Your first meet.

[maybesew]

My first meet is June 27th. Trying not to over think/prepare. Just want to make sure my training is solid, i have read all the rules and go with the flow

[senorsuave]

I'll actually be doing my second meet, after about 6 years. I know for the first one when I went there was a column to list your gym affiliation... can we just leave this blank? I feel like everyone had one but I'm not trying to go there and list that I work out at LA fitness. Dumb question, but I figured I'd address it now.

[paolo234]

Got my first meet this saturday on the 27th! I'm stoked. My folks know I go to the gym, but have no idea that I powerlift, so I'm glad they're going to see me on the platform.

[bigdogfarmhand]

Hello,

I've never posted here but had a favor to ask.


Can some one point me in the right direction to beginner meets or just any thing in Colorado?

I've wasted enough time and wanna try a few before I turn 30

I would really like to talk to a Colorado power lifter that has done meets or maybe a coach.

Any Colorado brahs ?

Let me know if this is not allowed here thanks

[HL44]

Hello,

I've never posted here but had a favor to ask.


Can some one point me in the right direction to beginner meets or just any thing in Colorado?

I've wasted enough time and wanna try a few before I turn 30

I would really like to talk to a Colorado power lifter that has done meets or maybe a coach.

Any Colorado brahs ?

Let me know if this is not allowed here thanks

try powerliftingwatch.com they aggregate all events for all federations. good luck.

[McCabesLifts]

Hello,

I've never posted here but had a favor to ask.


Can some one point me in the right direction to beginner meets or just any thing in Colorado?

I've wasted enough time and wanna try a few before I turn 30

I would really like to talk to a Colorado power lifter that has done meets or maybe a coach.

Any Colorado brahs ?

Let me know if this is not allowed here thanks

I sent you a pm

[italianplaya30]

I've heard a good rule of thumb for an opener is a weight you should be able to double or triple on a training day.

For a newbie going into his first meet, would anyone be worried about going in using a weight I could usually double. Best gym lifts are 525/295/615. I want to open with 485/275/585 which I have all hit for doubles multiple times before. Does this sound right??

I agree you want your opener to be as easy as possible...you should be fine with that

[McCabesLifts]

I'll actually be doing my second meet, after about 6 years. I know for the first one when I went there was a column to list your gym affiliation... can we just leave this blank? I feel like everyone had one but I'm not trying to go there and list that I work out at LA fitness. Dumb question, but I figured I'd address it now.

You can leave it blank, a lot of people left it blank at the meet I just did, and good luck at the meet!

[smallworldFit]

Hi guys

I'm planning on entering my first meet soon with GBPF. I have to lose 1kg to make the weight class I want to compete in... that isn't much so should I worry about that?

Just a few questions:
- Is GBPF TOO big for a first meet? Should I find a small local one first? If so, whats the best way to find small local meets e.g. Yellow Pages, a website?
- Are Knee Sleeves approved in GBPF (raw competition) because I can't find this detail on the website, it only states that belt and wrist wraps are allowed (even though GBPF is affiliated with IPF which do allow Knee Sleeves)

[scotpak1979]

Hi guys

I'm planning on entering my first meet soon with GBPF. I have to lose 1kg to make the weight class I want to compete in... that isn't much so should I worry about that?

Just a few questions:
- Is GBPF TOO big for a first meet? Should I find a small local one first? If so, whats the best way to find small local meets e.g. Yellow Pages, a website?
- Are Knee Sleeves approved in GBPF (raw competition) because I can't find this detail on the website, it only states that belt and wrist wraps are allowed (even though GBPF is affiliated with IPF which do allow Knee Sleeves)

> Losing 1kg is no big deal
> GBPF has lots of local meets. Check their regional websites for meet dates (go to GBPF website and then go to regional map. Click map to get weblinks).
> Yes knee sleeves are allowed. Certain brands must be worn i think.

GBPF also has a FB page so u can ask further questions there

[HL44]

competed in my first meet this weekend in the 82kg weight class, USAPL.
weight in at 80.8 and hit 7/9 lifts.
squat 474
bench 259
dl 546

i took 2nd place.

takeaways:
wait for the commands, my first bench attempt was a no lift because i didn't wait for the rack command.
make sure you lower the DL in a controlled manner, i was so excited i hit my 3rd attempt at a 10lb PR that i basically threw it on the ground and it didn't count. i would have had 1st place if i hadnt made such a stupid mistake.

overall i'm hooked, it was so much fun. i walked in there feeling nervous as hell and walked out having had a lot of fun and meeting a lot of cool (and very strong) people.

anyone deciding on whether they should compete or not, i would absolutely encourage you to compete, it was outstanding.

[NuLifting56]

competed in my first meet this weekend in the 82kg weight class, USAPL.
weight in at 80.8 and hit 7/9 lifts.
squat 474
bench 259
dl 546

i took 2nd place.

takeaways:
wait for the commands, my first bench attempt was a no lift because i didn't wait for the rack command.
make sure you lower the DL in a controlled manner, i was so excited i hit my 3rd attempt at a 10lb PR that i basically threw it on the ground and it didn't count. i would have had 1st place if i hadnt made such a stupid mistake.

overall i'm hooked, it was so much fun. i walked in there feeling nervous as hell and walked out having had a lot of fun and meeting a lot of cool (and very strong) people.

anyone deciding on whether they should compete or not, i would absolutely encourage you to compete, it was outstanding.

Awesome job for first meet, congrats. I just had my first meet a few weeks back as well, RPS Boston. Went 8/9 475, 315, 600 (missed 330 bench 3rd att.). Good to hear someone had a similar experience, going in nervous but coming out bit by the Iron Bug.

[boody22]

Doing my first meet in 4 months....this thread has helped tremendously, especially with my nerves. Two things....can anyone show a website (that was not on powerlifting watch) that has some cool singlets to wear?

Also, can/should I wear a mouth guard? Any specific kind?

I'm in the OHIO 100% RAW Federation

[JRMoore82]

Just did mine on the 22nd.

My recommendation is too make sure you have a hand roller and icy hot and Tylenol. Missed my 1st attempt and injured on my 2nd bench. Those tools allowed me to get focused enough too hit it the 3rd time.

And get a handler. ANYONE. My daughter was mine. Paid her $20. Had her worry about the flights and stuff and it let me warm up with out a care.

[gnidliubydob58]

Thanks so much for this, Arlecchino. I've read several pl meet primers now and this is one of the best. My first meet is in a little more than a month and I'm gettin pretty stoked! I think for my first meet I'll open with a weight I can do for 5, then a weight I can triple, then my 1RM. Gotta keep the ol ego in check... haha.

[jrobb82]

subbed

Going to register to compete in my first PL'ing comp - comp is early April this year. So excited. So nervous. Have been putting this off for literally a couple of years.. always so worried that my lifts aren't 'good enough' for a competition but finally figured what the hey - just do it and don't worry about placing, being competitive with other lifters results etc just go and do one

The same place has a women's deadlifting comp a few months after which I will register for too. 2016 will be my year of finally realising some personal powerlifting goals.

[amgus9590]

Got my first meet in approx. 30 hours. Going for a state record and a 1008 lb total. Wish me luck!

[ChrisDoesLife]

Competed in my first meet on the 16th. Was coming back from injuries last year and wanted a warm up meet.

220 lbs. Weight Class
9/9 on lifts (Which was expected with me lifting sub-maximal weights).

Squat 370 lbs
Bench 290 lbs
Deadlift 450 lbs


Looking forward to my next meet in April where I hope to hit some PR's.

Here is the vid from my meet (Can't post vids, but you can paste the link):
youtube.com/watch?v=ZrkZ0WF2mYk

[canjad80]

Dumb question of the day: are there different sized barbells for men and women in powerlifting competitions?

In Oly, women use a smaller diameter 15kg bar. I'm thinking of trying out a PL comp this year (just for fun since I don't have the numbers to be competetice at this point). I wondered if it was the same in PL, or if everyone uses the standard 20kg bar. Bar size doesn't make much difference for bench or squat, but it definitely impacts my grip on deadlift.

[HateFilledHeart]

My first meet is April 2nd in Atlanta. I am already freaking out about it because my training is half powerlifting and half for hockey. I play hockey yes. How are newbie "light weight" lifters accepted at the meets by the seasoned people?

[Fiction2Fitness]

Dumb question of the day: are there different sized barbells for men and women in powerlifting competitions?

In Oly, women use a smaller diameter 15kg bar. I'm thinking of trying out a PL comp this year (just for fun since I don't have the numbers to be competetice at this point). I wondered if it was the same in PL, or if everyone uses the standard 20kg bar. Bar size doesn't make much difference for bench or squat, but it definitely impacts my grip on deadlift.

I don't know about every federation but the APA meet I watched in January, everyone used the same bar. They specify the bar in their rules too that meets must use an olympic bar with some specific designed bars allowed if fitting a list of standards. Diameter can't be less than 27.5mm and no more than 30mm, so not a wide range in width on the bars allowed, it seems.

I didn't get to see the deadlift portion but the squat was the same bar the whole time from the one attempting just the bar all the way to the gym owner's record breaking attempts.

[itsagoodday]

In Oly, women use a smaller diameter 15kg bar. I'm thinking of trying out a PL comp this year (just for fun since I don't have the numbers to be competetice at this point). I wondered if it was the same in PL, or if everyone uses the standard 20kg bar. Bar size doesn't make much difference for bench or squat, but it definitely impacts my grip on deadlift.

Everybody uses the same bars, yup. But... depending on the fed, they may be using specialty bars, so it would not be a standard 20kg bar. I can tell you in the fed I compete in, they do use specialty bars for every lift. The squat bar is very thick and sharply knurled, and is substantially heavier than a regular bar (65 lbs). The bench bar is also quite thick and heavier (50-55 lbs, I forget which). The deadlift bar is thinner than standard bars and bends more easily, but does weigh a standard 45 lbs. Again, that's just the fed I've been competing in. They will all be different. Some feds go in the other direction and will use a very stiff bar for deadlifting, for example. You can ask the meet director ahead of time about the bars, or they'll certainly tell you when you get there.

My first meet is April 2nd in Atlanta. I am already freaking out about it because my training is half powerlifting and half for hockey. I play hockey yes. How are newbie "light weight" lifters accepted at the meets by the seasoned people?

Newbies have always been very welcome at any meet I've ever been to. People support each other. If you have questions or need some help, you should find a lot of people willing to lend a hand. Good luck!

[ShaunSpawntane]

Great

[young1wisdom]

Have my first meet in May! Could anyone recommend a good program for peaking?

[AzurasStar]

Have my first meet in May! Could anyone recommend a good program for peaking?

My first meet is in May also! I'm planning on starting Candito's 6 Week Strengh Program 6 weeks out. Currently running Hepburn.

http://www.powerliftingtowin.com/can...ength-program/

[j0rdie]

Hey guys, so I'm 19, and I want to compete... Really what I want to do is smash the records in my state. I do not know my bench max though, I benched 315 for 10 reps last week (Jordy53 is my IG if you want confirmation) and really I don't know what to do. I'm 19, 228-230 depending on the day. And really want to compete and start breaking records in Florida. I currently do not use any supplements besides Monster energy before my workouts. I have a football background so that the main workouts I do, is those I remember from football. I was on weightlifting team in HS but all that was written out for me, when I look online for info it just seems people are trying to take money for I found 4 different sites that say "register here to be able to compete"... I don't know where to go from here. Besides try to find my 1rep max

[f00d]

I want compete around September, but don't know which weight class would be better (123 or 132). (my stats are accurate). I was told if I drop my bodyfat much lower (its 18 rn) it could start to effect my athletic performance. I don't know my 1rm for any of the big three lifts, but I am pretty sure its in the 400s somewhere from my 3 or 5 rep sets. I've been working out a few months, I think I am still in the area of rapid improvement, not sure though.

[weaguilera]

Awesome thread! I've been "training" for about 9 years now and decided to open a gym about 4 months ago. At the same time I picked up Powerlifting and made my gym for that purpose. Anyway, I have my first meet this Saturday and I'm very excited to keep this going, especially for our members. Our goal is to get Central California (Fresno County) more involved in the sport.

[MelAllTheTime]

Hi All,

I just registered for my first powerlifting meet coming up in September, after reading all the threads and articles that basically say, there is no best time to compete you should just go and compete against yourself! Super excited!

That being said, the particular meet is raw and the federation (USAPL) allows a belt, wrist wraps, and a single ply neoprene pair of knee sleeves in raw lifting (in addition to a singlet, underwear, socks and shoes.) However, I do not yet practice with a belt, wrist wraps or knee sleeves.

My question is, is it unusual for people to not wear gear that is allowed (such as a belt, wraps and sleeves)? I'd like to invest in higher quality gear that will last a long time, so I'm looking to get a singlet and maybe deadlift slippers first (I usually deadlift in socks), and saving up to buy the rest at a later date/adding the additional gear as my lift weights increase. Does anyone think this is not a good idea, and if so why?

Thank you!

[keddo126]

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