right now you just need to get a good gym and a good program, in that order.
I had the same question as to how to get started, and well I went to powerliftingwatch.com and found a meet coming up, and I will be competing July 18th at the CA state games. checked all the rules with the federation and signed up. I figure the only way to find out all about it, and if I will like it is to just jump in and see what happens.
Do it man.
I recommend you try to link up with someone that competes locally and/or actually going and watchng a meet. I think this will help you a lot in terms of getting familiar with how meets work. Yeah- I mean- you can read the rule book- that’ll help- but so much is not in the rule book. Also, there is no subsitute for actaully seeing they mean. Get familiar with the rules of performance, the nomenclature (the first time I heard I was “on deck”- I had no clue what that meant), and the general flow of the meet (warm-ups, flights, when to wrap your knees etc.). I can’t tell you how many times I have sene a first meet lifter get creamed on stuff that don’t matter in the gym- like not waiting for a pressing command on bench, jumping the squat command, etc.- all pretty easy things to get right.
Don’t sweat your numbers. Competing will usually improve your numbers.
I knew you guys would come through on some good info! I figured that I would need an actual program to follow as I have just been doing routines with exercises I pick up on this site and else where. Typical body part split stuff.
Program: I’m thinking of starting with Sheiko, because it is so different than what I have ever done that I would definitely know I was training. Plus from my experience, my body responds to greater volume. And I need lots of practice with my squat and DL form.
Gym: The gym I’m at now is Montesano Fitness and there are a very few big guys and they all seem recreational but I may be going at the wrong hours. I’ll ask the manager if she knows anyone. Also, I am starting a new job in a few weeks up in Tumwater that has a gym across the street, I’ll have to check that place out.
Meet: Checked powerliftingwatch.com, and there is a WABDL meet in Olympia on August 22nd. I will definitely try and make it there. Like you said, Pinto, I don’t know anything about waiting for signals and pausing and all the other rules that come with it.
Pretty sure you can find gyms with powerliftingwatch.com, too.
Spending time around like-minded individuals is the key.
Hell, it isn’t hard to be the strongest guy in a normal gym, but to be the strongest in some of the dungeon gyms I’ve trained in would mean you were really fuckin’ strong.
Dude find a gym that will let you deadlift, and squat, find a workout partner, or get in with a group of guys. I found a team, so yeah, that really helps, especially if theyre older and have more experience. If you dont find a group or something along those lines, find a program, but dont ask me for that because I dont follow one. Train for a while and once you feel comfortable, find a meet nearby!
Find a local powerlifting club/gym. Go to it, find people to mentor you, progress, compete.
The reason for this is two fold, environment and competitive experience
Being in an environment with experienced individuals will help you progress and correct you if you’re developing bad habits. Also being in an environment full of like minded individuals (competitive strength athletes) will drive you harder than ever.
Don’t worry about what you’re totaling now. I’m sure many will agree that meet/competition experience is invaluable, and regardless of current total the sooner you participate in one the better. You will learn a ton and meet lots of great people.
Seek out experienced people and learn from them
Best of luck!
[quote]apwsearch wrote:
Like Malinda said, get in touch with the state chairs for the federation(s) you are interested and start digging around. I know there is a Gold’s in Spokane where Priscilla Ribic used to train. I think there are still a few PL’s around there. Not real familiar with WA geography so this may or may not be helpful.
The bottom line is the answer to the question, “How do I get started in Powerlifting?” Is, “Do a meet.”
It may sound trite but I know of no lifter I have ever had contact with that didn’t meet people and gain some traction in the PL community which helped them on this journey.
Nobody will even notice what you lift the first time out. They will notice you had the sack to show up and that you did your best that day.
There are lots of resources out there for training. If you PM me, I would be happy to help you out a little.[/quote]
Agreed. Plus, at the meet you will find out where everyone is training. You may end up training with some beast in his garage and we’ll be reading about you in PLUSA in a few years.
When I started, I tripped over powerliftingwatch.com, found a meet and got started. There are no powerlifters at my gym. No biggie.
Thanks for all the input. I have made progress since I started this thread. I am working on my first cycle curtesy of apwsearch. I have also contacted Gus Rethwisch of the WABDL about an upcoming meet on August 22nd. Initially I told him I just wanted to attend but he encouraged me to compete. Said that at my weight class I would probably be the only one lifting raw and therfore would get first place 
Apparently most people are equiped in that league.
What do you guys think? Go for it and compete or just go check it out?
Go lift!!!
You will learn FAR more actually competing than watching.
[quote] Matt wrote:
Go lift!!!
You will learn FAR more actually competing than watching.[/quote]
Agreed. I’m not going to lie to you. You will really enjoy competing and being a part of it.
Check this out: www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/4421
Three meets coming up now to the end of the year. Pick one. Train for it and go lift. I’d go to one that had a RAW or unequipped division for your first meet. If you like it, start investigating and training in gear or NOT. Let’s not get that going again.
sb
Megafly, just get in there and get a meet under your belt. I just did my first one, and did really well, and had a lot of fun.