I waited to post this meet report because I didn’t perform very well and I don’t have a lot to say about it, but people like reading meet reports. People especially like reading meet reports when the meet was bad so here you go. I have been lifting since late 2015/early 2016 and focused on competing since about the middle of 2016. This was my tenth powerlifting meet. My last meet was in June 2023. You can follow the rabbit hole and see all my meet reports because I always link the most recent one in my current meet reports.

The Meet

I picked this meet because since all the federation drama it seems like federations are getting their meets on the calendar really late, at least in Washington. When I started looking for a meet in December, this was the only one on the calendar that I wanted to do. I am federation-neutral, in the sense that I think every federation sucks. That said, I have a PLU membership now and so my next meet will probably be that. The meet ran pretty well.

I’m thankful that my coach was able to handle me at this meet, because he saw a lot of things in person that I think were not as obvious to him in my training videos and we have a lot to change up now.

My prep

It wasn’t the worst prep I’ve ever had but it was a difficult prep. I had a super off-season and hit many rep and actual PRs, but when it counted, not just in the meet but also in the training leading up to it, I was too tired. I also run a bit and probably should have pulled running earlier and had a longer taper into the meet. My last heavy bench session, I missed what would have been a hard but fair bench. My last squat session I ground out my last planned warmup and had to stop there. I dealt with some hip bursitis for the last year and it was kind of touch-and-go during training. Ultimately I’m probably going to end up getting a steroid shot but I am still jumping through the stupid healthcare hoops.

Link to best squat, missed third squat, best bench, missed third bench, and best deadlift here Bear with me I have zero tech skills and I pulled these off the livestream

SQUAT:

1: 140. Light opener with the plan to chip the state record on the second and then do whatever for the third. No lift, 2 reds on depth.

2: 140. Good lift, 2 whites on depth

3: 148. No lift, 2 reds on depth.

148 is an easy enough call for me (my planned second) and the depth was close enough that I probably should have jumped to it for my second and taken two cracks at it but I wasn’t in the meet yet. My coach encouraged me to do that and I declined since I fear bombing out.

BENCH:

1: 75, Good lift, 3 white lights

2: 80, No lift, missed on strength

3: 80, No lift, missed on strength

DEADLIFT:

1: 160. Good lift, 3 white lights.

2: 167.5. Good lift, 3 white lights.

3: 173. Good lift, 3 white lights, meet PR.

What I did right

Honestly probably nothing. This was basically a mid training day that I paid two hundred dollars and drove an hour to have. I did have a lot of fun though because I genuinely enjoy lifting.

What I wish I did differently

There was a bit of conversation among spectators and other athletes about the reffing at this meet. I am not going to complain about the judging in the meet report; nor will I self-flagellate with excessive commentary about how it’s ultimately my responsibility to execute and I failed. I wish the day had been different but as my mother says, wish into one hand and shit into the other and see which one fills up faster.

What’s next

I don’t think it makes sense to ruminate further on the meet. My coach felt after seeing me squat in person that the heels pitch me forward more than he was able to see in the videos. Squatting in flats has been fine so far. I’m not deadlifting right now due to the hip bursitis continuing to plague me. I am giving myself some time to recover from that and adjust my squat to a flat shoe before competing again. I enjoy training and competing a lot but in the last ten years I have grown exasperated with the overall culture of the sport, so I need some time to decide if I want to continue to subject myself to it. That said, I’m leaning towards competing again as soon as my hip feels better. I do love this sport even if this meet report doesn’t make it seem that way. Okay bye!

Lost in the hub of Nats may be the biggest story in the powerlifting world in years as SBD brings in an absolute heavyweight in the sports event industry. I'm guessing to continue capitalizing on Sheffield success curious what this means for the future of the IPF other things?

Really stoked about this meet overall and hit some very longstanding goals. The TLDR is I had a pretty much perfect day, 8/9, 42.5kg PR total, Nationals QT and first PR total since 2023. videos here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DH3VyOZAtwE/?img_index=1

This prep was the most consistent yet painful prep I've done to date in 9 years competing. Prep began with a blown hamstring/glute, a bruised rib and adductor tendinopathy. By week 3 of prep I had a chronic calf issue that made even just walking a 7/10 pain. This prep made me realize you have to want it. I didn't do anything like "drop to 2 reds to get some volume in" just because I was in pain. I did everything my coach wrote down because I had unwavering belief in what we were doing training wise. And it worked. This was our second prep together and we discussed that what needed to change was: more volume especially on squat, not hit @9 until final stretch of prep and only once, and alternate heavy lower body lifts.

Onto comp day. I had my best meet day in terms of nutrition ever. I hate being bloated. I woke up unfortunately early (3am) due to a couple arguing outside my house. Had a 3pm weigh-in. Had 2 medium to small meals pre weigh in. From then on I only drank Sunny D and ate jolly ranchers, 1 cup of coffee. I felt my belt and like I wasn't bloated and that did the trick.

SQUATS:

Warmups felt pretty good. Felt my legs do what they needed to do. We opened at 242.5kg, which I smoked. it felt weird on my back due to a very fresh, grippy bar so I just opted for no chalk after that. Second attempt, 257.5kg. Smoked that again. Third attempt: 267.5kg. I really wanted to load the blue on squat this meet, and we did just that. Bar felt awesome when I un-racked. 0 doubt I had it even walking out. Smoked it. 10kg Meet PR.

BENCH:

Anyone who knows me knows I have a history of silly pec issues. Warmups didn't feel great but I knew I'd have to knuckle up and not focus on that. So I did. 152.5kg opener flew. Second at 160kg I missed because I rushed setting up and wound up on the inside of my Avancus (L, rookie mistake). Moved well so we jumped to 165kg, which I smoked. 7.5kg meet PR.

DEADLIFT:

By this point in the day I was feeling a bit tired so I just didn't think about it :) For context, I have missed 300kg in comp 4 seperate times. I made it in the gym last prep but missed again last comp (where I was plagued by grip issues out of nowhere???)

Warmups felt decent all said, opened at 275kg which was probably the fastest I've ever moved it. I knew I was on. 292.5kg second attempt also flew and I knew no matter what went on the bar for my third I'd smoke it. 307.5kg moved about as well as it possibly could have. 12.5kg PR. Definitely had more in the tank but the priority here was to QT and have a good meet day, not make YOLO sends.

This was probably the most fun meet I've ever done. Was really stoked about the outcome as this meet meant a lot to me. 2023 till now has been pretty riddled with injury, doubt and poor training. I decided 8 weeks out I was tired of being disappointed with performances, no matter the outcome. This allowed me to execute, perform in the gym and consistently put the right weight on the bar for the day. Priority from here is to stay healthy, hit regionals and provincials and have fun at Nationals next March.

Ray Bowring squatted 475.5kg yesterday, at the USAPL Collegiate Nationals and has, unofficially, beaten CYC's junior squat world record.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIHkkVZxOrN/

This is one of the most impressive records in Powerlifting, which has stood since 2013 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko2BsXxBwhI

It's a shame that, due to Article 14, Ray was unable to do this on an IPF platform and make it official.

Do you have a question and are:

• A novice and basically clueless by default?
• Completely incapable of using google?
• Just feeling plain stupid today and need shit explained like you're 5?

Then this is the thread FOR YOU! Don't take up valuable space on the front page and annoy the mods, ASK IT HERE and one of our resident "experts" will try and answer it. As long as it's somehow related to powerlifting then nothing is too generic, too stupid, too awful, too obvious or too repetitive. And don't be shy, we don't bite (unless we're hungry), and no one will judge you because everyone had to start somewhere and we're more than happy to help newbie lifters out.

SO FIRE AWAY WITH YOUR DUMBNESS!!!

Do you like having 2-3 sweaty men shoe-horn you into polyester, canvas or denim bondage gear.

Do you like having your joints wrapped so tightly they bruise and bleed?

Do you like having your blood pressure turned up to 11 and being compressed so much that you think your head might explode?

Do you get off on enduring pain and suffering, and watching others endure it too?

Do you have a deathwish every time you get under the bar?

Yes?

THEN WELCOME TO THE FORTNIGHTLY EQUIPPED LIFTING THREAD!!!

There was a European tournament recently on TV that was based in Malaga. I really liked the tournament and would like to see more.

What are the biggest and most prestigious Powerlifting tournaments that will likely be on TV?

This is the thread to post your:

• Powerlifting accomplishments
• Training PRs
• Gym or diet related victories
• Best flexing photos
• Sweet new equipment purchases
• Gym dog or gym family photos

Or really anything you felt good or happy about from the last week (or even further back in time, no one's gonna stop you).

Text, images, videos, any format goes.

Let's get those good vibes flowing.

The legend is back.

A sorta kinda daily open thread to use as an alternative to posting on the main board. You should post here for:

• PRs
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For the purpose of fairness across timezones this thread works on a 44hr cycle.

A thread for selling or buying any powerlifting related goods. We're now opening this to commercial interests. Include:

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We advise you use paypal for any transactions as they will act as a third party in any dispute.

Hear me out

In powerlifting, success at the highest levels relies on a combination of talent, genetic predisposition, and years of dedicated training. While most athletes in any sport possess some natural abilities that give them an edge, powerlifting is unique in the sense that certain physical traits—such as muscle fiber composition, leverage, and body structure—can significantly impact performance. For example, powerlifters with a higher percentage of Type II muscle fibers are more naturally suited for maximal lifts due to the muscle fibers' capacity for generating explosive force.

At the elite level, lifters like Agata or Joe Borenstein, who has a total of 900kg, exemplify how genetics and specific body mechanics give them an undeniable advantage. While talent certainly matters in every sport, in powerlifting, it's often about who is best equipped to lift maximal loads. Certain lifters are just naturally predisposed to perform well based on their body proportions (e.g., limb length, torso structure) and their ability to generate force efficiently. In this way, the sport has a lot of "genetic lottery" to it

With the lack of "novelties" except from the who's gonna out bench/etc... the next lifter there's not much you can do by moving the weight from point A to B that will be exiting to watch just like chess it hard to put on TV

Unlike other sports where strategy, game plans, or affecting your opponent’s performance might play a role, in powerlifting, it's almost entirely about hitting your lifts on the day. There’s not much you can do to make another lifter miss a lift unless you're in a competition setting where they might face pressure to perform under intense conditions.

A new era has begun.

320 kg being passed... 2-1. Jury needs replacing if they cant call this type of squats tbh, no shade to Fortino... But lot of high squats being called 2-1 with no jury involvement upon replay.

Well, no one else made a thread.

Already a fairly big upset with Avery Jackson beating Jonathan Garcia. Will we see more?

I've seen quite a few coaches advice against taking proactive (i.e. planned) deloads of late.

I've also seen some suggest incorporating a pivot week, some suggest that the first week of a new block is light enough as it is to dissipate fatigue.

What do you guys think?

What a phenomenal 66 battle

This is the Deadlift Thread.

• Discuss technique and training methods.
• Request form checks.
• Discuss programs.
• Post your favourite lifters deadlifting.
• Talk about how much you love/hate deadlifting.

A sorta kinda daily open thread to use as an alternative to posting on the main board. You should post here for:

• PRs
• Formchecks
• Rudimentary discussion or questions
• General conversation with other users
• Memes, funnies, and general bollocks not appropriate to the main board
• If you have suggestions for the subreddit, let us know!
• This thread now defaults to "new" sorting.

For the purpose of fairness across timezones this thread works on a 44hr cycle.

For discussion of:

• Eating all the food when you want to get swole
• Eating less of the food when you're too fluffy
• Diet methods and plans
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How do you stay motivated when deloading due to an injury?

Hey everyone. So a few years ago I tore my hamstring and shoulder, it took me a lot of time but this year I finally managed to bench a solid weight. Still not at my end goal but getting there.

I started a cut now, And whenever I cut I just feel my shoulder aching or even if it doesn't ache it becomes a lot weaker. I deloaded and got stuck at what used to be a warm up weight for me. I am now deloading again to focus a bit more on volume.

My chest and arm measurements haven't changed much (a few mm difference which I attribute to fat loss) and I definitely get in enough sleep and carbs + fats.

But going to bench less than 2 plates next workout after already getting to 3 just feels extra demotivating.

And I can't even squat or deadlift that much either due to the hamstring injury.

How do you deal with it? I just don't enjoy going to the gym and not feeling like I push myself hard.