Meet coming up in March

[LilTank13]

Hey all

I am not new to the forum, just like to lurk more than post. I have decided to compete this spring, at the Battle of the Great Lakes. I am not a member of any sanctioning bodies, but this is an open meet. I am going to go raw in the 165# class. I have been having trouble with my training lately. My squat is continuing to stay strong, but my deads have gone down a little. I got sick and missed a training day, but after two weeks back, I still haven't fully recovered. I don't know if it is mental or what, but I am started to get worried about not meeting my expectations going into the meet. Any advice?

[Sonny]

Well hard to give advice when not much detail is known but this is what I get from your post-

You say your deads are down from being sick. How are you deads down? You sound like you are maxing too often since you did not say DL training weights are more difficult to hit those numbers for the week etc. Also, your dead should not go down as quick as your SQ or BP. It just doesn't, some don't even train it for a few weeks before a meet so some might be some mental. Also, you were sick and you have til spring. Follow your workout program and make adjustments where it is needed. Some days are good some days are not, it is part of the game.

Best of luck at the comp and congrats for competing. It should be a lot of fun.

[LilTank13]

Thanks for some of the advice. Our training has varied quite a bit, but here is a sample.

For two weeks we do plate pulls, where we stand on a 100lb plate and lift off that. For two more weeks, we work at close to max for two to three reps for about 3 sets, and for two weeks we go as hard as we can. The thing is, the weight I used to do for two to three reps, I could barely budge for this two weeks. My squat has gone up, and my bench has stayed pretty steady.

I didn't want to add a lot of detail because I didn't want to be one of those guys that only has three or four posts under his belt but is trying to sound big by putting the weights he lifts. The last post is greatly appreciated, and I hope that with a little better idea about our training, more advice can be offered.

[Sonny]

Everyone is different, but it sounds like you are using different ranges, which is good...off plates, from the floor etc. But, it looks like you go close to max for 4 weeks in a row. DL take more from the CNS than anything else.

Suggestions/ideas: Rotate heavy week SQ with "lighter" DL, then "lighter" SQ with heavy DL. This helps you recover a bit. Or do mini-cyles where you increase for three weeks all going heavy then take a deload week. There are many ways. Some people only pull every other week others pull every week,some 2x per week etc. got to see what works for you. It is impossible to continue to gain week in and week out, but if you are going backwards for a training cycle than adjustments need to be made. I would though stick with a training philosphy for some time to see if it is successful for you so you have more to base changes on.

Just giving you ideas. Remember, it is better to undertrain than to overtrain. Once this happens, it will take weeks to recover.

Oh, and don't worry about posting numbers etc unless they are higher than mine! LOL!

[LilTank13]

Sonny

Thanks for the input. It is good to hear some ideas on training that are different than what I have come up with. I am going to try your suggestions with the "heavy" sq. and "light" dead days. I am so excited to compete. I need to order a singlet still, and was wondering where to go. I know monster muscle has some, but I don't want to get laughed out of the place because I only weigh 165 haha. Any advice in this area? Thanks for all the help man, I owe you.

[Sonny]

Sonny

Thanks for the input. It is good to hear some ideas on training that are different than what I have come up with. I am going to try your suggestions with the "heavy" sq. and "light" dead days. I am so excited to compete. I need to order a singlet still, and was wondering where to go. I know monster muscle has some, but I don't want to get laughed out of the place because I only weigh 165 haha. Any advice in this area? Thanks for all the help man, I owe you.

I think this may help you stay fresh if that is a problem. for ex Monday Heavy SQ, Friday light DL then next week Monday light SQ and Friday heavy deads. Rotate it so you DL light before the contest week if youare going to run this type into your meet.

I will pm you some links for singlets.

[LilTank13]

Just wanted to check in and let everyone know how things are coming.

The meet is this Saturday, the 29th, and I already have butterflies. I am at weight, and ready to go. I decided not to lift this week, and am at the gym just hanging out... I WANT TO LIFT BAD! It is all good, though. The singlet arrived in the mail last week, and I finally got over the mental aspect of my deads. I am very lucky to have the support of everyone on here, and those at my gym. I would like to say thanks to the brotherhood of iron that I have, as I know they have made me stronger. All that is left is to go win.

[Sonny]

Very cool bro!:cool:

Remember, you have already done the training and you are ready. Do not get thrown at the meet or loose confidence. Sometimes after a break the weights feel heavier-they are not. They are the same as in the gym. Pick easy openers to get the ball rolling and stay in the meet. No mercy!:x

[fitzgahome]

Like Sonny said your opening lifts should be something you know you'll get and then from there just move up accordingly. You'll have a blast. Take your MP3 player and listen to something that pumps you up right up until your lift then walk out there and smoke it. Make sure you listen to the commands on the bench b/c I see a lot of people rack the weight before they give you the rack call and the lift won't count. Just take it nice and easy. What ever you do lift what you want and don't have any regrets b/c theres always next meet.

[LilTank13]

Thanks again for all the help. I am ready to go. I am just flat out excited. I will keep everyone posted as far as how this goes.

[usf97j4x4]

Good luck!

Remember, there is no point in being alive if you cannot wear the singlet.. or do the deadlift... or something

[Sonny]

Good luck!

Remember, there is no point in being alive if you cannot wear the singlet.. or do the deadlift... or something

I think if Jon Pall Sigmarsson were still alive, he might be upset. ;)

[LilTank13]

Well, for my first time out, not so bad. I ended up squatting 315, and failed at 345 (I know that my squat is REALLY low), benched 315, and dead lifted 445. It wasn't a great total, but enough to win. I am going to do another meet in June, but this time I am going to go 181. It was a great experience, but a little unorganized. Overall, I am glad to say I have done one, and look forward to more. I have caught the bug.:o

[Sonny]

Well, for my first time out, not so bad. I ended up squatting 315, and failed at 345 (I know that my squat is REALLY low), benched 315, and dead lifted 445. It wasn't a great total, but enough to win. I am going to do another meet in June, but this time I am going to go 181. It was a great experience, but a little unorganized. Overall, I am glad to say I have done one, and look forward to more. I have caught the bug.:o

:cool:

Those are nice numbers to build on, you should feel pretty good. One comment, I don't know if you went 315 then to 345 but that is a fairly large jump % wise ~10%. Try jumping 5% on attempts. Some jump big, some don't. Having done a meet I would say you can guarantee your numbers will increase. Hopefully you kept tract of you training for this meet and make changes or keep things the same depending.

[fitzgahome]

That's prett damn good in the 165 raw class. On powerlifting watch ur squat would put you at #19, bench #13, deadlift #23. Congrats man. Those would be the current rankings for this year. Keep it up each meet will become more comfortable and they're all lots of fun. Train hard and lift strong. Good Job.

[usf97j4x4]

I think if Jon Pall Sigmarsson were still alive, he might be upset. ;)

lol... didn't he die DOING a deadlift?

[Sonny]

lol... didn't he die DOING a deadlift?

Yes, but at least he commited to making the lift.

I think he had some other issues that contributed to he untimely death...

[LilTank13]

That's prett damn good in the 165 raw class. On powerlifting watch ur squat would put you at #19, bench #13, deadlift #23. Congrats man. Those would be the current rankings for this year. Keep it up each meet will become more comfortable and they're all lots of fun. Train hard and lift strong. Good Job.

Thanks everyone for the input. What website can I check that out at? I am really excited to do the next one. The training has changed quite a bit, and we are going to work with more speed training on squats. It was kinda funny. One of the kids at the meet weighed in at 148 and hit 450 on bench told me to quit lifting like a bodybuilder. I just had to chuckle. For not doing much powerlifting training, I'd say I didn't do badly.

[Sonny]

Thanks everyone for the input. What website can I check that out at? I am really excited to do the next one. The training has changed quite a bit, and we are going to work with more speed training on squats. It was kinda funny. One of the kids at the meet weighed in at 148 and hit 450 on bench told me to quit lifting like a bodybuilder. I just had to chuckle. For not doing much powerlifting training, I'd say I didn't do badly.


check your pm' s for the site fitz is referring to. You need a subscription (like $12 yr i think?) to view the ranking lists. It is nice becasue they break it down into raw, single, multi so you will not be ranked against that kid if you did it raw etc. Also some feds will not be listed due to (how to say it) lose standards. Although IMO some others should be left off too but it really does not mean that much anyways except for some comparision. Everyone knows different fed standards.

[DriverDan]

check your pm' s for the site fitz is referring to. You need a subscription (like $12 yr i think?) to view the ranking lists. It is nice becasue they break it down into raw, single, multi so you will not be ranked against that kid if you did it raw etc. Also some feds will not be listed due to (how to say it) lose standards. Although IMO some others should be left off too but it really does not mean that much anyways except for some comparision. Everyone knows different fed standards.
I was able to view the top 50 lists without a subscription. I was pretty surprised how low the totals are for the 148 class. The top 10 are pretty crazy but once you go down the list it drops quickly. I didn't think 1000 lbs would be ranked that high. Right now I'd be in the top 25 and my bench is damn weak.

[Sonny]

I was able to view the top 50 lists without a subscription. I was pretty surprised how low the totals are for the 148 class. The top 10 are pretty crazy but once you go down the list it drops quickly. I didn't think 1000 lbs would be ranked that high. Right now I'd be in the top 25 and my bench is damn weak.

You are right. The current ones can be viewed-lol! I never knew. Unfortunately raw is not as popular now. Also the lighter classes are not as competitive. Having said that 1000 total raw at 148 is pretty good.

[LilTank13]

I am currently with the USAPL. I don't mind it, but one of the judge's sons was competing in the meet, and he was coaching him while judging. The kid wasn't in my weight class, so I didn't care, but it was a little shady. I checked USAPL's rankings for last year, and I was very suprised with how I did. I can't wait to go 181.

[Sonny]

I am currently with the USAPL. I don't mind it, but one of the judge's sons was competing in the meet, and he was coaching him while judging. The kid wasn't in my weight class, so I didn't care, but it was a little shady. I checked USAPL's rankings for last year, and I was very suprised with how I did. I can't wait to go 181.

I do not think that is allowed? If the kid is like 12 or something that is one thing but....at best it looks bad. Glad to hear you are excited and are going to continue.

[LilTank13]

Well, I think I may be doing another competition. This time I am going 181. It should be a little better for me as far as strength goes, and I think my g/f may be doing the comp. too! The competition is in November, so we'll see what happens by then.

[Ski]

Hey that is great and the g/f too? :cool:
HOw did you ever get her interested in this?

I'm getting ready for one in October, got my wife a coach pass so she can help me with putting on the suit and shirt. :D


Good Luck and keep us informed.

[LilTank13]

Well, due to the fact that the meet would cost us a total of around $150 in entry fees alone, I think we are going to wait until March and hit the Battle of the Great Lakes. My girlfriend works out with my group of friends all the time and is looking at the state record for bench at 114lbs raw. That is the only reason she is interested lol.

[Ski]

That is not bad for the both of you, I have to pay $130 just for me. When you add in the suits, shirts and briefs, chains and bands I bought this past year I spent oclose to $1000!
I hope these suit last me for at least 3 or 4 meets but training in them I doubt it.
The girl looking at a State record in the bench that is great, wish you both luck.
Keep us informed.