mspuzz
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by mspuzz on May 18, 2010 13:08:00 GMT -5
Hello all, thank you for your previous replies to my last post. What I need now, as I approach my 1st ever bench meet, is some advice on my attempts. I've been training rest pause for the last couple of months, which was new to me. I have done a touch and go of 350 lbs., but in training for this meet I followed a program using percentages. During this time I've tripled with 315, and singled with 335 fairly easily. I'm thinking of opening with 315, going to 335, then to 355. Does this sound too ambitious? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by dbunch on May 19, 2010 9:09:53 GMT -5
I would attack it just a little differently, I would still open with 315, the goal of the first lift is to get on the board so you want to go with something that you can hit without too much sweat. On my second lift I think I would go a little higher 345 instead of 335. My thought process is that if you get closer to you goal on the second lift you can be more daring with you third and if you miss the third lift you still have a decent number. For my third lift I would plan 355, but if 345 was really easy I might just go for 360 or if I really had to work for it, I might back it off to 350. Either was I think this method will allow you to maximize your score for the event
Disclaimer: I do miss about 60% – 70% of my third lifts but I never feel like I left anything on the platform.
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Post by adamprice88 on May 19, 2010 13:08:04 GMT -5
I disagree with dbunch, but only because this is your first meet. 345 may be a bit too much for you and then you're screwed for the meet, and you want this to be a positive experience.
Is your goal to win, or is it to put up a PR? That is the question you need to answer before you can figure out your game plan. Watch your competition and see what they do for an opener, and then watch what they put up for a second attempt. Also, have a friend or training partner watch the lifting to see how easy guys are putting up their weights. If a 340 would win it for you, and you miss on 345, you've effectively shot yourself in the foot. But if you've got guys killing 365 on a second attempt, you might as well go for broke and aim high.
Either way, your most important goal is to have fun, meet new people and enjoy the experience.
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Post by dbunch on May 19, 2010 13:47:23 GMT -5
LOL – without a doubt there is more than one way to skin a cat. I don’t disagree with Adam – I’ve just never had to concern myself with that type of game play because I’ve never had any direct competitor at a meet. So my goal has always been the PR.
I do have to agree with Adam whatever you do have fun
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Post by adamprice88 on May 19, 2010 13:54:05 GMT -5
Oh absolutely, if you can hit a PR, that's the most important thing for sure. But if you're unsure, and you have a legit shot of winning, then it's time to play it safe.
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mspuzz
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by mspuzz on May 19, 2010 18:28:00 GMT -5
dbunch and Adam, thank you so much for your input. This being my 1st meet, I'm beyond nervous! I'm not conceited enough to think I could waltz in and win the whole shoot'n match on my first try. I'm just looking to get some experience under my belt, and not make a fool of myself, so I guess I'm actually just going for a PR. I can be somewhat of a competitive person though, so we'll see how things play out with the other lifters before I decide how to proceed after my opener. Thanks again guys.
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Post by chancey on May 19, 2010 19:14:55 GMT -5
Considering it's your first meet I think that is a logical choice. You probably coulg go a bit heavier on the 2nd. Maybe 340. Nice to have a 3rd lift in mind but I've always said that lift is a gameday decision based on how you feel.
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setter
Junior Member
Posts: 65
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Post by setter on May 20, 2010 15:51:03 GMT -5
Have fun and best of luck at the meet. Im sure you'll be hooked after the meet.
Ryan Hale
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Post by dbunch on May 21, 2010 12:00:05 GMT -5
let us know how you do
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mspuzz
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by mspuzz on May 22, 2010 17:00:00 GMT -5
Will do. Thanks again for the advice and encouragement
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mspuzz
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by mspuzz on May 29, 2010 21:35:17 GMT -5
1st meet in the books! I dropped 21 lbs. in a little over 2 weeks in order to compete at 220. I weighed in at 219.3 on the 28th. I opened at 314.something (they did the weights in kilos). I did not realize that the effect of the weight loss on my strength would be that great, but the weight that I normally rep with felt like a ton on that 1st single lift. This made me rethink my strategy and I made my second attempt at only 330. I struggled greatly with the 330, but I got it up with 3 white lights. A great guy named Luis was at the meet with his kids and some other children that he trains. Luis came up to me and gave me a couple of quick tips. I went up the minimum (336) and with Luis's tips, it went up easier than the 314 did! Thank you so much for the help Luis. I won my division and set a New York State record in the process. Can't wait for my next meet, I plan on adding at least the dead lift at the next one.
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Post by chancey on May 30, 2010 20:04:42 GMT -5
Congrats on a great 1st meet. I think we all would have warned you about that weight loss. My philosopy is go with what got you there.
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Post by dbunch on Jun 3, 2010 16:08:35 GMT -5
Great work, although I have to agree with Chancey about the weight loss. The best part is that you have a base line to work with now to set some goals for your next meet.
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Post by sayagain on Jun 3, 2010 19:46:10 GMT -5
Great job! It's an addicting sport. Now you've got something to beat next meet.
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Post by toolpod on Jun 9, 2010 9:42:30 GMT -5
Congrats on getting the first meet out of the way! Echo what Chancey and the others said...dropping weight can decimate your strength...and dropping 20lb+ and still making 330...that's phenomenal!
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mspuzz
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by mspuzz on Jun 9, 2010 12:58:41 GMT -5
Thanks again for all of the advice and encouragement! I'll know better next time about the weight cut, won't do that again, at least not in such a short period of time.
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Post by stinee67 on Jun 26, 2010 10:58:34 GMT -5
Great 1st meet. Congrats
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Post by 2ndeffort on Jul 30, 2010 10:20:05 GMT -5
Also completed my first meet (since 1981!) in June at ICG bench bash in Canton,Oh. I'm 49 and competed in 242lb. class at a 232 actual wt. Started lifting at the prompting of my son back in October. At first my goal was to get a 300 bench again. (Had gotten 350 when I was 20 yrs. old) That goal took only a couple months. I got 380 at the end of May in gym. Then at the meet made lifts of 325,350,before missing 385. This was first time using a pause and it set me back a little. I entered the RAW meet in Salem,Oh. coming up in August. Battling some nagging shoulder issues though which are responding to some exercises,ice,Ibuprofen.
Congrats on your first meet and a great one at that! It's a blast getting back at this as a middle ager and the people you meet at the comps. are great!
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