first post ever in the powerlifting forum. i just recently switched from a bodybuilding split and “feel the muscle” mentality because i want to enter a powerlifting competition. im giving myself a 1-2 years to get the big 3 lifts up to par to be competitive.
my only question to you guys is when did you feel your strength was up to par to compete?
current maxes are
squat - 315x5 close stance, high bar
bench - 265x1 elbows out bodybuilding style
deadlift - 435x1
id like to get minimum 1RM’s to be
squat - 500
bench - 325
deadlift - 600
Compete at your earliest convenience. Why? Why not? I have stunningly average numbers, and training for a meet gives me yet another reason to kick my own ass in the gym.
Compete, it will take your motivation to new levels to be better. I wish I had started competing years before I did, I guarantee I would be stronger now had I competed earlier.
Compete as soon as you can. I bet gyms are filled with guys waiting to be strong enough to compete. You’re never strong enough. I’d worry more about knowing the rules of the federation and going prepared with that minutiae.
[quote]LiquidMercury wrote:
Compete, it will take your motivation to new levels to be better. I wish I had started competing years before I did, I guarantee I would be stronger now had I competed earlier.[/quote]
*2
Competing is addicting. There is alot of comaraderie at meets. Everyone wants to do their best, but it seems they want you to do your best as well.
I just wish there were more meets for me to do, and not have to travel a great distance to do so.
USPA is holding an open meet close to me in a couple months. I really want to enter but for some reason is scares the shit out of me. Everyone keeps saying “just go for it, better sooner than later”. But I’m anxious, afraid that people will laugh at me and my 225lbs bench press.
Anyone one else feel the same or have gone through this before their first meet?
BTW I’m talking about San Jose Open October 6th. Is anyone else form T-Nation attending?
[quote]mattis wrote:
USPA is holding an open meet close to me in a couple months. I really want to enter but for some reason is scares the shit out of me. Everyone keeps saying “just go for it, better sooner than later”. But I’m anxious, afraid that people will laugh at me and my 225lbs bench press.
Anyone one else feel the same or have gone through this before their first meet?
BTW I’m talking about San Jose Open October 6th. Is anyone else form T-Nation attending?[/quote]
Yes you will be nervous, but once you get that first squat done you will feel better. On the other hand maybe not, but once you realize you’re in the meet it will be easier. Once the meet gets underway and you see how the other lifters cheer you on, you’ll see how different it is than the gym.
Look around and see if there are any meets going on that you can go watch first to see how things go. Maybe that will help you out.
Yes i was definitely nervous when i did my first meet. I was also nervous when i did my secound as well. I think meets are one of those things that most will be at least a little nervous before every meet. Just gotta get the first one done, and the rest will seem a little easier.
[quote]mattis wrote:
USPA is holding an open meet close to me in a couple months. I really want to enter but for some reason is scares the shit out of me. Everyone keeps saying “just go for it, better sooner than later”. But I’m anxious, afraid that people will laugh at me and my 225lbs bench press.
Anyone one else feel the same or have gone through this before their first meet?
BTW I’m talking about San Jose Open October 6th. Is anyone else form T-Nation attending?[/quote]
Long time lurker, first-time poster.
If it makes you feel better, mattis, I’m feeling the urge to compete (would be my 1st competition) in the SJ Open. I have the same reservations as you do, though. I would probably compete in the raw 275’s and my numbers are 410/320/450; definitely not that competitive in my class.
As other posters have said, however, we all start off as beginners. Maybe you and I should bite the bullet, train our asses off for two months, and see what happens in October.
…and I promise I won’t laugh at your lifts if you don’t laugh at mine…
EDIT: I meant to direct this to the OP as well. Just compete, get your feet wet, and post a total. Don’t worry about your numbers compared to more experienced lifters. Maybe shoot for some PR’s, but do your own thing and learn how to compete.
Go watch and learn first. You will probably meet some cool people there, and they will suggest you lift at the next meet. Worst case is you might make some friends/training partners, and learn some stuff.
We all get nervous the first time we try anything. Just do it, then it’s off your bucket list.
Im going in on my 3rd meet, first one being in December 2011. IMO training just takes on a whole different level of importance and purpose when a goal of crushing PRs on the platform is the goal. Im in no position to compete against anyone when I “compete” at a meet, but the comradery of performing with people with like minded lifting values is great. It also gives the hope that one day I will compete at a meet with the goal of actually beating other competitors comes into play.
I actually bombed out my last meet, and it just has made me hungrier.
[quote]wendler_ite wrote:
Long time lurker, first-time poster.
If it makes you feel better, mattis, I’m feeling the urge to compete (would be my 1st competition) in the SJ Open. I have the same reservations as you do, though. I would probably compete in the raw 275’s and my numbers are 410/320/450; definitely not that competitive in my class.
As other posters have said, however, we all start off as beginners. Maybe you and I should bite the bullet, train our asses off for two months, and see what happens in October.
…and I promise I won’t laugh at your lifts if you don’t laugh at mine…
EDIT: I meant to direct this to the OP as well. Just compete, get your feet wet, and post a total. Don’t worry about your numbers compared to more experienced lifters. Maybe shoot for some PR’s, but do your own thing and learn how to compete.[/quote]
Cool! Then we can cheer on each other and make it less scary. Btw I’ll be in the raw, junior 220 class. My numbers are 300/200/330. Been a little while since those PR’s. Hoping to bump my squat to 315, bench to 225 (should be no problem) and deadlift to the 370’s.
[quote]mattis wrote:
USPA is holding an open meet close to me in a couple months. I really want to enter but for some reason is scares the shit out of me. Everyone keeps saying “just go for it, better sooner than later”. But I’m anxious, afraid that people will laugh at me and my 225lbs bench press.
Anyone one else feel the same or have gone through this before their first meet?
BTW I’m talking about San Jose Open October 6th. Is anyone else form T-Nation attending?[/quote]
OMG that is how I feel with my stupid shitty squatting-ness, but I am going to do a meet anyway cause everyone on this website says so, ha!
But also cause I really want to meet lifting peoples and learn how to stop doing stuff wrong…
[quote]mattis wrote:
USPA is holding an open meet close to me in a couple months. I really want to enter but for some reason is scares the shit out of me. Everyone keeps saying “just go for it, better sooner than later”. But I’m anxious, afraid that people will laugh at me and my 225lbs bench press.
Anyone one else feel the same or have gone through this before their first meet?
BTW I’m talking about San Jose Open October 6th. Is anyone else form T-Nation attending?[/quote]
I benched all of 215 in my first meet. No ones going to laugh at you dude. Sack up and go compete. You’ll learn a shit ton and meet some great people.