If I had to pick just one bit of gear that I think every serious lifter should be using, it'd be a good, proper fitting lifting belt. When you use one of those things properly, it really teaches you how to do proper bracing and also keeps you safe under heavy loads. The long term benefit of using a belt is much more than just safety it's actually about consistency. When you can really get your core working properly, you can train harder without putting yourself at risk of unnecessary fatigue or other injuries. I only recommend introducing a belt once someone has got the hang of using their core without one, though. And I reckon it's also worth remembering that the belt should be amplifying good movement not just helping to cover up bad ones. When it comes to gear, it's all about the timing, rather than the actual gear itself.
One piece of gear: Knee sleeves As someone who works predominantly with neurodivergent and hypermobile lifters, knee sleeves are my go-to recommendation. They provide compression, proprioceptive feedback, and warmth; three things that are crucial for people who may struggle with joint stability or body awareness. For hypermobile individuals especially, the compression helps provide external stability where their connective tissue doesn't. And for neurodivergent lifters, that consistent sensory input helps with spatial awareness and confidence in movement patterns. The biggest long-term benefit I see is injury prevention through improved proprioception. When lifters with hypermobility get consistent feedback about where their joints are in space, they develop better movement patterns. The sleeves act as a training tool, not just a support mechanism. Over time, people build strength in the right ranges and learn what stable positions actually feel like. I introduce knee sleeves early for hypermobile and neurodivergent clients. Traditional coaching says "earn your gear," but that approach doesn't work for bodies that lack inherent joint stability or struggle with proprioceptive feedback. For neurotypical, non-hypermobile lifters, I'll introduce them when we're increasing volume or intensity, or if someone's recovering from a minor knee issue. The key is teaching people that sleeves are a tool for better performance and longevity, not a crutch.