Hey, this is my first post on this site but ive been browsing for a couple months. I first came here to get in shape using the VD. I’m 3 days away from the end of my VD and i am 159lbs at 5’6. I started out at 175 and quite chubby. Now i have some mass and i am interested in the sport of powerlifting.
My plan is to compete in the 165 class. As of now my max bench is 265 and i just started doing deadlifts and squats last week. I had a tib/fib fracture 3 years ago and ive been hesitant to do heavy weights but i plan on getting to at least 300lbs in both within the next month.
If i do plan on entering a competition, how many days before the meet should i stop lifting heavy and what would i do in those last few days before the meet?
2)In meets where it doesnt say “raw” will i need to get a bench shirt, squat suit etc to have a chance?
and any other advice is appreciated. thanks.
[quote]megah_man wrote:
Hey, this is my first post on this site but ive been browsing for a couple months. I first came here to get in shape using the VD. I’m 3 days away from the end of my VD and i am 159lbs at 5’6. I started out at 175 and quite chubby. Now i have some mass and i am interested in the sport of powerlifting.
My plan is to compete in the 165 class. As of now my max bench is 265 and i just started doing deadlifts and squats last week. I had a tib/fib fracture 3 years ago and ive been hesitant to do heavy weights but i plan on getting to at least 300lbs in both within the next month.
If i do plan on entering a competition, how many days before the meet should i stop lifting heavy and what would i do in those last few days before the meet?
2)In meets where it doesnt say “raw” will i need to get a bench shirt, squat suit etc to have a chance?
and any other advice is appreciated. thanks.[/quote]
Hey man Dave Tate’s site www.elitefts.com has a book that covers how to train/ prepare for your first meet. Even includes things like when to suit up and get chalk. Check it out. Good luck!
[quote]EnTransit wrote:
Well, if you are competing in the 165 class, then I doubt anyone in your class will be using a shirt.
Listen to Dave Tates Doubletap.[/quote]
yeah because no one in the lighter weight classes lifts equiped…
as far as if you have to have a bench shirt/squat suit to be competitive at a meet that allows it, it just depends on the quality of lifters that show up to the meet. If its a small local meet chances are you won’t have a ton of super strong people equiped or not.
Really though you should be thinking are you ready to make the jump to equiped lifting. You have been squating/deadlifting for a week so obviously you can go along way still without equipment. You must decide what your ready for physicly and mentally. If you still have alot of improvement to make and need to spend time just mastering the lifts forget equipment. Also you need the time/resources to learn to use the equipment and train to maximize its benifits.
if your eating for power and just started doing squats and deadlifts then you will put on alot of muscle you could put on 6 pounds of muscle in just 3-4 weeks but you would gain some fat to try bulking up to 200 and droping back down to 190 or 180 that way you could focus on your lifts plus whats better than getting stronger and eating what you want
[quote]n3wb wrote:
if your eating for power and just started doing squats and deadlifts then you will put on alot of muscle you could put on 6 pounds of muscle in just 3-4 weeks but you would gain some fat to try bulking up to 200 and droping back down to 190 or 180 that way you could focus on your lifts plus whats better than getting stronger and eating what you want[/quote]
This sounds like a good idea. I think i might do this, and if im not ready by october, i am almost positive i should be ready by december.
A 265# raw benchpress @ 165# is a very respectable lift for someone who hasn’t trained very long, so I think you’ll do fine. I’d lift in the raw/novice division if they have one and if you don’t have a shirt. I’ve competed at 148# and 165# and in every meet, everyone was lifting equipped with the exception of a bench contest at the local mall. I agree with JNeves in that you still have a ways to go getting used to the lifts so maybe it’s too early to spend a bunch of money on equipment that you’ll probably quickly outgrow. The one purchase I would make is a good belt. Good luck!
[quote]TornadoTommy wrote:
A 265# raw benchpress @ 165# is a very respectable lift for someone who hasn’t trained very long, so I think you’ll do fine. I’d lift in the raw/novice division if they have one and if you don’t have a shirt. I’ve competed at 148# and 165# and in every meet, everyone was lifting equipped with the exception of a bench contest at the local mall. I agree with JNeves in that you still have a ways to go getting used to the lifts so maybe it’s too early to spend a bunch of money on equipment that you’ll probably quickly outgrow. The one purchase I would make is a good belt. Good luck![/quote]
I think my plan will be to ease off the VD for a week then bulk up just to 170 and then cut to 165 and try to maintain it. My goal is to be ready for the december meet and have a bench in the 350 range, DL and squat in the 400 range. And if i find myself enjoying the sport, then i may invest in some equipment, but until then ill stay away for now.
Ive already read some articles on elitefts.com about people first time at a PL meet and im pretty excited. Only problem is i dont know anyone around my area who PL’s so ill be going at it alone.