You need to compete in your first powerlifting competion

I wrote about this last earlier in the year and everything I have witnessed in my first powerlifting season reinforces my view:  you aren't a powerlifter unless you nut up on that platform in front of peers and judges.

Competition changes your mindset and the way you go about your training. Below are the key reasons you need to get on the platform:


1. Gives purpose to your training: If you don't compete it's very easy to be satisfied with less than optimal results. It's also very easy to let deadlines and goals slide. Conversely if you know you have a comp in 4 months the clock is ticking and you damn well know what you need to hit in training to achieve your goals. 

2. Provides a great learning environment: Both in preparing for a meet and actually on the day of competition there is no better opportunity to learn. I found once I started lifting with the PTC Perth team there were so many invaluable tips they provided during preparation for states. Importantly the looming deadline of competition helps you focus on contextualising the information to enhance your lifts. Also on meet day there is so much opportunity to observe world class lifters and how they prepare and perform on the platform.

3. Strips away the bullshit: The platform brings honesty, there is no 'could have' or 'should have' only what you actually did. That means that touch and go bounce press with 3 plates in the gym that you tell all your mates about doesn't count. It's only what you paused off your chest in front of three judges and got the white lights for. In fact for me I don't look at best lift boards in the gym now unless its the three lift total from the same meet. In fact that's why I don't like push pull or single lift meets, they are lazy. The total should only count if you have had to squat, bench and dead all on the same day (oh and no token lifts)

4. Tests your character: Competing always brings the possibility of failure up there alone in front of all of your peers. Stepping up on the day and putting it on the line in front friends and family for 5 hours plus takes some guts.

5. Shows you the true meaning of team: Having experienced working with the PTC Perth team on an 8 week taper  prior to comp I can say there is nothing quite like the camaraderie that a powerlfiting team brings. Each session every guy/girl is willing you to get your planned numbers. Everyone of them is gathered around you as you  lift providing advice or support. The same is true on meet day as everyone is pushing each other to greater numbers.

So it doesn't matter if you are an average lifter like me, a junior, senior or masters just sign up for a meet and watch your training go to the next level.

Again I'll finish with another video from the recently completed ProRaw5 in Melbourne. This time its Dan Green squatting 385.



Weekends almost here.

Thomo