am I strong enough to compete?

[cheesePuss]

I've just been turned onto powerlifting.....I originally have been interested in bodybuilding......so I have been training for a few years now.

my current lifts are:

squat 405 2 reps
deadlift 405 4 reps
bench 315 2 reps

I haven't hit any singles yet....
my body weight is 225 around 20% fat

I beleive there is a meet in a few months in atlanta....and I was wondering if you guys think if I'm strong enough to enter.....this would be my first meet

thanks
and any advice for a newbie to the sport would be great

 

[bigmag]

I'm not trying to let you down bro.....but you need to work on those lifts a little, particularly squats and dealifts, but I think you should go to the meet just to get the experience and get used to the atmosphere of the hole thing. Keep training hard and good luck!!!

p.s.
pm me if you need any advice

 

[cheesePuss]

thanks man for the honest advice ...... p.s. should I worry about putting on weight? should I even try to lean down for the meet...

 

[bigmag]

well....to be honest with you, either way you go (loose a little or gain a little) you're going to be in the hardest of most of the weight classes ( which are usually the middle ones). But if I had to choose one, I'd say loose some. The lighter you are the better, in any weight class. If I were you I'd just focus on strength for right now. Good Luck!!!

p.s.
pm me if you need any advice and I'll see what I can do!

 

[Hannibal]

Anyone is strong enough to compete...your only real competition is yourself. As long as you are stronger than you were yesterday what else can you do??! Now if you are asking if you are strong enough to win...the answer would be no...just for now.

As for what class to compete in normally I would say concentrate on gaining weight and getting stronger. However in your case...20%bodyfat...you can afford to lose a few pounds without losing muscle. Besides losing five pounds to make the 220's can be done in a day. And only losing a couple pounds won't affect your leverage either.

Depending on how long you have exactly I would say try to get up to 235 or so without increasing body fat. Then the last couple weeks drop some fat. Most powerlifters train at about 10-15 above were they plan to compete.

Good Luck

 

[powerlifterjay]

Let me tell ya something competing is a blast! You will have a great time and you wont be the weakest there. I love meets. Like Hannibal said you go and beat your self each time. thats the progress you should look for. And if you plan on sticking with powerlifting then you need the experience.

 

[cheesePuss]

thanks for all the info guys I really apreciate it!.....The meet is in november....so that gives me some time to work on my lifts and my weight....I'll keep you posted on my progress.

thanks again

cheese

 

[jeffroo]

Hey bro listen, I was in my first meet last month and had a blast. My weights were not much more then yours, but now I have a starting point for next year, and so will you.

 

[bigmag]

I'm with those guys....you'll have a blast at the meets. and like I've said before (sorry I didn't say it earlier). It's not where you are, but where you're going. That's the truth, just a few words of encouragement. Good Luck!!!

 

[Imnotdutch]

One thing you do notice at meets is the support you get from others when doing your lifts.....they might be complete strangers but they'll still encourage you and help you out if you need it. Pretty cool atmosphere.