Powerlifting: Why You Need to Compete Now

[Squatter]

Usually I do not like to jump right into the middle of a debate, but I feel compelled to do so this time, since I just competed in my first meet last month at the age of 48. Steve & Al always encouraged me to take the plunge. Labels aside, I did it to just build my confidence, which was sorely lacking all my life, and to just meet people and have some fun. Up until that point, I have always considered myself to be a "weightlifter".

For me personally, training at a commercial gym and at home all my life, setting PR's and maxing along the way, but never competing, was night and day compared to lifting at an actual judged meet, with plenty of eyes watching, in an environment I had zero control over. I bombed on my opener squat of 365, a lift i have done a million times. I was so upset I started to shed tears. LtL and Steve were not there to give me advice and support. I even thought about leaving the event. This was not fun. I don't belong here as I am weak, mentally and physically. After collecting myself for a few minutes while in a facepalm, and a quick prayer to my late Mom, it was my turn again. I had to go for 365 again. I nailed it, but it felt heavy. I was wondering WTF is going on. I fail on my first 365, and the 2nd one is too heavy and I barely get it. Now I am in a panic state, as my number 1 goal was to get a 405 squat at a judged meet.

When I was deciding on my openers for the meet, many people on the other forum questioned it, saying why just 365? You tripled 405 last week, why are you selling yourself short? Surely, if you can triple 405 at home, you can do it just for a single at the meet. In hindsight, if I would have gone for the 405 on my opener, it would have been a complete disaster, even worse than the failed opener of 365.

So here I am, with a 365 under my belt, and I now have to quickly decide on my 3rd lift. I thought to myself, either I am going to leave here with my tail between my legs or I am going to leave here with my head held high and proud. The only way to accomplish the latter was to at least attempt my goal. Even if I miss, I had least showed some balls to try it, and I would still be proud. To leave without at least going for it would have left me with even less confidence.

When the judge said "bar is loaded" with the 405 is now one of the biggest turning points in my life. I nailed the lift, and according to many of the Powerlifters around me, with near perfect form. I cannot explain how this happened, other than to say it was the environment around me. One of the Powerlifters was so impressed at the comeback and my mental fortitude, he invited me to join his team here In Calgary. He is the head of the IPA (Independent Powerlifter Association) His name is Brian Johnston.

None of this experience could have been duplicated in a commercial gym or in my JimGym. It could have only happened at a meet, and I am all the better person for it. Everyone around me has noticed the difference, even my boss at work. I am now focused and full of drive and ambition.

After the meet and upon returning home, i of course joined the Powerlifting Gym, Strive Powerlifting, and the team. Just yesterday, Brian said to me I have a very bright future with the team and my lifting. I have also qualified and have been invited to represent Canada in my age and weight class of 110kg's at the WPC worlds in Las Vegas November 6th thru the 11th.

I am now one of the most happiest and confident "Powerlifters" on the planet.

My transformation took place at this meet, July 7th, 2012.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Squatter

My transformation took place at this meet, July 7th, 2012.

This post made my day. Excelsior!

[J_Byrd]

Originally Posted by Squatter

Usually I do not like to jump right into the middle of a debate, but I feel compelled to do so this time, since I just competed in my first meet last month at the age of 48. Steve & Al always encouraged me to take the plunge. Labels aside, I did it to just build my confidence, which was sorely lacking all my life, and to just meet people and have some fun. Up until that point, I have always considered myself to be a "weightlifter".

For me personally, training at a commercial gym and at home all my life, setting PR's and maxing along the way, but never competing, was night and day compared to lifting at an actual judged meet, with plenty of eyes watching, in an environment I had zero control over. I bombed on my opener squat of 365, a lift i have done a million times. I was so upset I started to shed tears. LtL and Steve were not there to give me advice and support. I even thought about leaving the event. This was not fun. I don't belong here as I am weak, mentally and physically. After collecting myself for a few minutes while in a facepalm, and a quick prayer to my late Mom, it was my turn again. I had to go for 365 again. I nailed it, but it felt heavy. I was wondering WTF is going on. I fail on my first 365, and the 2nd one is too heavy and I barely get it. Now I am in a panic state, as my number 1 goal was to get a 405 squat at a judged meet.

When I was deciding on my openers for the meet, many people on the other forum questioned it, saying why just 365? You tripled 405 last week, why are you selling yourself short? Surely, if you can triple 405 at home, you can do it just for a single at the meet. In hindsight, if I would have gone for the 405 on my opener, it would have been a complete disaster, even worse than the failed opener of 365.

So here I am, with a 365 under my belt, and I now have to quickly decide on my 3rd lift. I thought to myself, either I am going to leave here with my tail between my legs or I am going to leave here with my head held high and proud. The only way to accomplish the latter was to at least attempt my goal. Even if I miss, I had least showed some balls to try it, and I would still be proud. To leave without at least going for it would have left me with even less confidence.

When the judge said "bar is loaded" with the 405 is now one of the biggest turning points in my life. I nailed the lift, and according to many of the Powerlifters around me, with near perfect form. I cannot explain how this happened, other than to say it was the environment around me. One of the Powerlifters was so impressed at the comeback and my mental fortitude, he invited me to join his team here In Calgary. He is the head of the IPA (Independent Powerlifter Association) His name is Brian Johnston.

None of this experience could have been duplicated in a commercial gym or in my JimGym. It could have only happened at a meet, and I am all the better person for it. Everyone around me has noticed the difference, even my boss at work. I am now focused and full of drive and ambition.

After the meet and upon returning home, i of course joined the Powerlifting Gym, Strive Powerlifting, and the team. Just yesterday, Brian said to me I have a very bright future with the team and my lifting. I have also qualified and have been invited to represent Canada in my age and weight class of 110kg's at the WPC worlds in Las Vegas November 6th thru the 11th.

I am now one of the most happiest and confident "Powerlifters" on the planet.

My transformation took place at this meet, July 7th, 2012.

To me this is what powerlifting is all about!!!!!! It really doesnt matter if its 100 or 1000 on the bar, powerlifters pull for each other. When it all comes down to it, I really dont care what people call themselves. I just wish people would step outside their comfort zone and do a meet 1 time in their life. You will love the experiance.

Squatter are you doing the WPC words? I qualified as well, but passed on it to focus on another meet.

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by big valsalva

It made me sad that two comrades who I love and respect (Fazc and glwanabe) got into an exchange that, quite frankly, is beneath the dignity of this forum.

Thanks for your post, it really rang true with me. I hit the reply button at least a dozen times since this topic started, but kept thinking better of it. I get so tired of having to defend positions against guys that just want to yell louder than the next guy. I find myself [more and more] giving very short answers or just hitting the "rep" button rather than getting mixed-up in things. I guess I really am getting older, or maybe I need my T levels checked

[Squatter]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

This post made my day. Excelsior!

Originally Posted by J_Byrd

To me this is what powerlifting is all about!!!!!! It really doesnt matter if its 100 or 1000 on the bar, powerlifters pull for each other. When it all comes down to it, I really dont care what people call themselves. I just wish people would step outside their comfort zone and do a meet 1 time in their life. You will love the experiance.

Squatter are you doing the WPC words? I qualified as well, but passed on it to focus on another meet.

I couldn't agree more J, and this is what Steve was trying to convey to me when he convinced me to compete.

Yes, I am going. It would be really cool if someone from MAB was going as well. Just last month I met 2 members from the other forum, KD5NFW, and HDJoe, on my vacation in DFW Texas. They are 2 of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We had the vacation of a lifetime, due in big part to them and their wives. We lifted 3 times together, and we even inspired HDjoe to set a 30 lb Bench PR. That was really one of the biggest highlights of the trip for me.

Your so right that we all do pull for each other.

[austin.j.taylor]

without a meet to take into consideration, it’s much tougher to make the right call. Incidentally, in my experience, most non-competitive lifters will make the mistake of going all-out too often, leading to stagnation and injury.

Competitive lifters, on the other hand, tend to make much more progress year in and year out, because they not only know what they are doing, but why they are doing it. Elite and pro lifters know when to toe the line, and when to take a step back.

I agree with this moreso than anything else posted in theis thread. When I have something to train towards, my training is a ton better. I have been in a training slump/fog for about 7 months now for a lot of reasons. The most direct reason is that I dont have a meet/competition to train for directly.