It seems there are quiet a few guys and girls who have upcoming meets or are planning their first meet. This is an attempt to centralize everyone who actually spends time on the platform and possibly provide motivation for some of those who have not taken the plunge. Make sure you specify Raw or Equipped, weight class, full/push-pull/bench-only, and federation. Not for debate, but to help advise.
Who has competed recently? Who is looking for help with their first meet? And, who is stepping on the platform soon?
I am planning on doing an SPF meet in Russellville, AR on the 21st of November. I will be competing in the 275lb/125kg raw division. I’m debating on whether or not to wear knee wraps. I will decide on my openers after next week, but I am leaning towards 515/370/500.
Great Idea my man. I will be monitoring this thread!
I ask this question a lot. When opening with suck a heavy amount on squat, how much does that take out of you for maximum effort on the other lifts?
For example, at my last meet, there were guys opening with 500+ on squat but bombing on their other lifts. Also, in the warmup area, some guys were telling me there were beat down from the squat and don’t have too much left for the DL.
[quote]SergeantQ wrote:
Great Idea my man. I will be monitoring this thread!
I ask this question a lot. When opening with suck a heavy amount on squat, how much does that take out of you for maximum effort on the other lifts?
For example, at my last meet, there were guys opening with 500+ on squat but bombing on their other lifts. Also, in the warmup area, some guys were telling me there were beat down from the squat and don’t have too much left for the DL.[/quote]
For me, I stick with the “opener is the last warmup rule”. So, it’s a weight that won’t give me too many issues. I have seen those guys bombing on squat and I can’t imagine how bad that would suck.
As for the beat down from the squat part, sometimes that has to do with how one spends their time between lifts and flights. I am really talkative before and after the meet. During the meet, I sit in a corner usually and eat and drink. I don’t spend too much time walking or standing. Sometimes people will meander over to me and we will talk about training and whatnot, but food and water are my main focus. If I eat and drink enough, I am good for 8 solid lifts. I haven’t hit the 9th one yet.
I’ll be stepping on the platform this Saturday in South Alabama, APA’s Irontoberfest. I’ll be competing in the 181, raw division. Plan is to open 475/335/525.
To SergeantQ…
You want to nail your openers, no sweat. Some people will say to use a weight that you can triple in training. After a couple meets, you will be able to pinpoint your best openers a little better. The idea is to stay in the competition. If you bomb out, what was the point of all that training?
One of my training partners, who has done this for a long time, says to open with something you can nail with your eyes closed, second lift is for PR’s, and third is to win the meet.
I’ll be stepping on the platform this Saturday in South Alabama, APA’s Irontoberfest. I’ll be competing in the 181, raw division. Plan is to open 475/335/525.
[/quote]
Good luck, man. Make sure you get some good video.
[quote]SergeantQ wrote:
Great Idea my man. I will be monitoring this thread!
I ask this question a lot. When opening with suck a heavy amount on squat, how much does that take out of you for maximum effort on the other lifts?
For example, at my last meet, there were guys opening with 500+ on squat but bombing on their other lifts. Also, in the warmup area, some guys were telling me there were beat down from the squat and don’t have too much left for the DL.[/quote]
Well, it always takes more energy to miss a lift than make it.
In other words, even if you complete the lift but get it turned down you are hurting, especially in the squat which for 99% of people is the most draining lift emotionally and physically.
This is why there are push/pull meets.
If you are hearing that in the context of a guy complaining that their benches in the meet suffered as opposed to benching in the gym without having squatted prior (like most people) I feel it is a likely a valid complaint and they need to temper their bench attempt selection accordingly. I always feel like it is best to pick a cake bench opener and then swing for the fences on the 3rd if things are clicking.
If this is a general complaint then IMO, they need to increase their conditioning and work capacity.
Many meets are won on a lifter’s ability to complete a 3rd pull so you always have to be mindful of having enough in the tank.
This comes from a combination of appropriate training volume, effective taper, and good overall conditioning.
This is very convenient, as I’m entering my first meet(raw and full) the second week of December, so I will definitely be checking back often to get as much info as possible!
Just as a side note: I finally stopped pussy-footing around and switched gyms. Old gym was more of a fitness type place. New gym is where they hold the competitions and people have been competing for a long time. So lot’s of opportunity for coaching and training advice.
I’m planning to do the Colorado State Championships/USAPL American Open the first week of December. I have no idea what I’m going to do, raw/equipped or whatever. I’ll still be in the 181s (sorry, Firebug). I’ve been sick and dealing with houseguests for weeks and feel really out of it, so I might just go raw and have fun.
I’ll be doing our Provincial championships at some point in January. It will be my first meet since the end of August. I’m moving up from 56kg to 60kg. My last two meets I bombed on squats and it’s true what they say. It sucks large ass. My strategy for provincials is to open squat embarrassingly light, get on the board and get a total.
[quote]undesired08 wrote:
It seems there are quiet a few guys and girls who have upcoming meets or are planning their first meet. This is an attempt to centralize everyone who actually spends time on the platform and possibly provide motivation for some of those who have not taken the plunge. Make sure you specify Raw or Equipped, weight class, full/push-pull/bench-only, and federation. Not for debate, but to help advise.
Who has competed recently? Who is looking for help with their first meet? And, who is stepping on the platform soon?
I am planning on doing an SPF meet in Russellville, AR on the 21st of November. I will be competing in the 275lb/125kg raw division. I’m debating on whether or not to wear knee wraps. I will decide on my openers after next week, but I am leaning towards 515/370/500.[/quote]
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
I’m planning to do the Colorado State Championships/USAPL American Open the first week of December. I have no idea what I’m going to do, raw/equipped or whatever. I’ll still be in the 181s (sorry, Firebug). I’ve been sick and dealing with houseguests for weeks and feel really out of it, so I might just go raw and have fun.[/quote]
First, that is one of the scariest avatar’s out right now, pmpm. Second, I know you usually compete with gear, but have you ever competed raw before?
[quote]undesired08 wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
I’m planning to do the Colorado State Championships/USAPL American Open the first week of December. I have no idea what I’m going to do, raw/equipped or whatever. I’ll still be in the 181s (sorry, Firebug). I’ve been sick and dealing with houseguests for weeks and feel really out of it, so I might just go raw and have fun.
First, that is one of the scariest avatar’s out right now, pmpm. Second, I know you usually compete with gear, but have you ever competed raw before?[/quote]
Glad I was able to scare you.
Yes, I competed raw in three meets from 12/07 - 07/08 (including Raw Nats), and then moved to gear for 09/08 (Push/Pull Nats), 12/08, 02/09, and 08/09. I would tell any newbie who is looking to compete to start out raw, it gives you a good idea of how the meets go and your basic strength without the complication of gear. Even with my love of gear, I like going raw occasionally just to keep me honest. Raw Nats is in Denver next summer, and I’ll probably do it unless I do the Pan Ams again.
[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
I’ll be doing our Provincial championships at some point in January. It will be my first meet since the end of August. I’m moving up from 56kg to 60kg. My last two meets I bombed on squats and it’s true what they say. It sucks large ass. My strategy for provincials is to open squat embarrassingly light, get on the board and get a total.[/quote]
That’s a good plan, just let the ego go on the first lift and then show them what you can do! In my first meet, another new lifter bombed out on squats. The worst part was he drove 500 miles to compete. The meet director was cool enough to let him do bench and dead’s, even though he wouldn’t receive a total.
DixiesFinest- Sweet. I will probably talk to the Top Hogs and do some loading or spotting for that one. I would love to do it, but I don’t have that kind of turnaround time between meets. I look forward to seeing you there.
Question regarding weight classes. If I weigh 165 but on contest day I weigh 159 does that mean I go down to the 150 level or will I compete at 165 still?
I notice some raw contests don’t allow belts foe dead lift or knee wraps for squats. Is that common or do most of them allow them. I have many more questions as I am new to this but I love it and am glad this topic exists. I am in VA and there are a few local events happening in the next 12 months.
[quote]Pirate12 wrote:
Question regarding weight classes. If I weigh 165 but on contest day I weigh 159 does that mean I go down to the 150 level or will I compete at 165 still?
I notice some raw contests don’t allow belts foe dead lift or knee wraps for squats. Is that common or do most of them allow them. I have many more questions as I am new to this but I love it and am glad this topic exists. I am in VA and there are a few local events happening in the next 12 months.[/quote]
Equipment allowed depends on the federation. I don’t believe there is a federation that doesn’t allow belts. Knee and wrist wraps, yes some feds don’t allow.
As far as the weight class, what you weigh on that day, at that time, is all that matters. The weight class is the MOST you can weigh. So, if you weigh in at 166, then you would compete in the 181 weight class. If you weigh in at 165 or below, you will be in the 165’s. Since this is your first meet, don’t worry about making weight. Just get the experience first, then you can see what you need to plan for in the second meet and so on.
Edit: Pretty much all feds have a website, so do some research on the one’s that suit your needs.
[quote]undesired08 wrote:
ouroboro_s wrote:
I’ll be doing our Provincial championships at some point in January. It will be my first meet since the end of August. I’m moving up from 56kg to 60kg. My last two meets I bombed on squats and it’s true what they say. It sucks large ass. My strategy for provincials is to open squat embarrassingly light, get on the board and get a total.
That’s a good plan, just let the ego go on the first lift and then show them what you can do! In my first meet, another new lifter bombed out on squats. The worst part was he drove 500 miles to compete. The meet director was cool enough to let him do bench and dead’s, even though he wouldn’t receive a total.[/quote]
It would for sure suck at a first meet and make it tough to get out again. I ended up staying at too low a weight class because I was chasing a number of national records in that class. I ended up worn out and it kicked my ass. Now I’m getting fat and not worrying about records…for now:)
[quote]undesired08 wrote:
It seems there are quiet a few guys and girls who have upcoming meets or are planning their first meet. This is an attempt to centralize everyone who actually spends time on the platform and possibly provide motivation for some of those who have not taken the plunge. Make sure you specify Raw or Equipped, weight class, full/push-pull/bench-only, and federation. Not for debate, but to help advise.
Who has competed recently? Who is looking for help with their first meet? And, who is stepping on the platform soon?
I am planning on doing an SPF meet in Russellville, AR on the 21st of November. I will be competing in the 275lb/125kg raw division. I’m debating on whether or not to wear knee wraps. I will decide on my openers after next week, but I am leaning towards 515/370/500.[/quote]
I will be competing on NOVEMBER 8th! In the !00%Raw/APF Federations.
I am Female, 5’2, hoping to drop into the 148lb weight class.
Attempting to:
Bench 200
Squat 285
Deadlift 330
January 30, 2010 -RAW UNITY in Tampa, FL will be my next meet after that.
I’m doing my first meet Dec 5 at the IPA Christmas Classic in Boyerton, PA. I’m going multi bench only. I had planned to do a full meet but herniated a disk 5 weeks ago. So, this will be interesting. I will be competing @ 181 either as a junior or in the opens, i haven’t decided. But here’s my question, I weigh around 195 right now and i KNOW how to cut weight. I’ve wrestled all my life.
Last season i was dropping between 12-17 lbs every week. I know i can cut it easy. What im worried about is the shirt getting loose. I am weighing in the night before. What do you guys think?