First powerlifting meet: lessons from a debut competition
Powerlifting is an honest sport: the barbell either moves or it doesn’t. This story sums up Meelis Susi’s first competition experience so that what remains is the results, the nerves, the organizational chaos and the simple lessons every beginner powerlifter should know before stepping onto the platform.
Why does powerlifting feel different at a first competition?
Hi, Estonian strongmen. Meelis wrote a few lines back then about what happened at The IPO National, Powerlifting, Benchpress & Deadlift competition. It wasn’t a sterile mega-arena but a local sports hall, where on 3 May people gathered from all over Ireland and England. There were foreigners too, including Poles and Meelis.
Weigh-in took place on site for those who couldn’t make it the day before. Meelis arrived at 9 in the morning. At first it looked like there were only a handful of competitors. Then came the surprise: the hall was about 20x35m2, with seating for around 50 people and 50 competitors in total across the categories Male&Female/Teen/Junior/Open/Master. The logical question was: where is the audience supposed to fit?
Something else stood out right away. There was no warm-up room to be seen anywhere. Everyone was bustling around, there were no familiar faces, and information had to be gathered piece by piece. It did become clear that the competition wouldn’t finish before 8 in the evening. Meelis only had time off work until 4. A day like this tests your nerves before the first squat.
Powerlifting on competition day: what actually happens?
As more and more people streamed in like ants into a nest, there was less and less room. The local gym’s management arrived with warm-up racks and barbells. These were set down in the corridor. When squatting, the wall was right in front of you. Honestly, that doesn’t sound comfortable, but the competition had to be run and everyone had to make do.
The competition was supposed to start at 11. The pace was fast and many Irish records were set. At 12 it was Meelis’s flight: seniors 82.5kg. Meelis weighed 79.9kg and was full of nerves, because it was the first time doing powerlifting.
Small details only became clear on the spot. A T-shirt and long socks are mandatory. Meelis, of course, had neither, so they had to be borrowed. Hunger kicked in too. At one point Meelis had to go to the shop 2 times to buy sandwiches. Earlier, Meelis had even laughed at why one woman had dragged along a big box of bananas and cookies. On competition day, a box like that quickly starts to make a lot of sense.
Squat, bench press and deadlift
The first attempt was a squat of 185kg. Meelis didn’t want to load more, because the first competition was meant as a test of his own limits. The goal was to get a solid base, not to overplay it right away.
Then came a long break until the bench was done. The clock had already struck 3. The first attempt was 110kg, the second 117.5 fail and the third 117.5 fail. 110kg went on the record. In hindsight it was easy to see that going straight to 117.5 was too bold. 115kg might have been the smarter step. A simple truth: people always learn from mistakes.
There were only 2 competitors in Meelis’s group. The other was an Irish lifter with a body weight of 81kg, who squatted 160kg and benched 120kg. The deadlift warm-up began when it was already 4 30. In the meantime Meelis had to call the boss to say that getting to work would be delayed, because the last deadlift was still ahead.
The first deadlift attempt went down as 205kg, the second 215kg and the third, long-awaited one 220kg. Meelis was very happy with that, although it felt like 5kg more would have been a different world. It was 6 30 when everything wrapped up and it was time to rush off to work.
Practical lessons for beginner powerlifters
A first competition teaches fast. First of all: check your equipment in advance. A T-shirt, long socks, belt, shoes, the rules on lifting straps and every other little thing shouldn’t be sorted out only once you’re in the hall. If something is missing, the day can turn stressful before the attempts even begin.
Second, food and time. A competition can drag on. If you’re told the finish will come late, it’s worth planning for. Don’t laugh at bananas, cookies or sandwiches. A long day, breaks and nerves burn more energy than a normal workout.
Third, attempt selection. The first attempt should be a sure thing. The second can be a working attempt. The third is the place to take a risk if the previous one went well. Meelis’s example of 110kg, 117.5 fail and 117.5 fail shows well why too big a jump can cost you the result.
The final result was strong nonetheless. The other man deadlifted 195 kg and finished with a total of 475kg, while Meelis’s total was 515kg. The win was secured, although the big numbers in the Master category and the awards ceremony went unseen. There were no photos either, since there was no personal cameraman.
Powerlifting FAQ
Is it worth going to a first powerlifting competition with a small margin in reserve?
Yes. A first competition is more about gaining experience than chasing perfect numbers. A safe opening attempt brings calm and helps get the day going.
What should a beginner bring to a competition?
Bring rule-compliant clothing, long socks, the necessary equipment, and food and drink. A time buffer is equipment too. Without it, the day quickly becomes tense.
Can the organization of competition day affect your result?
It certainly can. A small warm-up area, long breaks and a lack of information drain energy. A good plan doesn’t remove nerves, but it helps you cope with them better.
Author: MEELIS SUSI – original text, unchanged!
Source: Turg.Fitness.ee
Come work out! ArtGym
