Aspiring Powerlifter

[IronManlet]

Just the other day I had an epiphany, of sorts. haha

I want to compete in powerlifting. I don't care if my lifts suck right now, this is what I want to do! Realistically, I expect myself to end up in the 165lb class for my near-future meets; I'd like to try simply building strength at a certain weight. All the cutting/bulking makes my head spin.

I'm not entirely sure how far I'd get in powerlifting (breaking a record would be a dream for me), but I'm sure as hell willing to find out! If there's one thing I am, it's bloody stubborn.

Current lifts: (I'm not entirely sure about my ORM; will be testing them in a few weeks.)

Bench: 165x5
Squat: 250x3
Deadlift: 325x3

I'm not super experienced, as I've only been training for 5 months; but I'm going to start a new program next week that I'm sure will help me improve. Especially on that Bench...


I had a question about my first meet: I know a lot of people will tell you to just go out there and do your best, since your first meet is just that; your first. However, I would also like to place well in my first one if at all possible. I think I'd be competing in Ontario Powerlifting federations, since that's where I live.

So what would you say would be a respectable number range to try and hit at my first meet if I was around 165lbs in weight? I would like to be competing raw, in a drug-free competition.


So yeah...that's the skinny on me! I'm really excited to be a part of all this. Who knows? Maybe I'll set a record some day.

And thanks to everyone who runs this site! It's got a lot of useful information, and everyone's really supportive here as well. Can't believe I never found it before.

[cooltom]

Congrats on deciding to do a meet. My first will be at the end of June. As far as a "respectable total," don't worry about it. You don't want to have some number in your head that you must have before you are "allowed" to compete. I'm assuming your young and so if you compete against others your age, and thus likely to have similar experience to you, you will have a chance to be competitive. The experience will probably be worth it not because of the total, but because of what you will learn at the competition.

Once more, I haven't competed yet, but I look forward to it as an opportunity to learn more about lifting and to meet some new people (especially those that can help me). As far as my total, I'm keeping my goal very modest.

[IronManlet]

Originally Posted by cooltom

Congrats on deciding to do a meet. My first will be at the end of June. As far as a "respectable total," don't worry about it. You don't want to have some number in your head that you must have before you are "allowed" to compete. I'm assuming your young and so if you compete against others your age, and thus likely to have similar experience to you, you will have a chance to be competitive. The experience will probably be worth it not because of the total, but because of what you will learn at the competition.

Once more, I haven't competed yet, but I look forward to it as an opportunity to learn more about lifting and to meet some new people (especially those that can help me). As far as my total, I'm keeping my goal very modest.

I see what you're saying; it's true, you can compete at any number.

Yes, I'm a pretty young lifter. (Newly 18) I think I can use this to my advantage, since I'll be making a lot of newb gains for the rest of the year that I can put to good use.

I'm aiming to try my hand at my first meet sometime next year, if possible. I have no idea what my total will be; I don't really have a specific target one in mind.

[cooltom]

Well, at your age, and if you are not competing until next year, your lifts will probably dramatically increase by the time you reach the platform. Some of the younger guys on this site have made mind-blowing gains because they consistently work hard. I'm sure you will do the same.

[BendtheBar]

Congrats on your decision to compete. Make your first lift something you can nail easy, that's about all I know

Here are some state raw records:

State Records

The "record" total for 165 in Alabama is 1045.
The "record" total for 165 in Georgia is 1165.

I would say anything over 800 (which is where you are) stands a good chance of placing high in a meet. You'll place much better then you expect. Depending on the competition, you could even take 1st.

[bwys61]

your openers should be your last "heavy" warm-up that you normally would do for 3 reps in training. Be very careful with the bench press, as pausing raw and with a shirt are very two different feelings.

have records in mind to break on your second attempt(usually 5 or 10 lbs better than your PR).

Good luck. Remember to deload a week and a half out, and rest at least for 5 days going into the meet

Originally Posted by IronManlet

Just the other day I had an epiphany, of sorts. haha

I want to compete in powerlifting. I don't care if my lifts suck right now, this is what I want to do! Realistically, I expect myself to end up in the 165lb class for my near-future meets; I'd like to try simply building strength at a certain weight. All the cutting/bulking makes my head spin.

I'm not entirely sure how far I'd get in powerlifting (breaking a record would be a dream for me), but I'm sure as hell willing to find out! If there's one thing I am, it's bloody stubborn.

Current lifts: (I'm not entirely sure about my ORM; will be testing them in a few weeks.)

Bench: 165x5
Squat: 250x3
Deadlift: 325x3

I'm not super experienced, as I've only been training for 5 months; but I'm going to start a new program next week that I'm sure will help me improve. Especially on that Bench...


I had a question about my first meet: I know a lot of people will tell you to just go out there and do your best, since your first meet is just that; your first. However, I would also like to place well in my first one if at all possible. I think I'd be competing in Ontario Powerlifting federations, since that's where I live.

So what would you say would be a respectable number range to try and hit at my first meet if I was around 165lbs in weight? I would like to be competing raw, in a drug-free competition.


So yeah...that's the skinny on me! I'm really excited to be a part of all this. Who knows? Maybe I'll set a record some day.

And thanks to everyone who runs this site! It's got a lot of useful information, and everyone's really supportive here as well. Can't believe I never found it before.

[IronManlet]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Congrats on your decision to compete. Make your first lift something you can nail easy, that's about all I know

Here are some state raw records:

State Records

The "record" total for 165 in Alabama is 1045.
The "record" total for 165 in Georgia is 1165.

I would say anything over 800 (which is where you are) stands a good chance of placing high in a meet. You'll place much better then you expect. Depending on the competition, you could even take 1st.

Thanks for the link! Good to know what kind of things I can expect to be up against.

I'd probably be ecstatic for weeks if I took 1st place. haha

Btw, what kind of weight-jumps do you think is optimal for your lifts in a meet? Also, is there somewhere I can find a warm-up template for meet lifts or something? Not entirely sure how to warm-up for meet attempts.

[IronManlet]

Originally Posted by bwys61

your openers should be your last "heavy" warm-up that you normally would do for 3 reps in training. Be very careful with the bench press, as pausing raw and with a shirt are very two different feelings.

have records in mind to break on your second attempt(usually 5 or 10 lbs better than your PR).

Good luck. Remember to deload a week and a half out, and rest at least for 5 days going into the meet

Thanks a lot for the advice.