I just graduated high school which means the end of my football career. I have loved lifting since an early age and I’m looking for some activity to replace football. My question: can anyone just jump into competitive lifting? Also, what would be the best way to do this? and what is reccomended? I know I am nowhere near where I need to be, but I have the time and interest to get there. I have been leaning towards powerlifting.
I am 6’0 and weigh somewhere around 185. I just started back into things so my numbers are sort of down, but before football season I was putting up:
Bench: 240
Squat: 425
DL: 335 (always been a weakpoint)
You remind me of me. I had this fire in my chest for lifting weights, but no ‘reason’ too after highschool football ended.
I then discovered T-Nation, my sanctuary. And now it is clear to me that lifting weights for the sake of it (not bodybuilding, not powerlifting, not olympic lifting) just flat out wanting to lift heavy things, is just as good as a reason as any.
I combined that with proper nutrition and haven’t looked back. You don’t need to compete, if you want to, all you have to do is find a local comp and enter.
I’m to the point now where PLing is more important to me than football ever was, and I was pretty fucking gung-ho. So definitely at least give powerlifting a try.
Out of maybe hundreds of powerlifters I’ve trained with, competed with, or heard of, I can count on one hand those below 250 lbs. who can raw squat more than they deadlift.
And keep in mind the squat is a much more technical lift, and the average powerlifter is more skilled than the average general purpose trainer or football player in executing it. So yo’d expect the squat to be closer.
The point? You don’t squat 425. Curtseying to the crowd with 425 on your back doesn’t count.
So I’d start by learning to do your lifts properly. Pause your benches, bury your squats, etc… and go from there.
[quote]JAK27 wrote:
I just graduated high school which means the end of my football career. I have loved lifting since an early age and I’m looking for some activity to replace football. My question: can anyone just jump into competitive lifting? Also, what would be the best way to do this? and what is reccomended? I know I am nowhere near where I need to be, but I have the time and interest to get there. I have been leaning towards powerlifting.
I am 6’0 and weigh somewhere around 185. I just started back into things so my numbers are sort of down, but before football season I was putting up:
Bench: 240
Squat: 425
DL: 335 (always been a weakpoint)
So guys, what should I do?
[/quote]
Yes, anybody can compete.
NASA offers meets in TN. Just fill out the application and mail it in. March 14th, 2009 - Tennessee State, Equipped & Unequipped PL’ing, Power Sports�, Push Pull, Equipped & Unequipped BP Only, Pickwick Park, TN. Compete list of 2008 & 2009 NASA POWERLIFTING & BENCH PRESS MEETS http://www.nasa-sports.com/Events_Powerlifting.html
You must wear a singlet. If you want to compete raw, then
compete in a raw division. If you want to compete equipped, then compete in an equipped division.
Thanks for all the feedback guys. You are most likely right about my 425 squat, although I have always put effort into making sure my form is good. Since I have started lifting again I’ve been box squatting very low and the weight has been no more than 225.
[quote]NASAKYCHAIRMAN wrote:
2. NASA offers meets in TN. Just fill out the application and mail it in. March 14th, 2009 - Tennessee State, Equipped & Unequipped PL’ing, Power Sports�, Push Pull, Equipped & Unequipped BP Only, Pickwick Park, TN. Compete list of 2008 & 2009 NASA POWERLIFTING & BENCH PRESS MEETS http://www.nasa-sports.com/Events_Powerlifting.html [/quote]
This is cool to know, but how long should I train before I compete? I guess the question is what sort of numbers do I need to be competitive?
As far as my training goes, I’m doing a Monday, Wednesday, Friday split that looks something like this:
I’ve really liked this as far as it has gotten me back into shape, but maybe I need something more PL specific. working legs only once a week seems way too unoften. Thoughts?
[quote]Ramo wrote:
Out of maybe hundreds of powerlifters I’ve trained with, competed with, or heard of, I can count on one hand those below 250 lbs. who can raw squat more than they deadlift.
And keep in mind the squat is a much more technical lift, and the average powerlifter is more skilled than the average general purpose trainer or football player in executing it. So yo’d expect the squat to be closer.
The point? You don’t squat 425. Curtseying to the crowd with 425 on your back doesn’t count.
So I’d start by learning to do your lifts properly. Pause your benches, bury your squats, etc… and go from there.[/quote]
Don’t be a dick. I squat MUCH more than I deadlift. 90lbs more to be precise(Sq-540-in competition, DL-450-training). I have always felt extremely awkward deadlifting. Maybe OP is the same. Point here being you can’t judge a lift you can’t see.
[quote]JAK27 wrote:
And just rest for the remainder of the week? Also, what about core training, when would that fit in?[/quote]
A lot of people say heavy squatting and DL-ing is enough core work, but I myself like to include some specific work. I usually do it immediately before, or after any leg day. There’s about a fucking million different exercises that work to varying degrees, so just do a little research and find what you like, and do it.
One more concern, it seems like everyone I talk to tells me powerlifting is terrible on your joints and not to go into it unless i want chronic injuries. I’m not terribly concerned about common opinion because people don’t know what they’re talking about, but one of my co-workers at GNC whose opinion I respect has told me this as well. How much truth is in this?
[quote]JAK27 wrote:
One more concern, it seems like everyone I talk to tells me powerlifting is terrible on your joints and not to go into it unless i want chronic injuries. I’m not terribly concerned about common opinion because people don’t know what they’re talking about, but one of my co-workers at GNC whose opinion I respect has told me this as well. How much truth is in this?[/quote]
i’ve always understood that powerlifters had tendons like steel cables, and their joints were WELL supported with all the muscle. just my opinion, anyone have a sciency answer?
[quote]masonator wrote:
Ramo wrote:
Out of maybe hundreds of powerlifters I’ve trained with, competed with, or heard of, I can count on one hand those below 250 lbs. who can raw squat more than they deadlift.
And keep in mind the squat is a much more technical lift, and the average powerlifter is more skilled than the average general purpose trainer or football player in executing it. So yo’d expect the squat to be closer.
The point? You don’t squat 425. Curtseying to the crowd with 425 on your back doesn’t count.
So I’d start by learning to do your lifts properly. Pause your benches, bury your squats, etc… and go from there.
Don’t be a dick. I squat MUCH more than I deadlift. 90lbs more to be precise(Sq-540-in competition, DL-450-training). I have always felt extremely awkward deadlifting. Maybe OP is the same. Point here being you can’t judge a lift you can’t see.[/quote]
That is so seldomly the case, it would lead people to believe you are quarter squatting regaurdless of what you say. I’ve NEVER com eacrosss someone in real life who could squat more then he could deadlift, unless they were quarter squatting. I have about 100 pounds between my squat and deadlift. And I mean my deadlift is 100 pounds more then my squat.
Even if it’s not the case, he’s best off making sure he’s doing it right anyways.
[quote]masonator wrote:
Ramo wrote:
Out of maybe hundreds of powerlifters I’ve trained with, competed with, or heard of, I can count on one hand those below 250 lbs. who can raw squat more than they deadlift.
And keep in mind the squat is a much more technical lift, and the average powerlifter is more skilled than the average general purpose trainer or football player in executing it. So yo’d expect the squat to be closer.
The point? You don’t squat 425. Curtseying to the crowd with 425 on your back doesn’t count.
So I’d start by learning to do your lifts properly. Pause your benches, bury your squats, etc… and go from there.
Don’t be a dick. I squat MUCH more than I deadlift. 90lbs more to be precise(Sq-540-in competition, DL-450-training). I have always felt extremely awkward deadlifting. Maybe OP is the same. Point here being you can’t judge a lift you can’t see.[/quote]
That is so seldomly the case, it would lead people to believe you are quarter squatting regaurdless of what you say. I’ve NEVER com eacrosss someone in real life who could squat more then he could deadlift, unless they were quarter squatting. I have about 100 pounds between my squat and deadlift. And I mean my deadlift is 100 pounds more then my squat.
Even if it’s not the case, he’s best off making sure he’s doing it right anyways.
I agree with mthomps do it because you love it because it is whats in your blood. Then you might end up finding a sport you want to do it in, powerlifting, strongman whatever it may be. As far as powering and your joints yes it can be damaging any sport can be you just have to be smart about it all. Just start lifting weights and seeing what you like to do.
[quote]zephead4747 wrote:
masonator wrote:
Ramo wrote:
Out of maybe hundreds of powerlifters I’ve trained with, competed with, or heard of, I can count on one hand those below 250 lbs. who can raw squat more than they deadlift.
And keep in mind the squat is a much more technical lift, and the average powerlifter is more skilled than the average general purpose trainer or football player in executing it. So yo’d expect the squat to be closer.
The point? You don’t squat 425. Curtseying to the crowd with 425 on your back doesn’t count.
So I’d start by learning to do your lifts properly. Pause your benches, bury your squats, etc… and go from there.
Don’t be a dick. I squat MUCH more than I deadlift. 90lbs more to be precise(Sq-540-in competition, DL-450-training). I have always felt extremely awkward deadlifting. Maybe OP is the same. Point here being you can’t judge a lift you can’t see.
That is so seldomly the case, it would lead people to believe you are quarter squatting regaurdless of what you say. I’ve NEVER com eacrosss someone in real life who could squat more then he could deadlift, unless they were quarter squatting. I have about 100 pounds between my squat and deadlift. And I mean my deadlift is 100 pounds more then my squat.
Even if it’s not the case, he’s best off making sure he’s doing it right anyways.[/quote]
Yeah I’m the only person I know who squats more than they DL, but I don’t see the point of trying to break people down like he did. I didn’t hear OP asking about form.
