74KG or 66KG class to pick from

[Cyrca]

Curious if anyone has decent input on picking a weight class.
Current: 5'11 155-158 weigh ins (light as a bird I know).
Lifts: B(185) S(330) D(445)
Est total ~950-970 very close to 1k!

Not in a rush to compete, but would like to if I remain injury free (knocks on wood).
TL;DR
Intensify bulking and go for IPF 163 lb weight class or attempt to diet/manipulate water and compete at IPF 145 lb.
Best

[NeverDeload]

Slowly go up to 74kg at 5'11. I'd say you should increase your volume to try to gain as much muscle as you can whilst bulking. And increase protein intake in particular if it isn't already high. I say this as in my experience lighter lifters tend to not eat enough protein.

[arian11]

Bulk until you are 93kg or 105kg in the longterm.

[SPFjudge]

5'11''...Minimum 93 class and thats pushing it. Don't even think about dieting to 145.

[308smk]

105 at least...

[NorthStrong]

yeah 105/120 long term, 93/105ish short term.

[Rags85]

Agreed, 93 seems light. 105 is easy at that height.

[zajicekg32]

I'd say get as get up as high as you can without putting on a lot of fat. I think the weight class you'd do well at is the one where you can have the most muscle mass and stay relatively lean. Also, take it slow, gaining straight to 93kg or 105kg will end up in a lot of fat gain. You can try seeing what it's like at 74kg, but I'd say start with 83kg and see how that goes. Personally, I take this as a long term thing, but if you just wanna get as big as possible in a relatively short amount of time, then bulk like crazy haha. End of the day, do what you think is best.

[FunkymonkAW]

Zero reason IMO to stay in 63kg. Grow into 74kg, but don't feel rushed. Just because you're in the 74kg class doesn't mean you need to be 73-74kg.

[NeverDeload]

I'd say get as get up as high as you can without putting on a lot of fat. I think the weight class you'd do well at is the one where you can have the most muscle mass and stay relatively lean. Also, take it slow, gaining straight to 93kg or 105kg will end up in a lot of fat gain. You can try seeing what it's like at 74kg, but I'd say start with 83kg and see how that goes. Personally, I take this as a long term thing, but if you just wanna get as big as possible in a relatively short amount of time, then bulk like crazy haha. End of the day, do what you think is best.

He's talking short term judging by the OP. He isn't going to be 93 anytime soon, that isn't worth thinking about. 74 is going to be a good class for him for his first meet based on his current weight. He should be looking to compete soon for experience with those numbers. It also depends on his other goals, and what he does, apart from powerlifting. Depends how lean he wants to be. He needs to slowly go to 74kg first, before thinking about 83kg. Then slowly go up to 83kg, before thinking about 93kg. Otherwise he is going to end up gaining too much fat.

If all I cared about was powerlifting (and lifting as much weight on the squat, bench, deadlift as I possibly can) then I'd compete at 90/93kg and be carrying way, way, more fat. But I do other things, play other sports and so on.

[zajicekg32]

He's talking short term judging by the OP. He isn't going to be 93 anytime soon, that isn't worth thinking about. 74 is going to be a good class for him for his first meet based on his current weight. He should be looking to compete soon for experience with those numbers. It also depends on his other goals, and what he does, apart from powerlifting. Depends how lean he wants to be. He needs to slowly go to 74kg first, before thinking about 83kg. Then slowly go up to 83kg, before thinking about 93kg. Otherwise he is going to end up gaining too much fat.

If all I cared about was powerlifting (and lifting as much weight on the squat, bench, deadlift as I possibly can) then I'd compete at 90/93kg and be carrying way, way, more fat. But I do other things, play other sports and so on.

That's kind of what I'm saying. Take it as slow as possible and don't rush into higher weight classes. Be lean with the most amount of muscle possible before heading up to another weight class. I do agree though to stay 74kg first.

[Aubelift]

Slowly work your way up.

I'm 5'9 and I've done my first meet at 74 kg and it sucked. Did 5 meets after that as a 83 kg slowly getting heavier (79.4, 80.3, 82.0, 82.6,...) and now I'm going 93 kg. Don't rush but at you height you should NOT stay that light.

[NeverDeload]

That's kind of what I'm saying. Take it as slow as possible and don't rush into higher weight classes. Be lean with the most amount of muscle possible before heading up to another weight class. I do agree though to stay 74kg first.

I was basically agreeing with you and adding more. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[Dawes]

Heavier for you.
Most people in 66 are my height or shorter, you will probably not be heavy enough even in the 74s either.

[zajicekg32]

I was basically agreeing with you and adding more. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

It's all good man!