I competed more in powerlifting then I did bodybuilding, but yet I cannot explain the use of assistance. I competed raw only.
I mean if your using all that shit to help you lift something, you obviously can't lift it. These knuckleheads prolly run around saying how they bench 900 pounds, when in reality, with none of that shit on, and doing a proper bench press, 600 would prolly crush them. Not that 600 isn't impressive, but engineers should be the best powerlifters by this logic.
Who can build the smallest, strongest crane and lift more weight... It's the same thing.