What are Good Numbers???

Training Powerlifting
41

Echoing the others I would just go out there and compete. Gym lifts don’t really mean anything because (a) you don’t know if they’re good or not and (b) it’s different once you get on the platform. It’s impossible to say “well, I have a 500lb squat in the gym so that’s what I’ll get in comp” because there are too many variables.

Competing adds a whole new level of focus to your training so I would encourage you to start sooner rather than later. I took way too long to compete for the same reason you are - worrying about numbers. But my training is about 1000% more focused now.

james

42

[quote]browndisaster wrote:
In my mind, I’m not a powerlifter until I pass 300/400/500. I’ve never competed in a meet, [/quote]

Unless you get on the platform you’re not a powerlifter at all. You can be a strength trainee but that’s not the same.

Don’t get hung up on numbers because nobody cares what you get except for you.

james

43

[quote]atypical1 wrote:

[quote]browndisaster wrote:
In my mind, I’m not a powerlifter until I pass 300/400/500. I’ve never competed in a meet, [/quote]

Unless you get on the platform you’re not a powerlifter at all. You can be a strength trainee but that’s not the same.

Don’t get hung up on numbers because nobody cares what you get except for you.

james
[/quote]

One of the stupidest arguments that has been popping up for years. There are powerlifters, and there are competitive powerlifters.

44

[quote]LittleThuggie wrote:
One of the stupidest arguments that has been popping up for years. There are powerlifters, and there are competitive powerlifters.[/quote]

No, powerlifting is a sport and a sport requires some sort of competition by its very definition.

james

45

350 bench
550 squat
600 dead

Once you get to that 1500 total, I think that is really impressive.

But it just depends on who you are talking about.

Compared to the average guy, if you have a 1,000 total, that’s probably pretty strong.

But for me, 1500 is when you can really start saying you’re strong.

I’m about 300 pounds away from that.

46

[quote]atypical1 wrote:

[quote]LittleThuggie wrote:
One of the stupidest arguments that has been popping up for years. There are powerlifters, and there are competitive powerlifters.[/quote]

No, powerlifting is a sport and a sport requires some sort of competition by its very definition.

james
[/quote]

That argument is always completely an ego thing. Competitive powerlifters use it to say, “look what I did! You’re not ‘real’ until you compete like me.” Insinuating that they put more effort, work, whatever, and others don’t measure up. It seriously is ego. Usually because powerlifters are powerlifters because they failed at other sports - football usually - and want something that they can call their own, or be good at.

47

[quote]LittleThuggie wrote:

[quote]atypical1 wrote:

[quote]browndisaster wrote:
In my mind, I’m not a powerlifter until I pass 300/400/500. I’ve never competed in a meet, [/quote]

Unless you get on the platform you’re not a powerlifter at all. You can be a strength trainee but that’s not the same.

Don’t get hung up on numbers because nobody cares what you get except for you.

james
[/quote]

One of the stupidest arguments that has been popping up for years. There are powerlifters, and there are competitive powerlifters.[/quote]

No.

48

[quote]LittleThuggie wrote:
That argument is always completely an ego thing. Competitive powerlifters use it to say, “look what I did! You’re not ‘real’ until you compete like me.” Insinuating that they put more effort, work, whatever, and others don’t measure up. It seriously is ego. Usually because powerlifters are powerlifters because they failed at other sports - football usually - and want something that they can call their own, or be good at. [/quote]

Why are you posting up in a powerlifting forum if you have such a low opinion of powerlifters?

And it’s not an ego thing at all. Just the opposite in fact. I became a LOT more humble after getting onto the platform because it makes you realize how strong other people are, how much effort other people put into this, and how helpful and caring other people can be.

Powerlifting to me is no different than playing in a local softball league or football league in that at some point you’re going to compete against someone else. If I just go to the batting cage I can’t call myself a baseball player. But if I put on a uniform every Saturday morning and head down to the county park to play then I can. Make sense?

james

49

Just to clarify, in the powerlifting forum, “300/400/500” would mean a 400 lbs. bench and 300 lbs. squat. I know what you guys mean, but let’s get it right, m-kay?

Carry on.

50

thanks for the advice, I do want to compete but I haven’t because I didn’t want to pay $100 to go out and total < 1,000 lbs. That being said, I should compete sooner rather than later, from what I read on here it seems like no one ever feels “ready” for their first meet.

lol @ all powerlifters compete because they have issues

51

[quote]browndisaster wrote:
thanks for the advice, I do want to compete but I haven’t because I didn’t want to pay $100 to go out and total < 1,000 lbs. That being said, I should compete sooner rather than later, from what I read on here it seems like no one ever feels “ready” for their first meet.

lol @ all powerlifters compete because they have issues[/quote]

I’d suggest picking a local meet and training for it. Its fun. Its also good experience. The only way to get meet experience is to compete in meets and its a whole different deal than lifting in the gym.

52

[quote]sexyxe wrote:

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:

[quote]CSEagles1694 wrote:
Look up the records for others in your weight class.

CS[/quote]

Thanks, but not a helpful reply…I dont care what the “records” are as I wouldn’t expect to be a record breaker. I know very little about powerlifting…I was simply asking so that I could perhaps get some opinions/feedback from those who have experience in the sport. Like I said initially, I’m just curious as to what is competitive in an average meet for soomeone my size.[/quote]
Well if you want to gauge your competitiveness then observing the respective talent pool of the sport via records isn’t a bad place to start. Where are you at now?[/quote]

I don’t know exact numbers for my 1rms but I can regulary hit singles of 340 bench, 400 plus on squat and I can pull over 500 from a 4" platform… I never have a spotter and havnt been super concerned with max lifts, so I really don’t know exactly where my numbers would be.[/quote]

Gah damn it. Some people these days. Know they are strong, but come on a forum to ask, then hope to get there e-penis stroked.

The worst part is, they say they’ve done some looking into the topic, which is a lie, cause if they had googled it or used the search on here they would have found a million articles. Stop being so lazy. [/quote]

You got it clown…hit the proverbial nail on the head. I wanted my “e-penis stroked”… If I had a substantial knowledge base regarding the fuckin sport I wouldnt have asked the question. I find in life that asking people who have “been there, done that” to be a more reliable resource than sifting through google search results.

I know that I’m “strong” compared to the very few serious lifters at the gym I go to but also realize that that doesn’t mean shit. I was simply trying to get a barometer for a sport I have never been invlolved in as I enjoy competition by nature. It’s becoming apparent that I asked a question that has been beat into the ground in the past…I now understand that…

53

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:

[quote]sexyxe wrote:

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:

[quote]CSEagles1694 wrote:
Look up the records for others in your weight class.

CS[/quote]

Thanks, but not a helpful reply…I dont care what the “records” are as I wouldn’t expect to be a record breaker. I know very little about powerlifting…I was simply asking so that I could perhaps get some opinions/feedback from those who have experience in the sport. Like I said initially, I’m just curious as to what is competitive in an average meet for soomeone my size.[/quote]
Well if you want to gauge your competitiveness then observing the respective talent pool of the sport via records isn’t a bad place to start. Where are you at now?[/quote]

I don’t know exact numbers for my 1rms but I can regulary hit singles of 340 bench, 400 plus on squat and I can pull over 500 from a 4" platform… I never have a spotter and havnt been super concerned with max lifts, so I really don’t know exactly where my numbers would be.[/quote]

Gah damn it. Some people these days. Know they are strong, but come on a forum to ask, then hope to get there e-penis stroked.

The worst part is, they say they’ve done some looking into the topic, which is a lie, cause if they had googled it or used the search on here they would have found a million articles. Stop being so lazy. [/quote]

You got it clown…hit the proverbial nail on the head. I wanted my “e-penis stroked”… If I had a substantial knowledge base regarding the fuckin sport I wouldnt have asked the question. I find in life that asking people who have “been there, done that” to be a more reliable resource than sifting through google search results.

I know that I’m “strong” compared to the very few serious lifters at the gym I go to but also realize that that doesn’t mean shit. I was simply trying to get a barometer for a sport I have never been invlolved in as I enjoy competition by nature. It’s becoming apparent that I asked a question that has been beat into the ground in the past…I now understand that…
[/quote]

Almost everyone at powerlifting meets are totally cool and supportive, regardless of strength and experience levels. Its not like the internet, at all, you should check one out. A meet really is a lot of fun.

54

I’ll add that, at my first meet, I went alone without knowing anyone, and as soon as that fact became known, I almost immediately had multiple total strangers who started explaining things, giving me tips, and offering to help as my “handler.” It was really, really cool.

55

[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I’ll add that, at my first meet, I went alone without knowing anyone, and as soon as that fact became known, I almost immediately had multiple total strangers who started explaining things, giving me tips, and offering to help as my “handler.” It was really, really cool. [/quote]

Thanks for the genuine and helpful feedback. I do appreciate it and am going to consider getting involved in the sport at some level. To me it’s the folks who give the negative/bashing responses that must be in search of the “internet ego boost”.
Not to dive into a life story here, but my background is in football. Personally, if a prospective football player posted a sincere question somewhere and I had the ability to give an intelligent/helpful response to it; I would be glad to do so regardless of that persons percieved potential, simply because I love the sport. I just don’t understand where the glory is in being a dick on the internet. I thought that these forums existed to help people and answer questions.

56

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:
Not to dive into a life story here, but my background is in football. Personally, if a prospective football player posted a sincere question somewhere and I had the ability to give an intelligent/helpful response to it; I would be glad to do so regardless of that persons percieved potential, simply because I love the sport. I just don’t understand where the glory is in being a dick on the internet. I thought that these forums existed to help people and answer questions.[/quote]

http://www.T-Nation.com/searchResults.jsp?cx=016420786931182441572%3Akswwmllusns&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=what+are+good+numbers&siteurl=tnation.T-Nation.com%2Ffree_online_forum%2Fsports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength%2Fwhat_are_good_numbers%3Fid%3D5449712%26pageNo%3D2&ref=tnation.T-Nation.com%2Ffree_online_forum%2Fsports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength%2Fwhat_are_good_numbers%3FpageNo%3D1&ss=1962j298872j21

So if you’re on a football forum, and some guy comes in, for the 100th time that year alone, and asks how to throw a spiral, are you going to take the time to re-explain it to him as you have done the previous 100 times? It’s kinda like that.

The search function exists for a reason.

57

[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:

[quote]Nexxt84 wrote:
Not to dive into a life story here, but my background is in football. Personally, if a prospective football player posted a sincere question somewhere and I had the ability to give an intelligent/helpful response to it; I would be glad to do so regardless of that persons percieved potential, simply because I love the sport. I just don’t understand where the glory is in being a dick on the internet. I thought that these forums existed to help people and answer questions.[/quote]

http://www.T-Nation.com/searchResults.jsp?cx=016420786931182441572%3Akswwmllusns&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=what+are+good+numbers&siteurl=tnation.T-Nation.com%2Ffree_online_forum%2Fsports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength%2Fwhat_are_good_numbers%3Fid%3D5449712%26pageNo%3D2&ref=tnation.T-Nation.com%2Ffree_online_forum%2Fsports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength%2Fwhat_are_good_numbers%3FpageNo%3D1&ss=1962j298872j21

So if you’re on a football forum, and some guy comes in, for the 100th time that year alone, and asks how to throw a spiral, are you going to take the time to re-explain it to him as you have done the previous 100 times? It’s kinda like that.

The search function exists for a reason.
[/quote]

Nope, definately wouldn’t do that. If I responded at all, I would simply point him in the right direction. Hypothetically, I may tell him to use the search function or reply with a link to material that would be helpful etc…maybe enlighten him that the inquiry is redundant and tell him where to go for answers. I would not, however, leave him with a sarcastic and unhelpful response as you did in this forum. I understand that most of you are apparently tired of responding to “typical questions” but there can be a tactful way to do so in my opinion. Even if compelled to give a smartass response, folling such with some sort of help, to me, makes sense. Personally, I just think it is a waste of everyones time when threads get flooded with a bunch of sarcasm/unhelpful replies.

58

following*

59

[quote]atypical1 wrote:

[quote]LittleThuggie wrote:
That argument is always completely an ego thing. Competitive powerlifters use it to say, “look what I did! You’re not ‘real’ until you compete like me.” Insinuating that they put more effort, work, whatever, and others don’t measure up. It seriously is ego. Usually because powerlifters are powerlifters because they failed at other sports - football usually - and want something that they can call their own, or be good at. [/quote]

Why are you posting up in a powerlifting forum if you have such a low opinion of powerlifters?

And it’s not an ego thing at all. Just the opposite in fact. I became a LOT more humble after getting onto the platform because it makes you realize how strong other people are, how much effort other people put into this, and how helpful and caring other people can be.

Powerlifting to me is no different than playing in a local softball league or football league in that at some point you’re going to compete against someone else. If I just go to the batting cage I can’t call myself a baseball player. But if I put on a uniform every Saturday morning and head down to the county park to play then I can. Make sense?

james
[/quote]

I love powerlifting more than anything but my daughter. I just despise this argument. I’ve been going to meets since I was two years old, helping fellow lifter friends, competing myself, etc. Probably 15 meets total. I get your argument, but my point is that in your argument you made the “baseball player” JUST a guy that goes to the batting cage. If a guy/girl lifts, trains, eats, sleeps, learns, etc. to excel at powerlifting (3 lifts), then I consider them a powerlifter. Just not a competitive one.

Other arguments are if I play guitar, study music, practice 5 hours a day, am I not a guitarist? Or do I have to be in a band? Or does my band have to play a show? Also MMA. If I train jiu-jistu, boxing, strength and speed training, etc. and put all free time into getting better at mixed martial arts, am I not a mixed martial artist? (go fight that person and see lol). It’s just too subjective. What if I only did one meet my entire life?

What if I did a meet and was all alone in my weight/age class? I didn’t compete against anyone but myself. How many meets do I have to do to be considered a “powerlifter”? Who decides when and if I am a powerlifter? If I don’t do enough meets per year, does my powerlifting title get revoked? If I just do one my entire life, am I a powerlifter? What if someone trains half-ass for a month and enters a meet, are they really now a powerlifter? No.

I just think if someone trains hard, consistently, puts the effort, learns the sport, etc. than they can consider themselves powerlifters (or guitarists, mixed martial artists, whatever). I’ve seen guys compete in powerlifting, MMA, etc. that should be embarrassed to call themselves practitioners of their art. And I have seen guys bust ass that don’t compete, that earn the title. That is my opinion.

60

alright, just registered for my first meet. It’s a long ways away, but thats not a big deal