I think you might be doing yourself a disservice here.
No. I’m really fucking not.
They require a 635 kg total at 120 kg to represent at Commonwealth level. The class below (105) requires 600 and below that (94) 565.
That is pretty ridiculous for someone competing at Commonwealth level. They are all totals I could hit when I weighed in those ranges, again adjusting for no wraps, walking out and a stiff bar.
I know I’m getting better. I know I’m stronger than some , but I’m also weaker than others. The bottom line is, I’m an average guy who works hard and has some advantages and some disadvantages. Same as most others.
Putting me at my current and past ability at Commonwealth level shows that whomever set those standards has no desire to foster any degree of competitiveness.
Consider that I sit somewhere in the middle of the pack in my class in an untested fed. This means anyone MIGHT be using PEDs, but maybe none are. Let’s say half use and half don’t. At absolute best, I might get a third round invitation to nationals. Third round. To the level below Commonwealth. So around a quarter of people above me in my weight class have to turn down invitations for me to get a look in at nationals. Looking at how I went this year, if I did get to nationals I would place between 12th and eighth.
If we take the totals I had in lower weight classes, which are MORE competitive in GPC because of how big they are, I wouldn’t even be in the looking for a fourth round invite like I got last year, and if I did somehow get one I would be sitting within a couple of places of last even with a perfect day by the end of it.
So no, I’m not doing myself a disservice. I just have a pretty good idea of what the average, basic dude is capable of with a bit of effort. According to PA, that’s Commonwealth level. Take that approach to any other sporting body and you’ll be laughed out the door.
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Add to that, in PA you could end up being the only person or 1 of 3, in your class so you get a medal for turning up!!!
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There is that too. Although, GPC was the same and may still be. I know Ryan Williams made a motion at the last AGM to remove medals unless there were at least three in a class or something similar.
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I think his proposal may have also included the idea that medals in smaller meets only go to best three male and female lifters.
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You may have a point. Maybe you are a chunky schmuck.
In all seriousness though, I’ve enjoyed this conversation just because I love watching people talk about their passions, even when they’re completely irrelevant to me.
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If they did before this weekend, they might not now.
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Thank Christ there’s no kiwis on here.
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Don’t get me started on the decline and decline of Australian rugby union 
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For the next few weeks I am going to be doing a restorative block. For those interested here is what the block is meant to be / do.
The last block preparing for the powerlifting comp was focused on the squat, bench, and deadlift and movements that complemented those lifts.
So the goal now is to include movements that are not normally trained: knee flexion, hip flexion, spinal anti-extension, spinal rotation, the many untrained articulations of the shoulder, and elbow flexion.
During this stage of training, we want to reduce the volume of work targeting the main powerlifting movements and add the untrained movements. To create the time in the session to do all this we reduce the powerlifting movements, it’s also good to give those movement patterns a break. Even just 2-3 weeks will be helpful with 3-4 weeks after each contest is recommended.
The idea is to provide a concentrated block of training where injuries can heal and health can be built and bankrolled for later.
So you will start to see some different movements in my program over this week and for 3 more weeks after. Then I will move back to a volume / hypertrophy phase and start building again.
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Sounds like a plan!
Takes notes
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Monday 21st October - Restorative block week 1
5 mins on the bike to warm up
GHR - body weight
BW x 4 sets - 7, 7, 7, 7
Hammies and calves were very tight
DB bench
20 x 15 warm up
30 x 10 x 3 sets (66 lbs)
Moved pretty easy, chest a little sore but strength was fine
Lat pull down
3 sets x 10
56 x 10 smooth 3-4 left (warm up)
63 x 10 smooth 2-3 left
70 x 10 - harder 1-2 left
70 x 10 - harder 1-2 left
ABS
Russian twist with 8kg ball
20, 20, 20
This were hilarious!! All over the shop. Lol. Abs were sore by the end though. Reminds me I need to do more Ab work.
Good little session, only took 35 mins. Got the blood moving and a little pump but nothing too hard.
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Sounds like you’ve got some fun researching ahead, and Markko has given you Cliff’s Notes for it 
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Awesome performance at your meet! Will be following.
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Thanks mate and welcome to the log.
Thursday 24th October - restorative block week 1
Single leg press (45 degree leg press)
0 x 8 (first set with no plates to get a feel and warm up)
50 x 8 added a 25kg plate to each side
90 x 8 x 3 sets added another 20kg to each side
These felt hard, both legs shaking at near lockout, right worse than left.
Chest supported Db Row
25 x 8 x 3 sets
Leg curl
39 x 10
46 x 10
46 x 10
Felt fine was pulling my lower back a little
Abs
Hanging feet to bar
10 x 3 sets
Lateral raise
10kg 10 x 3 sets
Hammer curls
15kg 10 x 3 sets
Was pretty hot here today (about 35 C), session still felt pretty easy. All done in 45 mins
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I’m guessing this is the lying leg curl machine. I’ve started bracing my abs when I do these. It helps fight the lower back tug. If I feel a rep in my lower back then I stop the set.
Yes mate lying leg curl. It wasn’t really a problem just something I noticed. My lower back has been a little off for weeks now but nothing more that the odd tightness or twinge. I will book to see the osteo during this restorative phase, and get some work done.
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A little late to the party, but great job at your first meet! Following along!