Too many times I have gone to a meet and see beginning and advanced lifters who have forgotten their
wraps, suit, socks, or some other piece of equipment.Everything is important!Let's look at a check list
and I'm sure you can even add to it!
- Registration card (USPF, USAPL, AAU, APF, APA, etc.); birth certificate for Junior or Master lifters
- Water, carbo drinks, etc.
- Food, fruit, etc. (enough for you, your workout partners and anybody else walking by and seeing it lying
in your bag!)
- Analgesics, heat, DMSO, tape, extra shoe strings, pen, calculator, chalk, talc or baby powder
- Smelling salts (2 or more)
- Workout book, Attempt cards, kilo conversion sheet
- A GOOD WORKOUT PARTNER!!! OR TWO
- Power Suits (2 or more)
- Power Briefs (or underwear)
- Lifting Singlet
- Warm-up Pants and Jacket
- Power Wraps (2 or 3 pair)
- Power Wrist Wraps (1 to 2 pair)
- Towel
- Socks (2 or 3 pair)
- T-Shirts (2 to 3)
- Lifting Shoes (Squat, Bench, Deadlift)
- Power Belt (1 or more)
- Ergogenic Aids (caffeine, herbs, etc.)
- WRAP ROLLER
- Portable scales for the real serious national competitors
This LIST COULD BE EVEN longer, depending on how in depth or detailed we get, BUT IS HERE mainly
to just give you some ideas for contest preparation and things to watch out for at the contest!
You should already know how to warm-up and the weights to pick.Your opener should be equal to your
last set of triple reps or a bit less.I usually back off another 10 to 20 pounds from my heaviest triple
rep weight; that provides a margin of safety for an easy opener."Remember it doesn't matter what you start
with only what you end up with" and hopefully they
are not the same weight!
- It is better to warm-up a bit too soon than too late.
- Always know what all of your warm-ups and attempts are.Then let your workout partners know so you
can concentrate on the meet.
- Pick out a spot in the warm-up room and stay put until you are finished then,
- Pick a spot in the area where you will be wrapping for your attempts and stay put!
- Get as many people to help you as possible!One in charge of wraps, etc.
One to help put up straps and to tighten your belt up, etc.
- Always be conservative in picking your attempts, especially your first two.
Usually your second attempt is the one you need to count on for the BIG TOTAL!
Your third attempt is for personal records, or for State, National or World record attempts
(icing on the cake).Fourth attempts in the squat ARE a NO! NO!It will only take something out of your
deadlift and total.
- It is better to put your Power Suit on too soon than too late.Leave plenty of time for warming up and
getting mentally prepared for your lifts out on the platform.
- Always buy a meet video or video the meet yourself (if it is permitted). It can only help to identify your
weak spots in your form as well as your sticking points!
REMEMBER, BAD MEETS ON VIDEO ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS GOOD MEETS ON VIDEO.
- A quick note on sticking points: It should be at the bottom!
- Never argue with the judges and always know the rule book inside and out!
- Look at some of the lifters squat before you lift to get an idea, not only on the judging quality, but as to the
platform set up, racks, spotters, loaders, etc.
- The more knowledge you have the better you can pick your attempts.You can never have too much
knowledge about your surroundings!
- Do not look out into the audience while squatting, concentrate on the lift and do not become distracted.
- Always be ready for the unexpected.Like BOMB OUTS, injuries from other lifters, (which can lengthen
or shorten your time between warm-ups or attempts),and any other odd thing that might turn up.
BE PREPARED both physically and mentally for the unexpected.
The most basic idea I am trying to pound into your head is to be ready for anything and be ready to adapt
or change.Remember you have trained hard; BE smart, BUT BE cautious.
EXPLODE WITH POWER!!!