Former bodybuilder interested in powerlifting

[VeganBarbell]

I have been getting really interested in powerlifting recently. I haven't joined a powerlifting club/team yet, but I am definitely considering it. I'm hoping to get some advice from some veterans on getting into the sport. Did you just jump right in and introduce yourself and show interest and go from there? Are there any kind of strength minimums that you need to have to even start participating in meets. A little background: I weight 90 kg and my lifts are bench: 136kg/300lb (pause press), squat 184kg/405lb and deadlift 206kg/455lb. I have been bodybuilding for almost 10 years, until I brutally injured my shoulder. I feel like I'm not quite up to par on my lifts. Should I wait until I can put up some higher numbers or just dive in. I'm concerned about embarrassing myself. I know the deadlift will increase back to pre injury levels in about 6 months. I've heard guys in the powerlifting world are pretty inviting and supportive. I just wanted to hear some of your guy's take on how you got into the sport. Tips or really anything that would help get me started.

[_Aggression_]

I jumped into my first meet, signing up literally a few weeks prior. Had zero experience in PL'ing. I was a BB'er prior and had a few friends that were all jumping into their first meet so I tagged along. Your numbers are much better than my first meet posted. I think I had a 350/270/365 or something. It doesn't matter what your lifts are. PL meets are a great time and all the competitors are inviting/supportive. Just jump in, man. Get your feet wet. Its a completely different animal compared to competing in a bb'ing show, that's 100% sure. Almost completely opposite, haha.

[VeganBarbell]

Thanks for the reply. That kind of eases my mind. Sounds like it is more about lifting for yourself and hitting numbers you are happy with, rather than just going to a meet with a super competitive mentality. That's the kind of sport I think I'd like to get into.

[EasternHammer]

The biggest mistake people make is believing that everyone at the average lifting meet is some kind of super elite mutant. Not the case. At least 50% of people will be doing it for the first time, in my experience. So there’s no reason to be intimidated about doing a meet.

[Rags85]

The biggest mistake people make is believing that everyone at the average lifting meet is some kind of super elite mutant. Not the case. At least 50% of people will be doing it for the first time, in my experience. So there’s no reason to be intimidated about doing a meet.

This is true. Your flight of lifters at the meet will likely consist of many first timers as well. You will enjoy it. Don't hesitate, just sign up and get some platform experience. Competing, along with the lifts, is a skill. It takes practice to do it well.

[Jason2459]

Good sticky to read through.

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

[_Aggression_]

Agreed. You'll get a mix. There will be guys ridiculously strong alongside guys/girls who are brand new and may only total what you do on one lift. It's all good fun.

[simpson54]

Dont worry about your numbers compared to the rest of the meet. Just find one close by, get a total that you can start building and have fun. Dont worry about embarrassing yourself either. The other lifters and handlers will be focused on their own lifting and the people watching probably cant count kilos so they wont even know how much is on the bar.

For a powerlifting gym/club, find one in your area and sign up. In my experience, the older guys will be more than happy to help out and share knowledge. Just be respectful of the gyms equipment and be willing to learn. Most PL gyms dont make much, if any, money and therefore dont have employees, so helping out by cleaning up after yourself and even picking up stuff that others left out will go a long way.

[Garage Rat]

Why?
I did both for many years.
I would compete in powerlifting for a period of time and then do bodybuilding for a period of time alternating these through the years.
Maybe on or two years PL then the same with BB.
My take back then was using the PL for gaining size and the BB to give me a break from maximum heavy weights.
BB kind of helped me recover because of moderate weights and the focus on building and refining my muscle mass.
Eventually i had to take a long break from PLing because of to many injuries cause by it.
If you are thinking of competing and you have a shoulder issue bench pressing can be very unforgiving on the shoulders.
Only you will know, but I'm just saying from experience max heavy weights will cause something to hurt or be irritated.
I don't mean to sound negative just relaying my life experience from both.
Only you will know after a period of time.
Give a try and make a decision yourself.
Both disciplines are fun and challenging but have there issues if you want to call it that.
Good luck.

[VeganBarbell]

Noob mistake. I should know better than to post without checking out the stickys first.

[VeganBarbell]

I totally agree that using bodybuilding techniques is a good way to tackle weak areas. My worry is that the heavy bulking and cutting wouldn't necessarily coincide with my peak lifting strength before a meet. Don't get me wrong though, I still intend to do some supplementary hypertrophy work.

[VeganBarbell]

Thanks again guys for the positive information and motivation. I think I am definitely going to give it ago. I actually pulled a 495 lb deadlift in my last workout which is a small achievement for a competition likely, but I am happy to see a progression. Maybe in 5 years if I keep the train rolling I will be able to hold my own in the masters division.