1st meet, how to choose attempts
 

Doing my first meet in a few weeks, how should i choose my openers?

was thinking:
1st: 85-90%
2nd: small pr
3rd: all out

I think this is taken from a Louie Simmons quote but it is the advice I was given before my first meet:

1st attempt - Something you could triple. If you are sick as a dog on the day of the meet, you should still be able to lift this.
2nd - 5lbs PB
3rd - Balls to the wall

LtL has it covered.

congrats on deciding to compete.

best of luck

As of right now, you have no meet PRs. Play it safe the first 2 attempts, then make your decision for your 3rd after that. Take your best triple as an opener, ab out 95% of your max on your second, then take a 3rd you feel you will get. Its your first meet, worry about the total!

Good info. I'm thinking about doing a meet in March

With your strength numbers in the gym, it would be great to see you cross over from time to time. Its lifters like you who are well rounded that are great for all strength sports!

My biggest mistakes came on benching. I went too heavy on my second attempts. Form now on I plan to use my second attempt to try 5 pounds under my gym paused PR.

I also would consider going lighterish on your first deadlift attempt to save your back.

thanks guys.

My touch and go bench was 335 about 3 months ago, hit 350 to 1 board a couple weeks ago, and did 300 for 5 singles paused today.

Squat, not sure where i am at. 405 a few months ago, but that might be up now.

Deadlift 475 a few months ago, but my training has been feeling super strong. My back is jacked up right now, so i will just take it easy.

was considering opening 350/300/425

2nd attempt: 410/325/500

3rd (assuming i hit the 2nd lifts) 440/350/525

Slightly off subject, but it can affect your decisions......
The most common mistake I see from new lifters at a meet is beating the commands.

What you can do for a touch and go in the gym, and what you can do when you have to wait for a referee to give you signals, can be very different.

You might want to practice taking all three lifts with commands several times before you hit the platform.

Best of luck Bill!!

My personal opinion would be to get a decent number in for that second squat. I wouldn't take any risks. Mentally if I low-balled the squat because I missed my second and third attempts I would have a harder time focusing the rest of the meet.

I am more conservative than most, but there ya have it :) I would probably go with a 2nd squat attempt that you have done in the gym.