Re: Need some opinions

Posted By: Donna
Date: Friday, 25 October 2002, at 9:27 a.m.
In Response To: Need some opinions (Steve Horton)

: I'm wondering if I should do my upcoming meet
: at 198 or 220. Ultimately I have to go up to
: 220 anyway because of my height and in order
: to reach my goals, so I had planned to do so
: after the meet starting in 2003. I'm
: wondering what value there may be to doing
: this meet at 198 other than to meet the
: short-term goals I'd set earlier this year.
: I'm only around 202 right now, but I could
: be focused on gaining during these next 5
: weeks rather than maintenance which may help
: me get there earlier next year anyway. I
: don't think the process will be easy in any
: case, so maybe the additional effort will be
: beneficial. My total isn't going to be
: anything to brag about regardless of my
: weight, so while it may look better under
: the 198 lb class, it probably won't matter.
: Joe and I have been talking through this and
: I'm torn. I'd like to hear some thoughts.

Hi Steve,
I found myself in something comparable for many years. I used to compete in the 123's and at my height, it was pretty obvious that was way too light. No woman wants to gain weight though so if my bodyweight moved up to about 125-126, I'd just diet down to the 123's. In my mind I knew I had to move up to a new weight class to be the best powerlifter I could be but since I was so close to the 123's, I felt that was my true class at that time. By cutting back like that all I did was delay my progress. When I finally stopped looking at the scale and torturing myself and just allowed myself to naturally grow (to do that I didn't eat to gain "weight", I ate to provide my body with the nutrients it needed to add muscle and only gained about 2-3 lbs. a year because that was the rate my body naturally grew at), I became a much better lifter pound for pound. I think there is a difference between gaining weight to lift more and gaining weight to optimize one's frame. I am a far better lifter pound for pound at 148 than I ever was at 123 because now I actually have a little muscle to lift with. I wasted many years not allowing myself to grow to my true class and artificially stunting my growth. I personally think if you know you are too light for your height, there's no better time than the present to start working on becoming the best lifter you can be. Maybe right now that doesn't make sense from a "rankings" perspective but ultimately, I think its the only way you'll be able to reach your highest "rankings".

D.

Steve

I think what you need to consider is when you move to the 220s you want to make that move with as much lean muscle mass as possible. I think making the move with just extra body weight can actually be a hinderance. Two what will make you the most competitive. If you are staying in local meets and their is a competitive group in the 198s or 220s get in that class and go. If your goal is nationals stay in the 198s because some of the toughest competition at nationals for the USAPL is found in this weight class, this is the reason I continue to cut 8 to 10 pounds and a few state records I would like a shot at breaking in a year or so.

I am asking myself the same questions at this point in my PL journey. As of now I will continue to diet and stay at 198 and it is a healthier more athletic approach for me at this point. Hope this helps some.

Rodney

Unless you are trying to set records at 198 or competing for cash that the awards are determined by Formula, I would just move up and be a full 220.

If its only 4lbs I would go ahead and cut to 198. Especially if they have early weigh ins

The other guys made some good points about long term goals. On the other hand, you are looking at 5 weeks, not a very long time in the big picture. You are at 202 right now. If it's easy to drop a couple lbs, go to 198 for one last meet. Then you have the rest of your life to get into the 220's.

Dan

Fred Hatfield II gave this advice once in an interview I read. Now, he was never a great powerlifter, but I thought it was good advice. If you want to be as strong as possible (i.e. lift as much as possible) then don't worry about your weight. If you want to be a powerlifting champion, find your rightful weight class.

I personally would ascribe to the latter. That's why I'd like to drop to the 165s, even though I could easily gain weight and push up my total by going up the 198s. So I guess it just depends on what you're aiming for.

In Response To: Need some opinions (Steve Horton)

Depending on your body composition the last four pounds can be very hard to lose without a loss of strength. I know that when I went from 198 to 220 I was worried about being competitive but the new weight helped alot.

I say look at the long term goals and work towards that.

In Response To: Need some opinions (Steve Horton)

If it were me, I'd reevaluate the short term goals that you mention. If they lack importance over the long term, I would focus on my larger goals. My response is based more on general life experience than things lifting related. Keep that in mind. I could be overlooking something powerlifting specific. Those more experienced in the sport could probably provide better insight than I…