minimum lifts to compete?

[xc_mtb]

it has been a long term goal of mine to be able to compete in powerlifting, so i was just wondering how much i would have to deadlift, squat, and bench at my weight and age to not look like an idiot at a pl competition. not looking to win anything, just want to do well enough to be taken seriously. probably a repost, sorry, and thanks in advance for any help

[Chokenpuke]

Your lifts won't help you not like an idiot.

[tinyman5000]

maybe you should just do one

[freeride88]

It's not a repost...it's a megapost. This gets asked here three or four times a day, and the answer is always the same. If you can complete a lift at any weight, you should compete. No one's going to guarantee you a win or a record. Stop being a pussy and go lift.

[theend2]

45/45/45

those are the minimum lifts

[BigWig58]

it has been a long term goal of mine to be able to compete in powerlifting, so i was just wondering how much i would have to deadlift, squat, and bench at my weight and age to not look like an idiot at a pl competition. not looking to win anything, just want to do well enough to be taken seriously. probably a repost, sorry, and thanks in advance for any help

Two years ago at the raw nationals this kid was there who came to bench only in the 220 class. He tells me it's his first meet. I asked him what he planned on opening with. He tells me "365". I said cool. I ask what his best gym lift was in prep for the meet. He tells me "365". I am floored. So me and another vet lifter tell this guy to go to the judges booth right then and pull his opener way down. We tell him to open with something he can do easy. He tells us, in a very cocky and condescending way, "trust me I've got it."

So he goes out and opens with 365 and misses it. Not even close really. Then of course he misses his second and third attempt at it as well.

I see a guy at this years raw nationals the night before the meet at the weigh in. Skinny fellow, about 145 or so and he looks nervous and is asking the weigh in guy lots of questions. He says it's his first meet. I relay the story above to him to let him know what not to do. We both tell him "stay in the meet". He tells me thanks a lot for the advice. He went 3 for 3 the next day and hit 209 for his top bench which was a PR I believe. We all gave him high fives and I was very impressed with the guy. The first guy was the guy that came across looking like an idiot. Not the 145 pound guy with the 209 pound bench.

Guys at meets don't care what you hit for the most part. We support and encourage each other because it's really about doing your own best. that sounds somewhat like a cliche but you'll find total strangers doing their best to help you with anything they can.

Just go and compete and have a great time. You will benefit in your training immensely and I promise afterward you'll be more motivated than you have been since you started training.

[isaku900]

45/45/45

those are the minimum lifts

haha.

this is the credited response.

[PotKettleBlack]

There are no minimum lifts.

[Arlecchino]

Should you wish some reading on the subject:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=5395203

Yes, it comes up that often, as others have said.

Go and compete. Learn from more experienced competitors.

[Chokenpuke]

^^^How is that not a sticky?^^^

[jeff00z28]

just go brah. i am doing one this spring and will probably not be anywhere near winning.

[duckofdeath]

no ones gonna be a dick if you arent as strong as them
just work hard and focus on your own PR's

But for a 15 year old in the 165 class

Lower lifts would be-
bench- 165
Squat- 215
deadlift- 225

Average
Bench-195
Squat-265
Deadlift-325

Top 5
Bench- 275
Squat- 375
Deadlift-415

[xc_mtb]

thank you very much powerlifting section for mostly very informative posts, sorry about the major repost, reps on recharge

[babyslayer]

It's not a repost...it's a megapost. This gets asked here three or four times a day, and the answer is always the same. If you can complete a lift at any weight, you should compete. No one's going to guarantee you a win or a record. Stop being a pussy and go lift.

I dont know about "should", all though you certainly could.


I think originally people should set some small but decent goals and shoot for them before they compete.

[Arlecchino]

^^^How is that not a sticky?^^^

We have too many stickies already.

[BigWig58]

I dont know about "should", all though you certainly could.


I think originally people should set some small but decent goals and shoot for them before they compete.

Actually committing to a meet will generally help people set a goal to hit.