How do weight classes work?

[Parabellum]

I see all over the place 220, 242, 275, shw, etc...

If I'm at 245 what weight class would they put me in if I were to try a powerlifting competition.

 

[spatts]

When it says, for example, 242, you can't weight MORE than that or you're in the next category. I'm 178 pounds, so I'm a 181.

You'd be a 275...or you could drop 3 pounds of water, compete as a 242, but carb load up to 250+ .

 

[JollyRogers]

Spatts what do you mean by compete as 242, but carb load and weigh 250 Where is the advantage in weight? or losing weight in a comp? could you simplify this? lol

 

[Parabellum]

Spatts what do you mean by compete as 242, but carb load and weigh 250 Where is the advantage in weight? or losing weight in a comp? could you simplify this? lol

Carb load? Forgive the uninitiated.

Jolly the heavier I am the more compfortable I feel with the weights.

So if there is a weighin at 12 noon and competition starts at 2 pm. I carb load for 2 hours being carefull not to gorge myself in the process? Carb load would consist of what kind of carbs?

I hover around 240 now. I am trying to get down to around 220.

You and HeavyWear got me al fired up about competeing.

 

[spatts]

Sweet!

Yeah, that's what I meant. Weigh in is usually the Friday before a Saturday comp. So you can take a few days and drop a lil water....noting drastic or you risk losing strength (like my last comp). Then after you weigh in, you have from that point on Friday to the comp time Saturday to load up. My "drug of choice" is oatmeal. I swear, competition or not, I can't lift a thing without my lucky oeatmeal. It just does the trick for me. Most of us go to Denny's and the guys will get pancakes, eggs, waffles, etc....whatever. Just carbs, and lots of water. I'm more of an eggs and oatmeal type of eater, and benchmonster accuses me of eating like a bodybuilder. lol

3 pounds would not be a big deal at all. I tried to drop 10 for my last comp (moron).