Issue 4
With the GPC Australia QLD state champs just around the bend, this newsletter will be aimed towards the newer lifters to the sport.
First of all, well done on stepping up to the plate, and getting your lifts passed (hopefully) in front of the judges. Powerlifting is an awesome sport and I'm sure you will find that everybody will be very friendly and supportive, no matter what level your lifting is at. We are all there to have an awesome day, learn from other lifters, learn whats involved in comps and to have a bit of fun.
First of all, your going to need to make sure you have the following few things in your gym bag before leave home for the comp.
- Soft suit
- Knee high socks (footy socks are fine)
- Flat shoes
- Knee wraps/sleeves if you choose to wear them
- SUBWAY COOKIES! Well that's my choice for comp food anyway. The comp should go for around 3-4 hours, so you may want to bring some lollies or some small pieces of fruit to nibble on.
Plenty of chalk will be at the comp, so no need to worry about that. I'll also have a big role of duct tape for those who forget their socks...... Please, somebody steal Steves socks, I want to see those legs taped up!
THATS IT!
As far as warming up goes, you want to work up to around 90% of your opening lift.
Make sure you warm up at the appropriate times according to when you are lifting. You want your last warm up rep to be about 5-10mins before you hit the platform. Talk to a few of the lifters, and if you find that some re opening on similar weights, work in with them.
How to pick your opening weight?
I pick my openers for all my novice lifters, and it is usually something that they can triple, especially if it is their first comp.
You don't want to make your opening lift to heavy, if you miss it, it will put un-nessercery pressure on you and make you much more nervous than you already are.
It doesn't matter what you open on, only what you finish on, remember that.
You will find that the more experienced lifters will open on much more than they can triple, in some cases only 5kg off a PB. The thing for novice lifters to keep in mind though, these guys are experienced. They have done a number of comps, and know their bodies and limits very well.
For first time lifters, this comp is about getting a feel for the comp atmosphere, meeting other athletes, posting a total, learning how comps are run and how you should prepare and having the confidence to actually get up there and have a lift.
I know I've run though all the rules and commands with most of you a bit over the last few weeks, but I guarantee somebody will stuff them up... As long as you only do it once, and learn from your mistakes, I wont make you push the prowler around.
Here are a few of the common mistakes people make at their first comp, so take notice.
Squat-
Not waiting for the squat call
Not making depth - Crease of hip MUST be below top of knee.
Not waiting for the rack call
Bench-
Not holding the bar motionless on the chest
Not waiting for the press call
Allowing your arse to lift off the bench
Moving your feet during the lift
Not waiting for the rack call
Deadlift-
Hitching or using your quads as leverage
Not waiting for the down call
Not maintaining control of the bar while returning it to the floor
I know it looks like a bit, but it's really simple and I'm sure you will all be fine.
The only other advice I really want to push to you is to approach the bar KNOWING that weight is going to be lifted, well.
If you approach the bar with ANY doubt at all, you've already lost the battle......
Watch Alex Z lift, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Victoria is having their states 1 week before ours, so there will be records in some of the classes. Make sure you have a look, you may be within reach of some!
Good luck everybody, Ill see you on the 31st.
Until then, stay strong,
Scott Wasson