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Preparing for Your First Powerlifting Meet

Mini Forklift Ⓥ

Mini Forklift Ⓥ

The Veganator
Dec 23, 2012
4,313
730
Written by J.Styler and C McGuigan

The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the important things for you to consider on competition day.


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Entering
Be aware of the competition date and entry requirements well in advance. I suggest lifters plan/outline their competitive year in January, many lifters even rank the meets in order of importance so they can make sure they are at their best for the ones that matter the most. Make it your own responsibility to enter the event on time. I have seen lifters disappointed when they miss deadlines and are unable to enter events, there is nothing more frustrating after the dedication of a lengthy build up.

Making weight
Lifters will often look to lift in a particular weight class. This is usually for competitive reasons or to break records or set personal records. Strategies to make weight are numerous and varied and I will endeavor to cover some of the more common ones at a later date.

My advice to novice lifters is to lift in their natural weight class and not to drop too much weight in the days leading up to an event. This will lead to the inevitable loss of strength and stress. Restricting food intake on the morning of weigh in is fine if you need to lose a few hundred grams. Weight loss of a kilogram or more will take at least 12 hours, it can be done but that approach is best reserved until you have had a few competitions under your belt.

Let’s assume that the weigh in is at 9 am in the morning. I would suggest have a fairly normal breakfast at about 7.30 am unless your weight is borderline. Then eat immediately after your weigh in, you can emphasise foods with a higher sodium content here as the extra sodium will aid hydration and allow you to hold a little water.

Weighing in
IPF events usually have a 90-120 minute weigh in period and the order can often be determined by lot draw. I suggest weighing as soon as you can so that you can eat and use the spare time to your advantage. If you need to lose a few hundred grams following your weigh in then this is best achieved by some form of cardio that raises your body temperature. As noted above, any extreme attempt to lose too much weight should be avoided if at all possible.

Food on the day
I advocate keeping things relatively normal on the day. Look to eat foods such as bananas, nuts and creamed rice to give you some sustained form of energy without becoming bloated. I typically fill my bag with fruit, mixed raw or lightly salted nuts, protein shakes, electrolyte drinks and water, bear in mind you will probably be there for a good portion of the day. I usually drink a strong coffee immediately following the weigh in as I don't drink coffee from six weeks out from a meet.

Avoid too much sugar. Canned energy drinks are popular but avoid these if you do not usually consume them. Supplements are also popular so it is up to you to ensure that they do not contain any banned substances.

Equipment
I'd really encourage novices to lift raw. If you choose to use equipment then it is essential that you have used it in training. Tight squat suits and bench suits need to be “dialed in”. There is no way that you can attempt to master this equipment on the day. Ideally you should have (or have access to) spare equipment in case that equipment blows.

Knee wraps should be rolled in advance of attempts. I recommend having a couple of pairs that you are used to and having them rolled and ready to go, there is nothing more stressful than dropping wraps when the clock is ticking. If you are using any wraps make sure they meet the requirements of the federation you are lifting in.

Warming up
Warm up early and have a plan. These are two very simple but effective pieces of advice:

I like to be ready early. You don’t want to be getting your squat suit on when you receive the bar loaded call. Plan your time so that you have 5-10 minutes to spare. I like to work up to 90% of my opening attempt. I am astounded by those that like to do their opener or even more in the warm up. That is crazy to me! There should be absolutely no doubt that you can lift your opener.

Helpers
I like to have a helper (a support crew if you like), if possible it should be your training partner or coach. They should be familiar with your lifting rituals and there to support you for the whole of the day.

Attempt cards
Fill out your attempt cards with as much detail as possible before the lifting commencing. This will allow your helper to enter just the weight of your next attempt. Remember that you have just one minute to get your next attempt in following completion of your lift.

Making your first attempt
As noted above, there should be no doubt with your first attempt. In the case of your squat, the depth should be rock bottom. In the case of your bench, the pause should be ridiculously long. In New Zealand we have a number of referees who need no encouragement to give red lights. So you need to take away the option. Leave them in no doubt. This will also give you a huge confidence boost. There is no fun coming back to re-take your first attempt.

Should you miss your first attempt, re-take the same weight. Under no circumstances should you jump up in weight ~ take that risk at your own peril but it usually ends in disappointment for the lifter.

Attempts two and three
There are varying views on attempts two and three. Personally, I like to nail my second attempt also. That means I want it to be something I am pretty confident I can get. Attempt three should be a personal best if the first two attempts have gone to plan, you'll probably be feeling pretty good by that stage if all has gone well up to that point.

From an overall point of view, anything more than a 6 out of 9 day is a good one. 7, 8 or 9 are obviously even better. Less than 6 usually means you are below expectation.

Your final deadlift
Powerlifting rules allow you to make two changes to your final attempt prior to the bar being loaded. This is to allow you to jockey for final placings with those in your class. It is something which can work in your favour but it can be high risk if you get it wrong. I recommend working closely with someone who is experienced and has a good grip on what you are capable of.

Reflection
Immediately after a competition is the best time to reflect on your performance and set goals for the future. These might be related to your individual lifts and/or total or moving up a weight class. I am always very inspired in the 48 hours after a competition so use this time wisely and as your launching pad for your career. You do grow from your mistakes and all the things that go wrong; if everything always ran smoothly you would never learn, grow and become accustomed to adapting to situations when they arise.

The above represents a few things to consider on competition day. I have two rules for myself these days:

- to do my very best
- to have fun


The hard work has been done prior to competition day. This along with thorough planning and hard training should bring good rewards.
 
Go Away

Go Away

MuscleHead
Dec 28, 2011
4,935
1,057
Right on time! Ran outta thanks for the day... But good look.
 
Mini Forklift Ⓥ

Mini Forklift Ⓥ

The Veganator
Dec 23, 2012
4,313
730
Thanks guys, I hope you got something from it... mainly don't get completely smashed the night before, roll into bed at 3am, wake up an hour before the meet and skip breakfast.

And before you ask yes, that has happened before to one of my mates. Needless to say he didn't have the best day on the platform. Live and learn.
 
ChrisLindsay9

ChrisLindsay9

MuscleHead
Jun 17, 2013
2,773
1,144
A few questions/advice needed.

First, the dumb question. Boxers, boxer briefs, or tighty-whiteys under the singlet?

Second, regarding food during the day. I have observed that pizza is a staple food that's provided. However, I'm lactose intolerant. So instead of risking crapping my pants during my bench and deadlift attempts, I'm thinking that I should bring some sort of snack for carbs. I'm going to have some protein shakes and bananas as well. I don't like nuts, so I was wondering if maybe some trail mix (pretzels, Cheerios, Chex) would be sufficient for carbs? Any other suggestions? I'm going to be staying overnight in a hotel so I won't be able to bring anything that needs to be chilled beforehand or will go bad after 24 hours.

Third, since I am going to be in a 132 weight class (outside chance 123 weight class), I am guessing that I will be among the first to start lifting. Does this give me any sort of priority during warm-up? Or is it first-come, first-serve, and I just take my turn depending on where I'm at in line?
 
Enasni

Enasni

TID Lady Member
Feb 10, 2014
306
72
I take it there's no chicks up first?
Anyway, as regards the priority in the warmups, I've found you find the guys in your weight class, and work in together if equipment is limited. So everyone gets a go at the lighter stuff to warm up and they drop out as the weight gets too much for them. (I'm in a heavier women's weight class so end up going to the end, but we all work together). If there's heaps of equipment, get there early and stake ya claim. Then let others join you as you please.
For food supplies I normally take some protein shakes and dates - just coz I like em. I'm normally a bit too amped up to eat much anyway.
As for undies, your best pair. Coz as my mum always said, always wear clean undies because you might get run over by a bus.
 
Rottenrogue

Rottenrogue

Strongwoman
Jan 26, 2011
6,595
1,882
For strongman between events I like to bring pb&j , glucose tabs , oranges and bananas.
 
PillarofBalance

PillarofBalance

Strength Pimp
Feb 27, 2011
17,066
4,640
A few questions/advice needed.

First, the dumb question. Boxers, boxer briefs, or tighty-whiteys under the singlet?

Second, regarding food during the day. I have observed that pizza is a staple food that's provided. However, I'm lactose intolerant. So instead of risking crapping my pants during my bench and deadlift attempts, I'm thinking that I should bring some sort of snack for carbs. I'm going to have some protein shakes and bananas as well. I don't like nuts, so I was wondering if maybe some trail mix (pretzels, Cheerios, Chex) would be sufficient for carbs? Any other suggestions? I'm going to be staying overnight in a hotel so I won't be able to bring anything that needs to be chilled beforehand or will go bad after 24 hours.

Third, since I am going to be in a 132 weight class (outside chance 123 weight class), I am guessing that I will be among the first to start lifting. Does this give me any sort of priority during warm-up? Or is it first-come, first-serve, and I just take my turn depending on where I'm at in line?

I like under Armour boxer briefs under the singlet. In all seriousness it's just to keep my junk in line.

For food protein shakes and banana can be good. Some salt is a good idea. I like pretzels salt and vinegar chips and beef jerky. Peanut butter and jelly sammiches are good.

Start warming up whenever you need to. Be selfish about it. Guys in the flights after you won't be warming up when you need to. Just get in there and do it.
 
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