any powerlifters about?

[Julesni77]

I am due to compete in a rookie meet in 4 weeks time. I am working with my trainer and have had the worst time getting IPF approved knee sleeve to go over my massive calves finally suceeded with 5xl SBD ones😳

Have any of you lovely lifters any tips for a first time competitor?

I am not excited about the weigh in, but I’m sure all will be fine!!

What singlet does everyone go for? I’ve bought an SBD but not sure if I’ve gone for too big a size 😫😫 uncertain!!

I have A7 but SBD are v popular

I am loving reading about all you competitive powerlifters. I have only been powerlifting for a couple of years and I started at a pretty low base of strength (as in I couldn't rep the empty bar for bench press!!) so I dream of competing one day. I have made loads of progress so far and you're all my inspiration for what I could eventually achieve!

(@RayKray in my head you're always in your singlet looking badass!!)

Have to say the nerves are unreal today! I just packed my bag including 3 pairs of pants lol!

Mine is SBD but I’ve not put it on yet.

My old one was the cheapest approved one available and was a horrid shiny fabric. Maybe in my new one I’ll walk around feeling cool like @RayKray !

So much good luck @Julesni77 and please do follow up on this thread with a meet report. 💪🏼

You’ll smash it!! Most importantly, have fun!!

I do sometimes just put it on to feel cool but not they often. I can't believe you've got one but not tried it on though @erinaceus! I tried mine on the second it arrived!

Good luck @Julesni77 ! You can never have too many pants. Hope you really enjoy it, I'm envious

I will definitely post a meet report - will be Monday as I cannot post from my phone for some reason!

My singlet came from strength shop and is very shiny too - I have already decided if I don't complete again it will do for sea dipping lol

Good luck @Julesni77 I'm cheering for you! I hope you enjoy it.

Good luck @Julesni77 , and have fun! I'm looking forward to finding out how you get on
All the hard work is done now so just enjoy it!

Well I survived! And had an amazing time! You could not have met a nicer bunch of people so supportive of all the rookie lifters!

As i was the only master there they put all of us 84kg plus lifters in together and I got a silver medal - so chuffed!

Was a bit confused re the squats - I had put my deadlift socks on (mainly to cover my legs as i have awful veins) and after my first squat one of the officials got me to pull my socks down as they were touching my knee sleeves and i got 1 judge red light my second lift for depth (totally fair I know it was borderline myself) still passed the lift but was planning to get to 115kg on the 3rd - dialled it back to 110kg - easy white light prob could have went more but better to be safe!

Bench 1st 2 lifts felt great so decided to equal my gym PB of 57.5kg and there deffo was more in the tank then

Was more confident after that lift so increased my opener dead to 125kg with a view to lifting 132.5 on the second which would have achieved my 300kg target - that lift felt great so I had a feck it moment and went to 140kg for the last (a lift I had failed in training) and with a bit of a grind to lock out got 3 white lights!

So a total of 307.5kg well chuffed with that! And i know there is more in my squats and bench so I will deffo try another one! Thanks to everyone for all your tips and my tip would be you can never have too much water coffee or sweets - I really had t o force myself to eat a proper sandwich at lunch as I was so full of adrenaline.. ALL in all I could not have wished for a better experience!

Ahh this is amazing! 👏🏻 well done! Great total for a first comp too! Thank you so much for sharing. Have you got another one booked?

@2andadog no not yet - I don't think there is anything else I can compete in this year but once next year is up I will definitely. I am interested in trying a strong woman but not sure how far I can get with just normal gym equipment

Yay @Julesni77 !!! I'm delighted you had a good experience and felt welcomed and supported. And that you're pleased with your numbers too.

And yes there's rules like the sock/knee sleeve one. My belief is it's due to there being equipped and raw now, and the ways they are separated, and pushing the boundary between the two. Hence why your underwear has to comply too. But the refs are usually happy to explain these rules to newbies as you discovered.

I'm waiting on next year's calendar too.

I’m so confused with the different federations etc. Are there federations you aim for particularly? Can you qualify for A/BPU stuff at other feds events? Or is it kept entirely in the same fed only?

Ive got one coming up and then another early next year, both the same fed. However looking at qual requirements for A/BPU stuff I’d like to have a crack at those… my coach will no doubt know but I’ve been musing before I raise it with her!

Now there's a can of worms!

I'm IPF through and through. IPF (British powerlifting) is by far the biggest fed. It's also the only one that's fully tested (as in for drugs). And it's where the elite lifters tend to be.

APU/BPU have tested and untested parts.

They have different rules and IPF are generally seen as stricter. BPU you don't walk out your squat you use a different machine. They don't have the bench depth/feet in bench rules I think. And you can lift raw with wraps I think.

Some people see IPF as less fun. Generally the standards to get to national/international level and get records with BPU are lower.

I know people who lift in BPU and it's often to do with rules and atmosphere. But I love strict rules hence why I'm IPF through and through. And I think the atmosphere is great too.

Often it comes down to what gym you train at which you end up in.

There are various controversies to do with testing, and associating with people from untested feds if you're connected to IPF which make people cross.

And you can't qualify with one to then compete with the other as the rules/standards/testing policies are different. At an elite level if you've competed outside the IPF you have to wait a period of time before you're allowed in (due to the testing stuff)

You made me curious so was just looking at the ABPU (tested bit) qualifying totals and I qualify for everything easy, national and European. I'm 5kg off for British Powerlifting nationals.

And for records their national records in my class are lower than my division's records.

No shade, it's a hobby, people should do whatever makes them happy and proud and enjoy the sport.

Thanks @RayKray , that's really interesting. Yes I saw IPF have stopped bench set up with feet on the bench, which panicked me as it's how (i've just learnt!) how to set up and I didn't realise it was just IPF when I saw it!

The difference in raw/classic etc etc confused me as well haha! But will see how I find competing I guess before thinking much more into it, thank you!

Yeah I should smash the national quals and not be far off the europeans if all goes to plan which is what I was interested in, but I guess I need to find a fed and stick to it going forward!

Yeh for IPF international you have to be the best, be selected by beating other people rather than hit a total.

Are you open or masters (over 40)? British powerlifting have now changed British qualification in the open to also having to beat people rather than QTs. Thankfully masters is still QTs as I'd no way get in beating people. I'm very much at the bottom end of national level (when I get that last few kg)

I'm in my last year of competing in open! Just had a look at the IPF totals and WOW! The results I'd been looking at previously seemed pretty achievable in the Raw categories, but they're a different level!

Yeh they really vary. There's one fed where I've seen people win their world champs lifting less than I do.

The standard has gone up massively in the last few years. There's been a big boom which has driven up totals hugely over the last few years and as the biggest fed IPF is where that's happening. So I imagine the gap is widening.

All this chat is some informative thanks so much! Have any of you tried a strong woman??

No. I used to be tempted but I now just love standing on a platform doing a static lift rather than faffing with other stuff. I have friends who do and totally see the appeal. It's v cool.

My coach’s gym coaches strongwomen and has all the toys at accessible weights for beginners. I’ve never tried it.

Well done on your comp - excellent meet report 😁

Yes I believe that’s correct about knee sleeves and long socks not touching.

I would caution against doing too many comp prep cycles in a row. Some of my peers at my gym burned themselves out a bit, I think they did three meets in eight months or so. Comp prep is a lot of stress on the body and I think especially for masters lifters it’s a good idea to think about long term goals rather than compete every opportunity. At our gym we have unofficial comps every few months usually less than full SBD or sometimes a rep max and this gives some shape to training without being all the work of a peaking cycle.

Great job though I hope you are justifiably delighted 💪🏼