Powerlifting Meet Worth It?

[JurisSquatter]

I thought it would be cool to compete in a powerlifting meet but the more I look into it, the less I want to do it. The cost/travel associated with it (singlet, entry fee, federation fee, hotel, food, taking up all day) don't seem worth it. I know I'm not going to win anything (my lifts are hardly truly competitive) and if I just do it for myself (which is fine) I might as well just get PR's in the gym. The counter argument is that the plates at meets are calibrated so you really know what you are lifting and it is exciting to lift in front of a crowd of sorts. I doubt the weights at my gym are that far off and even if they were, I'm still lifting what I can lift and any increase is still an improvement regardless of the exact numerical weight I'm lifting and as far as a crowd being exciting, meh, not worth the other expenses IMO. Am I missing something? I feel like I should want to do a meet more given that I love strength training so much but I'm just not seeing the appeal.

[hasloam]

I haven't competed yet, and I've been training for 10.5 months. I'm in a similar state of mind. I'm sure there's a lot of benefits from competing for most people. I'm particularly introverted, so the whole idea of performing in front of a crowd isn't appealing. I even feel like my bench PR's can be tainted because of the awkward interaction that occurs sometimes between me and my spotter. There's basically no events where I live, so practically any event would be a flight. I derive my enjoyment from being disciplined and achieving PR's after a lot of work. I don't need to be able to prove to anyone what I can do or that it was perfectly calibrated. I know what I can do.

With that being said, I think it is important to most people to seek out a group of like-minded peers. If you're involved in any hobby, one of the best aspects of it is spending time with people who enjoy the same things as you.

[JurisSquatter]

With that being said, I think it is important to most people to seek out a group of like-minded peers. If you're involved in any hobby, one of the best aspects of it is spending time with people who enjoy the same things as you.

I certainly understand that but in my experience, you don't really gain friends from these type of things, especially if you have to travel. I attended a seminar once and socialized with people while there but it's not like we stayed in contact after the event was over. In the end, I just don't see the appeal. From what I see, the juice isn't worth the squeeze unless you're truly competitive or doing it with a group of real friends (sort of like how going to a pro-baseball game with friends is fun even if you don't care about the game). Otherwise, it just seems like a typical money-grab for promoters.

[anniemichael]

I certainly understand that but in my experience, you don't really gain friends from these type of things, especially if you have to travel. I attended a seminar once and socialized with people while there but it's not like we stayed in contact after the event was over. In the end, I just don't see the appeal. From what I see, the juice isn't worth the squeeze unless you're truly competitive or doing it with a group of real friends (sort of like how going to a pro-baseball game with friends is fun even if you don't care about the game). Otherwise, it just seems like a typical money-grab for promoters.

I dunno, my experience is different... I have made friends after seminars I've attended, and meets too. Usually these remain just internet/social media friendships, but it's still worthwhile, IMO.

More than that, the experience of a meet is really lovely, in my experience. It's generally an extremely supportive environment, and it's really motivating to share a platform with folks who are much stronger than you. The cost is certainly significant, so if that's a barrier, I wouldn't make huge sacrifices just to do a competition. But it helps shape and refine your goals, which I have found super beneficial to my training in general.

I actually was interviewed by Bay Strength a couple years ago about competing as a novice... and I think my thoughts still apply even if you're not a novice. I'm a big advocate for everyone trying a competition at least once! Anyway, more thoughts on the matter: https://www.baystrength.com/lifter-r...peting-novice/

[llaffin]

If it's not a financial burden to you, I absolutely think it's worth it. I echo everything Annie said - it's a really supportive environment and it's really cool to get out of your zone and be surrounded by people so much stronger than you. It's also a little different than testing PRs in the gym. You're in an unfamiliar environment, using different equipment than normal, have an audience, probably underfed and tired, anxious and nervous, suboptimal warmup ... and you have to figure out on the spot in real time what your attempts are gonna be, what you think you have in you, how you're gonna respond to failure, etc etc. Going for a [email protected] in those conditions is an experience - it's a sporting event.

I'm no where near competitive strength levels, and I've never had a competitive personality, but I did my first meet a couple months ago and it really lit a fire under my ass - I feel more motivated than ever to get stronger. I couldn't recommend trying one out enough if it's something you can feasibly do.

[JurisSquatter]

I appreciate everyone's input, it's still something I might try. Unlike a lot of people who have talked to me about this, I'd be going alone so no partner to cheer on or to lean on for support. Thanks for giving your thoughts on this.

[Serack]

I believe I’ve seen Jordan say that he encourages any lifter to enroll in a competition because the goal and accountability associated with having a meet to prepare for typically results in real improvements in gains above and beyond what would have been attained just by training without a meet scheduled.

Personally, I’m not on board with purchasing yet another expensive piece of specialty equipment (a singlet) that does not convey a benefit to my training other than fulfilling some convention saying it’s necessary to participate competitively when I don’t expect or intend to actually be “competitive” anyways. So I have not acted on that piece of advice.

But yesterday on the BBM Facebook page I heard of some groups trying to encourage reluctant “athletes” such as myself to join in on the fun of a meet by waving the singlet requirement for their more relaxed and amateur focused events. I haven’t found anything like that local to me yet but probably haven’t searched more than 10 minutes. The MWR gym I work out at does host incredibly casual bench press or deadlift competitions a couple times a year, but I never hear about them early enough to schedule my programming around them.

[anniemichael]

I hear ya on the expensive equipment thing, but the basic Inzer singlet is like $35. And if you go with anything other than USAPL, there's a good cheap Asics singlet you can get on amazon. Just FYI!

[Nathan]

I've competed 3 times and I've always just used a cheap wrestling singlet from Amazon

[Kwesi]

I signed up for my first meet a few weeks ago. The date is still upcoming, so I can't comment on the actual event. But I will say that it has motivated me to push a little harder and to really hone in on my RPE estimates. Bottom line, I'm seeing gains that I don't believe I would have without the meet on the horizon.

[Serack]

I signed up for my first meet a few weeks ago. The date is still upcoming, so I can't comment on the actual event. But I will say that it has motivated me to push a little harder and to really hone in on my RPE estimates. Bottom line, I'm seeing gains that I don't believe I would have without the meet on the horizon.

This. And assuming Jordan and Austin can avoid confirmation bias they have #’s from enough clients that they can speak from quantitative evidence rather than just anecdotal.

[JurisSquatter]

I signed up for my first meet a few weeks ago. The date is still upcoming, so I can't comment on the actual event. But I will say that it has motivated me to push a little harder and to really hone in on my RPE estimates. Bottom line, I'm seeing gains that I don't believe I would have without the meet on the horizon.

What federation did you choose?

[briangoldstein]

I had fun with my first meet and would like to do another soonish. I also had no ambition of winning, just to enjoy the day and set some PRs.

It was nice to meet other people who train, and fun to be up on stage for a little.

My training was more focused for the meet and that was a good thing to go through.

Id generally recommend trying it to anyone.

[Whip Chop]

I had fun with my first meet and would like to do another soonish. I also had no ambition of winning, just to enjoy the day and set some PRs.

It was nice to meet other people who train, and fun to be up on stage for a little.

My training was more focused for the meet and that was a good thing to go through.

Id generally recommend trying it to anyone.

This thread inspired me. I signed up for my first meet on 4/27/19. Thank you! I will keep you all updated with the progress and a recap of the day.

[Kwesi]

What federation did you choose?

USAPL/IPF. It's a novice meet, so it seems like it'll be a little less intimidating.

[Guest]

I suppose that question is best answered by whether or not you want to powerlift/how into it you are. If lifting is your thang then go for it! Even if you don't win you'll probably meet some very cool people who share the same interest as you.

If you're thinking about doing it because your programming revolves around the SQ/B/DL & Press and you just feel like it's something you should do then maybe not. It sounds like you're more in this area from your posts in the thread and you're not actually all that interested. That's A-Okay too! I know personally that I will more than likely never compete because I simply just don't care about PLing at all. Not that PLing is bad or that people who do it shouldn't, it's just not my cup of tea. I just want to look good, feel good, and workout enough that I can eat more burgers haha. If you're more in that camp then nah, it's probably just best to find something else.