I want to compete...

[James Paul]

But I have no idea where to start.

It would be super low amateur of course.
I don't know where my numbers should be. I have no cosch or anyone helling. Doint it all alone. Where would I try to compete. Like. What the fuck do I do haha

Sorry it is so vauge. But it's like, I can't ask the questions because I don't know what I don't/need to know.

[Cellardweller]

I've only competed a couple times, so I'm no expert. Everytime I've done it solo like yourself though. A meet is pretty much an all day thing with lots of down time so people will come and go to watch you, but won't stay for the whole thing.

the first thing you need is an actual meet. Powerlifting Watch is a good place to start

http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/meets-filter

Find something 12 or more weeks out from now so you can train and peak for the meet. When you sign up you should have the opportunity to join whatever federation sanctions the meet. So you pay for the meet AND to join the federation. If you love it and want to compete again try to find another meet sanctioned by the same fed so you don't have to pay another fee.

Gear you will need is a singlet, a decent belt (check out the belt thread in the training section), and other supportive gear that's allowed by the federation. The first couple meets I did didn't allow knee wraps for raw squatting, but the last one did. Read the fed's rules on line and make sure you go to the rules meeting prior to the meet. You don't want to show up for your first flight of squats wearing knee sleeves only to have them make you take them off on the spot. That will only hold things up and annoy the judges. You will also be lifting to the commands of the judge. This will be new to you. For bench I recommend taking a lift off from the spotter because the spotter will keep you honest and not give you the bar until the judge gives that command. I blew my first bench press in my first meet by jumping the gun. There's a slight pause at the bottom of the bench press too. You can't press until given the command. Its good to watch until your turn to get a feel for how long a pause the judge is giving people. Your meet bench PR will probably be lower than your gym touch and go PR so expect that. Don't get down on yourself over it either since it's a different animal. My meet bench PR is 15lbs lower than my gym one. Train with some paused reps.

Again, it's usually an all day thing so make sure you have food. Sometimes food is sold or provided at the meet, so make sure you're covered. Pack some Animal Whey in a shaker and Rage XL or Fury to give you a kick in the ass. You can meal prep too.

Remember to have fun. That's what it's all about. Don't worry about "being a super low amateur," don't worry about a weight class. You won't be the only person there doing it for the first time. As for weight, usually it is recommended to open with something you could do 3 reps with. Your opener should be easy and confidence boosting. Don't doubt there's a mental side to all this. You only have to submit openers ahead of time. From there you can auto regulate things. After you hit your opener you tell them what your next attempt will be for that lift depending on how great you felt. I would save the PR attempt for the last attempt though. Or don't go for a "PR" since this is your first time so whatever you do will be a meet PR. Crush that in the next meet. Your goals are fun and experience.

There will be a warm up area. You may have to be a bit aggressive getting in there and taking a turn. How much you warm up is up to you. Don't worry about guys lifting more than you. You are competing with yourself, not against them.

The last thing you need to do is watch and learn. Even only competing in a few meets I've seen people go for a PR on their first attempt, fail. Then proceed to fail the next 2 attempts and bomb out of the meet. Some guys get crazy, some are quiet and all business. There will be all kinds of different people competing too. Guys, girls, little kids and even seniors. The last meet I did I watched a 67 year old guy break the state record for geared bench press then break his own record in his next attempt. Remember you're only competing against yourself. This is not like other sports. You'll find strangers cheering for you and you'll be cheering for other people. You will want the next guy to make his lift. Its really a cool sport like that. You will probably walk out having made a couple friends too.

I hope this helps

[Gooners85]

The vast majority of lifters at a local-level meet are going to be first timers, so there really isn't any reason to feel that your numbers aren't good enough or you won't be competitive.

[npcdusty]

assuming your talking powerlifting, Pick a meet and do it! Never worry about numbers till you have a base line and always work to beat those. There are plenty of programs out there to run, pick one and run it for a meet. Cube, 5/3/1 and so on...

But I have no idea where to start.

It would be super low amateur of course.
I don't know where my numbers should be. I have no cosch or anyone helling. Doint it all alone. Where would I try to compete. Like. What the fuck do I do haha

Sorry it is so vauge. But it's like, I can't ask the questions because I don't know what I don't/need to know.

[JHOORNSTRA]

yep, just go in there rested and ready to hit the best numbers you can. They will go over all the rules, if you mess up, who cares, you won't after that and it's a fun yet great learning experience. Once you do your first you'll love it and start to learn more and more about it and then try to beat your numbers. Don't worry about cutting unless you're like 1 or 2 lbs off of a weight class, but just go there and have fun because that's what it's about.

[Cellardweller]

Did you ever hit the platform James? Tell us how it went

[James Paul]

Did you ever hit the platform James? Tell us how it went

unfortunately I haven't gotten the chance yet.

I missed my chance to go watch one. Then I got the word I was getting medicaly discharged from the Navy. So I have been dealing with that and trying to find a job at the same time.

I'm still training almost every day. But at least my numbers have gone up a little lol.
Squat 410lbs- 455lbs
Deadlift 455lbs-500lbs
Bench, was put in hold. Traveling and food poisoning effed me up lol

So now I'm looking for meets in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina.

Thank you guys for the advice and actually checking on me! Love the family this site has.

[Cellardweller]

Keep hitting it hard and let us know when you do compete.

[James Paul]

Keep hitting it hard and let us know when you do compete.

Will do!
I'm looking for meets now. But usapowerlifting.com has their dates mixed up. When I click on "Details" or "Register" beside each meet. Some sites aren't listing the same dates as usapowerlifting.com.
Example. Usapowerlifting.com list one for September 1st. Then the site it takes you to doesnt have any listened for the 1st of September
So I'll probably have to wait to compete until October or November. They're the only dates that match

[Cellardweller]

Sometimes you have to contact whoever is putting the meet on. I’ve had to bounce texts back and forth to get registered.

[James Paul]

Sometimes you have to contact whoever is putting the meet on. I’ve had to bounce texts back and forth to get registered.

I did just that and he replied telling me he had more paper work on his end to do. Thank you!

Sorry for so many questions. But that you all so much for the help.

This SHOULD be my last question.
On the registration it says "Full Powerlifting Main Division" at $100 and "Full Powerlifting 2nd Division" at $35.
Dumb question. But which should I do?

[Bean]

This SHOULD be my last question.
On the registration it says "Full Powerlifting Main Division" at $100 and "Full Powerlifting 2nd Division" at $35.
Dumb question. But which should I do?

I could be wrong but I just wanted to guess before the real lifters that have a correct answer hop in here. My guess is- The 35$ 2nd division is in addition to the main division. Like if I wanted to compete in the 220 class and heavyweight class. Like I said...I am probably wrong but I just like guessing at times. Keeps the brain firing.

[BigChrisF]

I did just that and he replied telling me he had more paper work on his end to do. Thank you!

Sorry for so many questions. But that you all so much for the help.

This SHOULD be my last question.
On the registration it says "Full Powerlifting Main Division" at $100 and "Full Powerlifting 2nd Division" at $35.
Dumb question. But which should I do?

I could be wrong but I just wanted to guess before the real lifters that have a correct answer hop in here. My guess is- The 35$ 2nd division is in addition to the main division. Like if I wanted to compete in the 220 class and heavyweight class. Like I said...I am probably wrong but I just like guessing at times. Keeps the brain firing.

Bean is correct. What that means is the first category that you register for is $100 and each additional is $35 more. Like if you initially register Mens/Open/308/full power it will be $100. If you also want to compete in Mens/Masters 1/308/full power then it will be $35 more. Or maybe Mens/Open/308/Bench only or whatever else you want.

Side note- Unless the meet director has some pretty flamboyant trophies or extravagant meet location, $100 is a bit much for a local level event. Especially if they aren't drug testing.

[James Paul]

Bean is correct. What that means is the first category that you register for is $100 and each additional is $35 more. Like if you initially register Mens/Open/308/full power it will be $100. If you also want to compete in Mens/Masters 1/308/full power then it will be $35 more. Or maybe Mens/Open/308/Bench only or whatever else you want.

Side note- Unless the meet director has some pretty flamboyant trophies or extravagant meet location, $100 is a bit much for a local level event. Especially if they aren't drug testing.

Oh ok. Thank both of you for the help!

I don't know when I'll get to compete, so my gym goals are up in the air right now. No program or anything ready.

Yea. I don't know whats a lot or too much for registering or anything.
Thank you again everyone!

[BigChrisF]

Yea. I don't know whats a lot or too much for registering or anything.

In my experience, small-venue, local-level events are $50 or less, depending on what kind of meet t-shirts or awards they intend on having.
We used to have one every year that was put on with the sole intent of trying to attract new lifters. No trophies or medals for placing or meet t-shirts. It was $15 and I think $10 for under 18.

[James Paul]

In my experience, small-venue, local-level events are $50 or less, depending on what kind of meet t-shirts or awards they intend on having.
We used to have one every year that was put on with the sole intent of trying to attract new lifters. No trophies or medals for placing or meet t-shirts. It was $15 and I think $10 for under 18.

Oh dang. The one I was looking at is $100 and you have to buy the shirt for $15

[spartan300]

These gentlemen here are a wealth of knowledge. Use them. They can provide you with valuable insights! Unfortunately I did very little powerlifting in my day. But if I can be of any help feel free brother. Good luck on your path to ENLIGHTENMENT!