1st meet next Saturday

[Coacb55]

Hey guys, longtime lurker and first time poster. I'm competing in my first competition next Saturday and just wanTed to get some thoughts and advice.

A little background, I'm 6'2 280 and played college football and plenty of lifting experience, but not in a meet setting. I've been training for the meet since February using Wendler's 531 and practicing with the commands.I'm at 405 on paused bench, 580 on squat and 515 on dealift. Nothing spectacular for my size and my DL is weak as whale piss. My goal is to be somewhere around 1500lbs raw. I know there's a ton of guys stronger than me, but I just want to have fun and see how I measure up.

I have two questions. First is how much should I work out this week, or should I at all? I did a simulated meet type of workout on Friday and just did my 3 lifts, warmups and three attempts.I feel a little drained still from that.

Also my weight hovers between 275 and 280. Should I take any weight cutting steps and try to make sure I lift at 275 or just keep my normal diet? I coach High School football powerlifting and our meets, the 275 class is usually stronger and you have more slobs in the 308 and SHW classes. I figured adult powerlifting would be different and 275 may be easier to compete in. If anyone has any input on that,I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[AKGetsStrength]

I'd lift up to 50% Tuesday or Wednesday, maybe less on deads, just to keep fresh.

Wouldn't usually advise weight cutting for a first meet, so this is your call.

[NeverEnough89]

I usually do no deadlifting, 50-65% 3x3 on squats on Wednesday, and 65% 3x3 on Thursday on bench. Relax and eat on the off days, do some stretching and stay hydrated. Eat through out the meet, and stay really hydrated that day.

[wrestler271]

I would work your openers and leave it at that until meet day. I mean i would have done that 10 days out or so. You can definitely also just do what AK said and keep it fresh by training small %'s of your maxes to keep you fresh.

[Turtora]

Monday: 92% singles
Wednesday: 80% singles
Friday/Saturday: Compete

edit -- just saw you had a bit of a mock meet. would recommend 50-70% singles as above posters have said.

perhaps:

Monday: 70% singles
Wednesday: 60% singles
Friday/Saturday: Compete

[NeverDeload]

I wouldn't have had you do the mock meet. Either train very light or take the week off now. Make sure you are hitting depth on squat. You're 280 so chances are you are. But make sure you are.

[Coacb55]

I wouldn't have had you do the mock meet. Either train very light or take the week off now. Make sure you are hitting depth on squat. You're 280 so chances are you are. But make sure you are.

I would have preferred to do the mock meet farther out, but my deload week was the previous week and I did not want go two weeks in a row without lifting heavy going into a meet.

Thanks a lot everyone for the advice. I'll probably do a very light session today or tomorrow and take the rest of the week off. I'll also not worry about cutting weight this week.

I've been thinking about what to do for my openers. I think the safe thing with it being my first meet would be to go really conservative. I'm thinking maybe 350/500/450 or something like that. Maybe even lighter on squat just in case I mess up sonething technique wise since I've never been judged before. I feel like I get really low on squats as I've always made a point to do that from my football days and drill into my kids now.

[Kennysvgp08]

We have a sticky for this:

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

[Coacb55]

It went pretty well. The only disappointment I had was that I went too conservative and the judge told me after my second squat that it was only a 7 lift meet. I finished with a 1410 total with two squats and two deadlifts and 3 bench attempts. I finished 505/405/500. I would've been more aggressive on my squat and dead if I knew that it was a 7 lift meet.

I hit 405 pretty easy and felt I had a few more pounds in me. I was nervous about that one. I am happy that I did not miss any lifts but I wish I would've gotten closer to my 1500 goal. Getting up on that platform was very fun and I had tons of adrenaline running through me. The other lifters were awesome at pumping each other up. I ended up winning the 308 class, but honestly there wasn't much competition. I can't wait until my next meet in July.

Thanks everyone that helped me in this thread.