Long time follower of this site. Has helped me progress a ton with lifting and programming. Finally decided to make an account and start posting.
A little background about myself.
I’m currently a senior in college. Played three years of college football as a kicker (I know, I know lol), but suffered from two pulled groins and a groin tear and decided that route wasn’t for me. Have only been able to squat again for just under a year now with minimal pain.
Going into this meet I had no idea what to expect and really just wanted to do a meet so I could say I did one. I signed up for a 100% Raw meet close to my location and felt it was ran well, at least for my first experience. I ate my way as close to 198 as I could, weighing 196.7 at weigh-ins. Wanted a 400lb squat but my nerves were pretty bad going into squats so I played conservative and stuck with a third attempt of 396.
My bench has just been frustrating for the past two years. I paused 275 the week before this meet and thought I had 280 in me but took to big of a jump and got greedy, trying 281 instead of 275. I’ve never had a deadlift day like I did at the meet as the heaviest I had ever pulled in training was 405. Overall was an awesome experience and am already looking to find another in the fall after I have a job and am settled somewhere.
Moving forward I think I’m going to take some time and focus on front squats and beltless low-bar squats, wide grip bench and close-grip bench, and beltless deadlifts with more sumo pulls as an accessory. I’m also currently incorporating some running and slightly watching I don’t eat complete junk preparing for a cruise that’s after graduation, not ideal for powerlifting I know, but taking it as a way to come back bigger in the 198lb class and eventually become competitive in meets.
Any criticism or advice is greatly appreciated, especially for my bench.
Thanks,
Mike
[quote]msim198 wrote:
Long time follower of this site. Has helped me progress a ton with lifting and programming. Finally decided to make an account and start posting.
A little background about myself.
I’m currently a senior in college. Played three years of college football as a kicker (I know, I know lol), but suffered from two pulled groins and a groin tear and decided that route wasn’t for me. Have only been able to squat again for just under a year now with minimal pain.
Going into this meet I had no idea what to expect and really just wanted to do a meet so I could say I did one. I signed up for a 100% Raw meet close to my location and felt it was ran well, at least for my first experience. I ate my way as close to 198 as I could, weighing 196.7 at weigh-ins. Wanted a 400lb squat but my nerves were pretty bad going into squats so I played conservative and stuck with a third attempt of 396.
My bench has just been frustrating for the past two years. I paused 275 the week before this meet and thought I had 280 in me but took to big of a jump and got greedy, trying 281 instead of 275. I’ve never had a deadlift day like I did at the meet as the heaviest I had ever pulled in training was 405. Overall was an awesome experience and am already looking to find another in the fall after I have a job and am settled somewhere.
Moving forward I think I’m going to take some time and focus on front squats and beltless low-bar squats, wide grip bench and close-grip bench, and beltless deadlifts with more sumo pulls as an accessory. I’m also currently incorporating some running and slightly watching I don’t eat complete junk preparing for a cruise that’s after graduation, not ideal for powerlifting I know, but taking it as a way to come back bigger in the 198lb class and eventually become competitive in meets.
Any criticism or advice is greatly appreciated, especially for my bench.
Thanks,
Mike
[quote]msim198 wrote:
Any criticism or advice is greatly appreciated, especially for my bench.
Thanks,
Mike[/quote]
Here’s a piece of advice, you’re actually supposed to try on your deadlifts you know Great job at your first meet
Great job at your first meet