My First Powerlifting Meet
"Bar is loaded!"
“Bar is loaded!” shouts the head referee as the master of ceremonies calls my name.
I part the black curtains that separate the safety of the warmup room from the packed gym. Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz” booms through the speakers surrounding the platform. I approach the bar, grasp it with chalk-caked hands, and wedge myself underneath. The bar is unracked; I step back and shuffle my feet into place.
“SQUAT!” commands the referee.
I oblige, doing so as quickly and deeply as I can for fear of failing to reach appropriate depth. The bar shoots back up with nearly identical velocity.
“RACK!”
“Oooooh.. that was clean,” announces the MC.
Three white lights appear on the screen behind the platform; the lift is good.
I exit the platform, finally free of anxiety’s grip. I realize that this is for me.
I’ve been lifting for over a decade and growing enamored with the sport of powerlifting for about four years. After missing out on the chance to do so last year due to a hernia, I made the commitment earlier this year to step on the platform of a sanctioned powerlifting meet.
Since the completion of my 25K mountain trail race in March, I have been focused on maximizing strength and technical prowess under the bar. With the help of my coach, I was well prepared to compete. However, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t nervous.
While very methodical and somewhat stoic, I am a generally anxious person. The stress of entering my first competition, coupled with the lack of intense training during the week of the meet, had me on edge. From Thursday’s seven-hour drive until the first squat was completed on Saturday morning, I grappled with an elevated heart rate, terrible sleep, and general discomfort. My legs felt shaky and weak.
Fortunately, I had a sound plan and a supportive crew. On meet day, I was handled by my older brother; I was also in the same lifting flight as my father’s next-door-neighbor, who helped me warm up. While not present for the meet, my coach helped me develop a solid Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C for picking my attempts for the squat, bench, and deadlift.
Given my mental state and the feeling in my legs, getting warmed up for the squats was the worst part of the day. While I crushed my first attempt, I decided to move forward conservatively with my Plan B. This proved to be a good move, as I was able to secure a 5lb personal record (PR) on my third attempt—despite the nerves and some breakdown in technique.
I was ecstatic to have gone three-for-three on squats and set a PR, but I felt pretty wiped out after the third attempt. Fortunately, the meet was so large that I would have over two hours until my first bench press attempt. I found a cool, empty room in the gym to rest, rehydrate, and refuel.
I was much more comfortable warming up for bench press. The weight was flying, and I smoked my opening attempt. I decided to take the Plan A route. The second attempt, though 28 pounds heavier, seemed to move as easily as the first. My third attempt would have tied a previous PR, but I lost steam about two-thirds of the way up. Due to some bicep tendonitis from holding the squat bar, I was not able to train bench as heavy as I would’ve liked in my meet prep. I probably should have taken something slightly lighter for my third bench, but you live and you learn.
Fatigue had set in by the time deadlifts rolled around, which seemed to be the case with every lifter. It was an exceptionally long day. Though it was only my first competition, others gave me the impression that the average meet will wrap up by 3:30PM or so; I think this one lasted until 7. I couldn’t help but be thankful for my running background and aerobic endurance; I truly believe that my fitness helped me keep gas in the tank for the duration of the meet, especially after being in fight-or-flight mode for 48 hours or more. Regardless, I decided to go with Plan B for deadlifts to ensure I didn’t miss. My third deadlift attempt was another successful 5lb PR.
Overall, it was an incredible day. From establishing new friendships in the warmup room to the thrill of unracking weights in front of a crowd, I feel I have found a new home. The referees, spotters, loaders, and other staff members were courteous and supportive. The venue and atmosphere were electric.
I’ll be on the platform again in just over five weeks with more confidence and a more aggressive game plan. Until then, I’ll hear the words “bar is loaded” in my daydreams.
Check out the Instagram post below for videos of my heaviest successful lifts and a recap of my attempted weights.
