A little less than two years ago, I decided to use chalk when I did deadlifts. There was a guy installing some equipment in the gym I was using, so I asked him if his company sold chalk. He said they only sell gym equipment, but suggested buying some chalk at a rock climbing place not too far away, which I did.

This rock climbing chalk made a big difference in my deadlift; however, I didn’t see the need for chalk on my other lifts. This may surprise you, but you have to understand that I’ve only trained in dry central Alberta, and usually in well air-conditioned gyms.

This was not the case for three weeks this last summer. I spent almost a week in Michigan and two in southern Ontario. Ontario wasn’t too bad, but Michigan was hot and humid like nothing I’ve experienced before.

The pool of sweat I made while warming up was still there when I was cooling down. I had to use chalk on all my lifts, and the rock climbing chalk I had was woefully inadequate, especially for deadlift.

I now know why powerlifters use so much chalk on all their lifts. I also know the difference between rock climbing chalk and gym chalk.