jaw positioning
Who It's For
Any lifter who braces hard under heavy loads. Especially relevant for squats and deadlifts where intra-abdominal pressure and breathing mechanics are the difference between a made lift and a miss.
What It Replaces
Clenching your jaw on max attempts with nothing, or using a bulky sports mouthguard that restricts breathing and feels like chewing on a tire.
Avancus Apex Power High Top
“I've gone through every major lifting shoe on the market. The Avancus Apex Power High Top is what I compete in now. The heel height is dialed for powerlifting-specific mechanics, the ankle support is legitimate without restricting mobility, and the sole is dead flat where it needs to be. These shoes don't compress under heavy loads — period.”
— Coach Len, personally purchased & tested
Why This Product
- Engineered heel height specifically for powerlifting squat mechanics
- High-top design provides real ankle support without mobility restriction
- Incompressible sole — no energy leak under maximal loads
- Premium build quality that holds up through heavy training cycles
Who It's For
Competitive powerlifters and serious squatters who need a shoe that performs at 90%+ loads. If you're still squatting in running shoes or Chuck Taylors, this is the upgrade that will change your setup immediately.
What It Replaces
Running shoes (compressible, unstable), Chuck Taylors (flat but zero support), and budget lifting shoes that break down after a few months of real training.
This list will grow as I continue testing equipment that meets the standard. If it's not on this page, I either haven't tested it long enough or it didn't make the cut.
Questions about gear? Reach out at len@wfbarbellclub.com