New to Powerlifting meets Advice Please

tomcornhole

Sara, hope you don't mind if I start this thread. I am trying to pick my first meet and wanted advice on my approach. Plus all the FAQ stuff. I figured I would just watch the first one. Then compete. We seem to be blessed here in the Cincinnati area as there are a LOT of meets within 2 hours. Here's what I am looking at:

Spectator (thought about competing in this, but would prefer to watch one first. Thoughts?)
*Ohio State Championships 19-Apr NASA Springfield OH

First Meet (not ideal, but it's 5 minutes from my house)
RPS Cincy Push Pull 24-Apr RPS Cincinnati OH

Compete
*Midwest Regional Powerlifting Championships 3-May USPA Franklin OH
*Buckeye State Open RAW Championships 24-May APA Lebanon OH
Dr. Darrell Latch Memorial Meet 21-Jun NGPF Hamilton OH
*Ohio Open RAW Championships 11-Oct APA Lancaster OH
Samson Gym Meet 1-Nov NGPF Hamilton OH

*Large meet. Would really like to compete.

Seems I have a lot of them pretty close in Apr, May, June. You know me and 1RM work. I would do it every week if it did't kill my progress. For this first year, I just want to learn how to compete. PR's will be nice. Trophies, OK. But knowing how it all works would be the goal. My long term goal happens next year. I want the Ohio state record for all 3 lifts and total (415/355/450/1220).

So, that's the plan. I plan to stay @ 198 (current weight) for the whole season, so don't see a bulk or cut in there.

Appreciate all guidance and suggestions.

Tom

Sarauk2sf

I cannot give input as to the specific meets as I am not sure of the size/location etc, however, I would highly recommend you going to watch one. It really helps to get a feel for the atmosphere, routine and cadence of the lifts.

Pick one to do in the next couple of months. You can work out what one you want to do next after that. Registration deadlines are usually not too far in advance and some allow 'on the day' registrations.

Do you have any USAPL ones?

I have competed in an APA one - they are fun, but not as organized as USAPL, and the drug testing is not as good.

You say you want the state record - which federation?

tomcornhole

Do you have any USAPL ones?

Just one on 12 April about 3 hours away. Wasn't planning to go to that one.

You say you want the state record - which federation?

That's a good question. I was looking at the USAPL numbers. They have a well populated masters raw section. Seem to be a lot of raw lifters in USAPL. APA has the most meets around me, but APA Open Raw has no records in Ohio except bench and that's pretty low at 295. Lots of equipped records. I could get those records just by doing a clean lift in each category. To be honest, I think I am going to drop this as a goal. Seems too vague to execute.

Do I need to pick one federation? Not sure if I will get hooked or not on PL meets. I hope so as there are so many around me and I just love getting under the bar at max loads.

Sarauk2sf

You can do any federation or a combo thereof.

I have the same issue re Masters records for the smaller federations (and even the larger ones). The depth is often just not there, particularly for females. Not saying that there are not some really good lifters in the Masters category (Jennifer Thompson, the bench world record holder is now old enough to compete in Masters) but the really good ones just lift in the open division.

My advice - don't look at records - they are nice and shiny, but not really the point imo. Do it to enjoy it and to compete against yourself.