I have been lurking on here for probably close to 1 year and have decided to finally sign up.
I have started Stronglifts 5x5 in January.
Squat 175lbs
Deadlift 175lbs
OHP 65lbs
Bench 85lbs
Row 85lbs
All the lifts I started with just the bar pretty much so I have gained some strength but now I have a hard time going higher.
I want to to be able to squat 225lbs by December.
Before my 35th birthday (next year December) I want to have competed in a competition.
However, I don`t know where to start and how to go about it.
Can I do this on my own? Should I get a trainer?
Should I buy certain books?
There is just so much information out there and I have read bits and pieces but I am a little overwhelmed I guess.
Thanks for your input
Let me know if you need more info or if I forgot to mention anything important.
Welcome! I don’t think you need books or anything. I learned everything I know almost from online reading. Just read some of the older basic articles on here like the original 531 articles and anything from dave tate lol. Also checkout other sites like elitefts and jtsstrength(which has 3 great free ebooks just for signing up!!) Just find a basic program, I suggest 531 or a variant, and progress slow and focus on technique and consistency. Then you can start tweaking your programming, supplementation, and gear( a good belt and wraps atleast) once you are ready to progress
I actually did pretty good this morning at the gym
175lbs squat…and almost got the 5x5 (first one was only 3 reps…)
I think my main thing is, how do I go about competing?
I dont know anyone who is involved in this sport to ask on where to start to actually compete, etc.
I live close to Columbus, Ohio…maybe that helps for recommendations in regards to places to go/people to ask etc.
Kelly starlet’s becoming a supple leopard is definitely worth buying if you’re not a very experienced athlete or lifter.
Use it as a guide to learn more about YOUR body. Get creative with the mobility stuff, play it out and feel it. Just don’t let information overload get a hold of you.
However, my left food keeps cramping up now…
It happend once when I was deadlifting for about 10 minutes it wouldnt stop.
And than again last night sitting on couch.
Can it be the shoes I wear and that they are too old?
(Had them for years…they are some kind of adidas…no running shoe or anything…flat, no heal no cushion).
However, my left food keeps cramping up now…
It happend once when I was deadlifting for about 10 minutes it wouldnt stop.
And than again last night sitting on couch.
Can it be the shoes I wear and that they are too old?
(Had them for years…they are some kind of adidas…no running shoe or anything…flat, no heal no cushion).[/quote]
I got a cramp in the arch of one of my feet from squatting before, and it ended up being because I wasn’t sitting back on my heels enough, weight was coming forward and I was having to compensate. Just a thought.
[quote]Smurfette wrote:
I actually did pretty good this morning at the gym
175lbs squat…and almost got the 5x5 (first one was only 3 reps…)
I think my main thing is, how do I go about competing?
I dont know anyone who is involved in this sport to ask on where to start to actually compete, etc.
I live close to Columbus, Ohio…maybe that helps for recommendations in regards to places to go/people to ask etc.[/quote]
You can search for what area you want to compete in and what timeframe you want to compete. Then you can search the feds that are holding the meets to see if their rules match what you want. For example, do they use a monolift, is it drug tested or not, is the head allowed to come up in the bench, do you have to bench with your feet flat, all that kind of stuff.
Also you’re within an hour away from both westside and elitefts so I’d assume there would be plenty of quality meets.
Thank you guys for the feedback! I will look into all of the links and suggestions.
I think my issue is mostly being a girl, knowing what I want to do, but not being sure how to get there?!
My gym seems to have all the stuff I need but not the people to teach me how to.
I will ask on Tuesday if they actually know about any members competing in powerlifting…How hard can it be??
[quote]Smurfette wrote:
Thank you guys for the feedback! I will look into all of the links and suggestions.
I think my issue is mostly being a girl, knowing what I want to do, but not being sure how to get there?!
My gym seems to have all the stuff I need but not the people to teach me how to.
I will ask on Tuesday if they actually know about any members competing in powerlifting…How hard can it be??[/quote]
There shouldn’t be any issue with you being a woman competing in powerlifting. There are tons of us. We aren’t just competing either. We’re referees, meet directors and administrators.
I do, however, understand the confusion about making the leap into competing. I did my first meet in 2008 and had to do a bit of research. I found my federations’ provincial affiliate and looked at the list of clubs. I contacted a local club and trained with them. In hind site it was simple but at the time it seemed a bit scary. Now I’m president of that association
Just start with a bit of research and make a few phone calls. People are nothing but welcoming in this sport.
I’m not sure where you are so I can’t recommend a fed but my only advice is to not get hung up on which program you’re doing, how much you can lift, or knowing what to do on the day of the meet. I would just sign up for a local meet and go for it. We all start out somewhere and nobody expects anything out of you except to enjoy yourself.
[quote]Smurfette wrote:
I am 5’5 and 154lbs…
I kind of figured what it came down to was to just keep doing what I am doing
Are there any books you can recommend?[/quote]
Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe has been a revelation for me. I’ve been lifting for 10 or so months without anyone to show me the way, so I had to figure it out on my own (with lots of help from the internet, of course). I am not exaggerating when I say that I added 50 lbs to my squat work sets of 5 in less than two months by following the techniques laid out by Rippetoe.
Back on topic, I would highly advise buying that book even if you don’t want to do the program (it is very similar to Stronglifts anyway). The illustrations and explanations of the compound movements are very, very good.
i thought i come back to this topic and say hi again .-)
Squat 175lbs
Deadlift 175lbs
OHP 65lbs
Bench 85lbs
Row 85lbs
Above were the stats I gave in June of 2014…
today´s stats are:
squat 155lbs. urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i got up to 195 lbs but that was just above parallel and than on Christmas eve, i sprained my ankle so bad it still feels funky…so I took a break on the ankle and really just started again 4 weeks ago or so. But I think I am still not doing the right depth. I think I will look into Oly shoes here…
deadlift: 240lbs !!! i went from 185lbs when i started at my new gym in August to 240 lbs within 4 months!
OHP.not doing anymore
Bench…100lbs…this one is killing me, I am a weakling…
Row. not doing anymore
The reason why I am not doing these two lifts anymore is, I went from doing 5x5 to doing more of a Westside program.
I personally like this one better, because it includes assistance and I feel it helps me in improving the 3 main lifts.
Anyways, I just wanted to say hi again and I plan on doing a competition sometime in the fall…Although, I would like to do a “non-offical one”. There is one in Newark, Ohio on March 28 but I have a final paper to deliver that Saturday so I wont be able to go.
Anyone any idea on other “nonoffical” meets in the Columbus area?
Smurfette!?!
Under “Competition” they list meets close(ish) to Columbus and it looks like they prefer drug tested feds and raw competitions for their members, both of these aspects might appeal to you.
You might even find like minded individuals with whom to commiserate.
Best of luck to you.
Right now they list:
Upcoming sanctioned meets
4/18/2015 USAPL â??Battle of the Great Lakesâ?? (Copley, OH)
7/12/2015 2015 USAPL Ohio State Championships (Columbus, OH)
10/15-10/18/2015 USAPL Raw Nationals (Scranton, PA)
