Powerlifting: Why you should compete

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Powerlifting Weights at Australian Powerlifting Championships
Weight Plates in Meet Warm-up Room

As a strength athlete, there is nothing quite like stepping onto the lifting platform to compete in the sport of powerlifting. So why should you make the big leap from gym rat or bodybuilder to power-lifter ?

You are not a powerlifter until you compete

Competition is the key aspect of any sport, you would not consider yourself a footballer or a hockey player unless you played games of those sports so why would powerlifting be any different. You can train the “Power Lifts” but you are not a powerlifter until you step onto the platform to be judged.

Competition Improves Powerlifting performance

There is nothing quite like the Adrenalin rush of stepping on stage to lift. Not only does the prospect of being judged push you to the next level, but the support of all of the other lifters at the event can push your performance to massive new personal bests.

Competition improves training structure

Your training for a meet puts a focus on the difference between actual training and working out. With a set date to compete, most lifters are far less likely to skip a session in the gym, but rather work far harder to meet goals.

An honest critique of your lifts

When you step onto the powerlifting platform, there is no room for a poor half arsed lift. Squatting to high ? you will quickly receive reds across the board.  If you want a truly  honest appraisal of your squat depth, get on the platform and see what the judges have to say.

Bench press is another big problem area for those who only ever lift at their local gym, there is a big difference between a touch and go gym bench press (that is if the bar even touches the chest) and a paused on command powerlifting bench press.

Most Importantly you should compete because, it is FUN

 

When should you compete in Powerlifting ?

so you now know why you should compete, but what about when you should step onto the platform for the first time ?

You should not put off competing with the excuse “I don’t want to be the weakest lifter” or “I am to small/big” your first competition is a massive supportive learning experience. Once you have learned how to complete each of the “Power Lifts” with good form, and had basic instruction and practice lifting within the rules of the sport Powerlifting, then you can compete.

What you should know for your first Powerlifting Meet.

If you are located within the Gympie area and have an interest in becoming a Powerlifter, I can be contacted via this Blog, via Facebook, or at Gympie City Gym during training sessions.

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melvs

I have been a fan of Arnold “the Terminator” Schwarzenegger, and I was envious of guys like you to have a nice body, it is okay even though I have scoliosis, I can be able to lift weights, I just don’t know how far or how many repetitions so that I will not add additional pain, from what i am enduring right now. Is there a competition fro scoliosis patients like me hehehe. Kidding aside, continue your efforts to get that perfect body because it is also God’s commandment. 1 Timothy 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is… Read more »

cthebigpic

Would you mind doing a post on the competitions available in a year and your experience in them? For example, I would be curious to know how your first experience was like, and any major mistakes or regrets that you had plus lessons learnt from them. You make a great point about the competitions. I have never looked at it that way. I mostly play football and chess. And there is no way you can call yourself a footballer or chess player if you only play by yourself. You are so right! There is also nothing that can push you… Read more »

reutyn31

This topic here is a pure power booster, not just for power lifters nor for newbie power lifters, but for everybody in need to be lifted to compete. Brace it to yourself that whenever we compete,it sure has some moral values to teach. Thanks.

Franco777

Nice tips. I have learned today that competing improves the skills of powerlifting. I think this fact applies to many other physical exercises out there. There was a time when my karate trainer asked me to compete but I did not agree since I had very few tactics. I now learn here that competition improves performance. I think I will adopt this practice.

ianavee2

Absolutely! That’s how it goes. You should join any type of competition if you really want to improve your skills and your perception with your passion. Criticism is inevitable and as a professional powerlifter, you should be able to accept different point of views.

SpeedofSilence

Do you have any tips for combating the pre-competition jitters? Especially for someone who has never competed before. Also, what would you say is the biggest etiquette item for competitions?

JeffreyMaximo1

After the win of a Filipino power lifter Hidilyn Diaz in 2016 Rio Olympic Games I am become curious about this sport. I become a fan of her after her win and hear her story. Hidilyn comes from a not so wealthy family in the Philippines, when she is still young, she always saw her family that is also a power lifter preparing to join the contest. She gets her first bronze medal when she competed in the Southeast Asian Games last 2007. Power lifter for me is one of the most difficult sport, because you need to be mentally,… Read more »

sager

Thank you for the insight! I had thought about competing professionally locally to challenge myself, but I was quite hesitant and put off by the broad difference among the competitors. Some are obviously professionals, while others seem like a crowd of clueless newbies. But, yeah, if you think of it as taking a part into a festival, rather than going for a first place right away, it helps! A great way to meet new people or even your future training buddies! Still, I need a bit more practice to go for it… You never win, if you do not try,… Read more »

Katie Pina

Ever since I can remember my father has been a bodybuilder, powerlifter. It’s always intrigued me, how he did different things. The techniques, and the amount of weight one man can lift absolutely amazed me. When he was in his early 30’s he was able to pull a car with tow strap and his bare hands. Still to this day I can’t understand why he wanted to be so strong. He worked out 12 hours a day 7 days a week, while my mother provided for our family. Working out was what he called “His Job” however most don’t see… Read more »

MomoStarr16

It is important to compete if you are seriously focus to powerlifting. In that way you can maximize your happiness by meeting a lot of people that have the same hobby like you.

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