New to the sport

[N.O.V.]

Bench: without spotters and no wrist wraps 315. I have got more in me but usually do not have help in the gym.
Squat: Was 375 with belt and no spotter, have had a small hip problem so i have not hit heavy weights for awhile, but feeling good and getting back into heavy now.
Dead: Never really tried maxing out because my lower back is a tad weak, which i have been working on to fix, but i have pulled 365 with belt.

I am working on getting more help in the gym so i can push myself harder on those max lifts and last reps.

Find yourself a reliable spotter and test all your maxes. Use full range of motion and don't shortchange yourself. Remember, if you cheat, you cheat yourself. Wraps are fine if you're a raw lifter.. I always use wrist wraps, and use knee wraps only on my top sets (personal preference). Once you establish your true maxes, base all of your percentages off a training max (typically 90% of true max). What this does, is allow you to hit all of your prescribed reps and sets every workout.. regardless of whether or not you've got a spotter, feeling shitty, etc. To compensate for the lower percentage of the training max, I always go for max reps on my top set (technical failure, 1-3 reps in the tank) or work up to heavy singles.

 

[dzul25]

Find yourself a reliable spotter and test all your maxes. Use full range of motion and don't shortchange yourself. Remember, if you cheat, you cheat yourself. Wraps are fine if you're a raw lifter.. I always use wrist wraps, and use knee wraps only on my top sets (personal preference). Once you establish your true maxes, base all of your percentages off a training max (typically 90% of true max). What this does, is allow you to hit all of your prescribed reps and sets every workout.. regardless of whether or not you've got a spotter, feeling shitty, etc. To compensate for the lower percentage of the training max, I always go for max reps on my top set (technical failure, 1-3 reps in the tank) or work up to heavy singles.

Thank you for the info!! I will work on getting someone to lift at the same time as me or work on meeting someone who is usually there to work as a spotter for me. I am usually there fairly early so it is hard to find a reliable person.

 

[porky little keg]

I say this to everyone because it was the best advice I've ever been given...

Go find a team.


Go to any local meet and start talking to people. There are teams of guys training everywhere. You'd be amazed how many 2 car garages are out there with all sorts of great bars and a monolift with a good crew training a few times a week. A team will shorten your learning curve, stop you from reinventing the wheel, and will push you.

I spent years being " king of the commercial gym" and never got any better...... I found the best team in the area ( one of the best in the country) and in 7 months put 400 pounds on my total.

 

[uphillclimb]

I say this to everyone because it was the best advice I've ever been given...

Go find a team.


Go to any local meet and start talking to people. There are teams of guys training everywhere. You'd be amazed how many 2 car garages are out there with all sorts of great bars and a monolift with a good crew training a few times a week. A team will shorten your learning curve, stop you from reinventing the wheel, and will push you.

I spent years being " king of the commercial gym" and never got any better...... I found the best team in the area ( one of the best in the country) and in 7 months put 400 pounds on my total.

We can all help you with workouts and form etc... but listen to this man here^^^^

Look up the meets and go. Everyone for the most part is friendly and approachable (except me on a meet day while I'm on 80mg of halo).

Warning: once you start getting into this sport, it's REALLY FUKKIN ADDICTIVE

 

[Turbolag]

Welcome to the board man.

You should definitely start up a journal in the members section.

Like Porky said, go to a meet and network with the people there. You might find a group of people training right down the road from you. But, then, you might have to drive a little farther to train with a group.

Its worth it either way though. The environment of training with people focused on the same goal as you just makes your lifts better.

 

[cmeliftheavy]

Keep us posted, as requested start a log.

As you I am new to the "powerlifting" I have one event underneath my belt epic moments in my lifting journal. Already prepping for for state open, always good to have event/meets to shoot for.

 

[dzul25]

Keep us posted, as requested start a log.

As you I am new to the "powerlifting" I have one event underneath my belt epic moments in my lifting journal. Already prepping for for state open, always good to have event/meets to shoot for.

Hey brother. I have a log going in the Member Online Journals section of this site. It is titled "Loggin Time".