3 Truths Lifters Hate Hearing When They Decide To Start Powerlifting

1. Just because you want to be competitive doesn’t mean you deserve to be competitive. I talk with lifters who are looking to get into the sport and they mention wanting to compete at nationals within their first year of competing. Newsflash: if it was that easy to get to a high level meet like that, would it be worth

1. Just because you want to be competitive doesn’t mean you deserve to be competitive.

I talk with lifters who are looking to get into the sport and they mention wanting to compete at nationals within their first year of competing.

Newsflash: if it was that easy to get to a high level meet like that, would it be worth anything? Would you even be proud of achieving at that high of a level with such minimal effort?

You wouldn’t expect to play football once and end up in the NFL, so why are you trying to be the best without first paying your dues?

For reference, as an 82.5kg/182lb male, you need to total 762.5kg/1681 to even show up to nationals in the first place. That number will only get higher with time.

I don’t think that the ambition to do well in a sport is wrong at all, but I do strongly believe that building to a high level of performance in a sport can and should take time and you need to earn your place on that stage. Even for the best in the game, Powerlifting isn’t some 2-year endeavour.

The building process for powerlifting is as follows:

  • Compete in your first meet (an “open” or “rookie” competition)
  • Once you have competed in your first meet, in order to move to the next level (state/provincial championship), you must acheive a qualifying total based on your federation’s rules.

    Here’s a link to the qualifying standards in British Columbia, Canada for reference
  • After acheiving the QT for provincials/states and competing there, you are eligible to compete at regionals as long as you set a regional level qualifying total (typically higher than provincial/state total)
  • After competing at a regional powerlifting championship, you are eligible to compete at nationals as long as you have acheived a national level qualifying total
    • some federations require you to not only hold a national QT, but to also compete at regionals and/or provincial championships within the same calendar year to qualify for nationals.

2. You don’t actually NEED more than shoes, socks and a singlet to compete.

Yes, a belt, some tight sleeves (like the Inzer Ergo Pro or A7 Rigor Mortis) will help you lift a bit more weight but if you haven’t even done a meet yet, your goals with meet #1 should be as follows:

  • to get some experience on the platform
  • to not bomb out (failing all 3 of your attempts on a single lift)

To sign up for a meet, you need a singlet, some high socks (to cover your shins on deadlift) and some shoes to lift in. All said, this is something you can do for less than $100.

No amount of equipment will change your lack of experience with the competition process and I have personally watched brand new lifters wearing $600+ of new equipment make complete fools out of themselves and get outlifted by someone who knows what they’re doing who is wearing the bare minimum.

Belts, fancy sleeves, color matching outfits are all fun but nothing will outperform true strength and competence.

After your first meet is complete and you are on your way to becoming a versed powerlifting competitor, worrying about totals, personal records, state records all become viable but until you understand and have experienced the process of preparing and participating at your first powerlifting meet, these will only serve as distractions that risk you having a bad day and hating the sport.

3. You should NOT weight cut.

Unless you’re in a position to break a record, podium, or take best lifter (based on GL points/dots), then weight cuts should NOT be on your radar.

Cutting weight just to end up mid pack in the next lower weight class adds unnecessary complexity and variables to an already roller coaster ride of a day and increases your risk of bombing out.

At your first powerlifting competition, you’ll have enough stress thrown at you and new experiences to cope with that trying to rehydrate on top of all of that is likely to just throw you off your game.

Just don’t.

PS – Here’s 2 ways I can help you:

1. Follow me on Instagram (@strongeryoupt) for free lifting advice, programs and more powerlifting content.

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It takes less than 60 seconds to apply HERE in order to find out more information and see if you’d be a good fit.