Weightlifting Shoes

Do me a favor, stand up from your desk and squat down. Now rise up onto the balls of your feet, like a catcher in baseball (don't you dare mention the Cardinals.) Comfy, right? Your torso is straight up and down and you feel like you could hang out all day. Don't hang out all day, don't even squat like that very often, but do realize the lesson it's teaching us. With our heels elevated (at degrees much less than that as well) we are able to squat more comfortably and keep our torso vertical- one of the keys to successful olympic weightlifting (this is due to optimized ankle mobility/placement, primarily.)  

GET OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING SHOES ASAP. I know they're kind of expensive, but they last a long time and they're going to change your life for the better. I see 23 people a day whos squat would benefit hugely from a good pair of shoes.

Which brand should I buy? I'm not going to tell you, no company is giving me money to sell their shoes (not that I am averse to the idea.) I've never heard anyone speak strongly against any particular brand. I wear old school Adidas shoes, Reebok makes some, Rogue sells all kinds of brands. The only store I know of that sells them live in the city is Paragon sports just north of Union Square.