[quote]PeteS wrote:
jjackkrash wrote:
LittleStrick wrote:
I’ve been thinking about openers as well, even though I am not slated for a meet. What is the accepted wisdom for openers and lifts in general? Do people even plan out all 3 of there lifts prior to? or do they wing it once they are there and see how they feel?
My initial thought was, assuming a tested 1RM of say 215#, on bench, something like…
1st - 185#
2nd - 205# or 210#
3rd - 220# or 225#, depending on how you feel.
I have been reading up on this, and it sounds like you want your opener to be a weight you could hit for a triple with the flu, your second should be something that you consider respectable and probably not a PR, and your third a tie for a PR or better or a weight that you would need to win the competition or move up a spot, etc. Makes sense.
Everyone seems to agree that missing your opener is really bad, and that shit happens that you don’t expect in meets, so make sure its a very safe weight.
This is all correct. With my humble experience all sorts of shit can happen. Also, sometimes because of the kind of bar used (for instance the Q-Bar is much more rigid than your average home/gym bench bar), the type of plates (many feds use kilo plates, and 100lb plates move differently than 45s), always really lowball your opener.
For me, I have develope stage fright. Nothing like walking out to squat at 9 a.m. in a revealing singlet to see 100 people looking at you.
[/quote]
Good stuff Pete. Thanks. And I am right there with you. Pushing the weights is the least of my concerns. Getting my introverted, Aspie self onto a platform in front of a bunch of strangers is what stresses me.
[quote]PeteS wrote:
jjackkrash wrote:
LittleStrick wrote:
I’ve been thinking about openers as well, even though I am not slated for a meet. What is the accepted wisdom for openers and lifts in general? Do people even plan out all 3 of there lifts prior to? or do they wing it once they are there and see how they feel?
My initial thought was, assuming a tested 1RM of say 215#, on bench, something like…
1st - 185#
2nd - 205# or 210#
3rd - 220# or 225#, depending on how you feel.
I have been reading up on this, and it sounds like you want your opener to be a weight you could hit for a triple with the flu, your second should be something that you consider respectable and probably not a PR, and your third a tie for a PR or better or a weight that you would need to win the competition or move up a spot, etc. Makes sense.
Everyone seems to agree that missing your opener is really bad, and that shit happens that you don’t expect in meets, so make sure its a very safe weight.
This is all correct. With my humble experience all sorts of shit can happen. Also, sometimes because of the kind of bar used (for instance the Q-Bar is much more rigid than your average home/gym bench bar), the type of plates (many feds use kilo plates, and 100lb plates move differently than 45s), always really lowball your opener.
For me, I have develope stage fright. Nothing like walking out to squat at 9 a.m. in a revealing singlet to see 100 people looking at you.
[/quote]
It’s true about changing equipment conditions. My first comp I got used to benching on a hard, low foam bench in training. At the comp they had this pillow-covered plank - really deep foam - for a bench (I assume to make it comfy for the bigger guys pushing real weight) but I couldn’t get stable. Screwed my benchiness bad and I bombed out. And I chose my opener too high. Way too high. And the moon got in my eyes.
probably shouldn’t have done this right after scraping the ice. upper body was fatigued already, so I’m happy with the 135 even though it went up pretty slow.
probably shouldn’t have done this right after scraping the ice. upper body was fatigued already, so I’m happy with the 135 even though it went up pretty slow.[/quote]
Great damn pressing. Your hand spacing was a little closer in on the 135 and I think that gave you that little extra omp. Looked kind of like a grip and rip, overhead. There’s more there. Wider staggered stance and about hands just a little more in and you’ve got 155. Garonteed.
Got out of a 2.5 hour divorce mediation session and just could not see myself testing squats tonite. So I’m having a few beers instead, tomorrow is another day.