Post by 3speed on Nov 29, 2015 19:31:37 GMT -5
This is specifically aimed toward people who are considering doing their first meet. Some of the info will be applicable to veterans as well.
Just find a meet that is fairly close to home and enter. Don't worry about whether or not you are strong enough to compete or whether you are "ready". The truth is, if you wait until you're ready, you will never enter a meet. None of us are ever where we want to be.
Although I consider 100% RAW to be the best federation to lift in, for your first meet, pick one that is close to home if possible. I don't think it matters which federation as long as it is a reputable fed. You have enough to deal with without having to deal with traveling long distance to a meet. Once you have decided to enter a meet, go to website of the federation running the meet and READ THEIR RULE BOOK. Pay particular attention to how the meet is to be run (the order of competition, how the flights are set up), what you are allowed/required to wear (singlet, deadlift socks), and how the lifts are to be performed (start vs press command, etc). You will find that there are specific requirements for the performance of each lift that are going to seriously impact the amount of weight you can lift. Nobody is as strong at their first meet as they think they are.
KNOW WHAT THE COMMANDS ARE AND PRACTICE FOLLOWING THEM IN THE GYM BEFORE THE MEET
For heaven's sake, don't worry about "cutting" or making weight for your first meet. Leave cutting to the experienced veterans. No matter what you have read from some keyboard guru, you will lose strength if you cut and the idea should be to find out how strong you are and not how much weight you can give up. No one is as strong in their first meet as they think they are. Like a poster on another site commented, if you have visions of appearing on cereal boxes or having nubile young females tearing their clothes off as they chant your name, get over that right now. Your first meet isn't about winning or even how you place. It's about learning. It will, quite possibly, be the single greatest learning experience of you powerlifting career.
Make sure ahead of time that you know where the meet is being held. Make sure you get there early. Make sure you pay your entry fee early - meets have a date cutoff for entry and a lot of them limit the number of entries they will take. Get to the meet site early. Get to weigh ins early. Make sure you attend the rules briefing held just before the meet and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. If you have anyone going to the meet with you, make sure someone is carrying a little cash. Most meets charge a small entry fee for spectators.
Your Bag. Pack your bag no later than the day before the meet. At a minimum, you should have 2 or 3 tee shirts, your singlet, lifting shoes, deadlift socks, any wraps you plan on using and a belt if you use one. I also like to include a pair of sweat pants and a loose fitting sweat shirt. You never know how hot or cold the venue will be. Additionally, I usually include deodorant, a hand towel and an extra pair of underwear just in case. You never know. A limit deadlift can do weird things.
I also pack a cooler - plenty of Gatorade and water, some fruit, protein/carb bars and a few PB&J sandwiches.
You will usually have to give your opening attempts when you weigh in. Make them light. You cannot reduce the weight of your attempt once the meet starts. If you do not complete at least one attempt for each lift, you will not be allowed to continue. Making your openers keeps you in the meet. There are any number of things that can/will screw up your lifting at the meet. Unless you are lifting in your home gym, the squat rack will be different than what you are used to - the bench, the bars and the commands will all be different/new to you. Once you complete your attempt on the platform, you have 60 seconds to turn in your next attempt.
There will be 3 judges for each attempt. They each grant a white light (good lift) or a red light (no lift) to each attempt. You have to receive at least 2 white lights for your attempt to count. Look at the lights after each attempt. If you get a red light, ask the judge why. Any judge worth anything will be happy to explain why he gave a red. Just don't wait. Ask as soon as the lift is over. I probably won't remember 4 hrs later why I red-lighted the 3rd lift on the second round of the 1st flight. If you miss a lift, handle it like an adult - a disappointed adult, but an adult. Do not curse on the platform. Do not yell and scream about how life is so unfair and how you just got robbed out of months of training. I guarantee you a quick exit from the meet if you do.
Just find a meet that is fairly close to home and enter. Don't worry about whether or not you are strong enough to compete or whether you are "ready". The truth is, if you wait until you're ready, you will never enter a meet. None of us are ever where we want to be.
Although I consider 100% RAW to be the best federation to lift in, for your first meet, pick one that is close to home if possible. I don't think it matters which federation as long as it is a reputable fed. You have enough to deal with without having to deal with traveling long distance to a meet. Once you have decided to enter a meet, go to website of the federation running the meet and READ THEIR RULE BOOK. Pay particular attention to how the meet is to be run (the order of competition, how the flights are set up), what you are allowed/required to wear (singlet, deadlift socks), and how the lifts are to be performed (start vs press command, etc). You will find that there are specific requirements for the performance of each lift that are going to seriously impact the amount of weight you can lift. Nobody is as strong at their first meet as they think they are.
KNOW WHAT THE COMMANDS ARE AND PRACTICE FOLLOWING THEM IN THE GYM BEFORE THE MEET
For heaven's sake, don't worry about "cutting" or making weight for your first meet. Leave cutting to the experienced veterans. No matter what you have read from some keyboard guru, you will lose strength if you cut and the idea should be to find out how strong you are and not how much weight you can give up. No one is as strong in their first meet as they think they are. Like a poster on another site commented, if you have visions of appearing on cereal boxes or having nubile young females tearing their clothes off as they chant your name, get over that right now. Your first meet isn't about winning or even how you place. It's about learning. It will, quite possibly, be the single greatest learning experience of you powerlifting career.
Make sure ahead of time that you know where the meet is being held. Make sure you get there early. Make sure you pay your entry fee early - meets have a date cutoff for entry and a lot of them limit the number of entries they will take. Get to the meet site early. Get to weigh ins early. Make sure you attend the rules briefing held just before the meet and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. If you have anyone going to the meet with you, make sure someone is carrying a little cash. Most meets charge a small entry fee for spectators.
Your Bag. Pack your bag no later than the day before the meet. At a minimum, you should have 2 or 3 tee shirts, your singlet, lifting shoes, deadlift socks, any wraps you plan on using and a belt if you use one. I also like to include a pair of sweat pants and a loose fitting sweat shirt. You never know how hot or cold the venue will be. Additionally, I usually include deodorant, a hand towel and an extra pair of underwear just in case. You never know. A limit deadlift can do weird things.
I also pack a cooler - plenty of Gatorade and water, some fruit, protein/carb bars and a few PB&J sandwiches.
You will usually have to give your opening attempts when you weigh in. Make them light. You cannot reduce the weight of your attempt once the meet starts. If you do not complete at least one attempt for each lift, you will not be allowed to continue. Making your openers keeps you in the meet. There are any number of things that can/will screw up your lifting at the meet. Unless you are lifting in your home gym, the squat rack will be different than what you are used to - the bench, the bars and the commands will all be different/new to you. Once you complete your attempt on the platform, you have 60 seconds to turn in your next attempt.
There will be 3 judges for each attempt. They each grant a white light (good lift) or a red light (no lift) to each attempt. You have to receive at least 2 white lights for your attempt to count. Look at the lights after each attempt. If you get a red light, ask the judge why. Any judge worth anything will be happy to explain why he gave a red. Just don't wait. Ask as soon as the lift is over. I probably won't remember 4 hrs later why I red-lighted the 3rd lift on the second round of the 1st flight. If you miss a lift, handle it like an adult - a disappointed adult, but an adult. Do not curse on the platform. Do not yell and scream about how life is so unfair and how you just got robbed out of months of training. I guarantee you a quick exit from the meet if you do.