About 3 months ago, as we muscle heads are prone to do, I changed my weightlifting routine. Until then I had been using something akin to a crossfit/total-body-per-day regime where my main goal was fitness, not necessarily strength or mass. Then one day, on a whim, I decided to go a little heavier than usual. While my squat was still dismal at 335 x 1 (I've never been able to squat more than 405) my deadlift (405 x 3) and bench (350 x 1) were somewhat respectable. This led me to search for powerlifting programs and I stumbled upon Ryan Kennelly and his exploits. I have been using a routine that he outlined on critical bench and the results have been very dramatic!
Now I'm kicking around the idea of entering a bench competition.
Have any of you ever competed in a lifting meet?
Any tips or advice?
Never competed as a powerlifter. Squatted 585 for 2, deadlifted 455 x 1 and benched 365 x 1, 195 pounds bodyweight at my peak and without steroids, but I was a competitive bodybuilder at the time. I was also a teen competitor. I adopted some of Mike Mentzer's "Heavy Duty" principles in my routine when I was training for strength and power.
I say go for it, those are very respectable numbers regardless of your weight. Back when I was really into it there were, and I'm sure there still are, a lot of drugs around. I competed in both Natural and untested contests, but never won. I was 2d place Mr. Teen Chicago in 1992, though, which is still cool.
I still work out of course. I don't squat often, but when I like to have fun with it. I go to a YMCA in my neighborhood. Its fun to throw on 3 or 4 plates and rep out. People are like WTF is that guy?
I took two golds in the Georgia State Games back in 2000/2001. If I remember correctly I lifted 815# at 185# body weight. All my records are at work and I cant remember exactly.
For diet and power lifting, find an Italian girl that likes to cook. 
The big difference betweene Power Lifters and Body Builders is Power Lifters eat better. 
For me the competition was a goal that kept me motivated and in the gym working out. Motivation was the key. I was spending 3+ hours a day in the gym. When my daughter was born I stopped to spend time with her and my wife. Havent been in a gym in 5 years. 
In reply to mattmacklind:
That is one monstrous squat!
Since starting this routine I've put on about 10lbs which puts me at 200.
In reply to porksboy:
My wife might not like it if I were to go looking for an Italian girl...
I'm the same way with being more motivated when I'm working toward a specific goal.
I'm also in the same boat with family taking priority over hobbies. I walked away from boxing and MMA in order to be a father and husband. My EXTREMELY understanding wife was 5 months pregnant with our oldest when I had my (first sanctioned) last MMA fight.
My official weight was 168 lbs in July of '06.
Were those olympic lifts?
Morbid
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11/28/10 2:30 p.m.
Oh, you mean that wife who was also your medic for said fight and was there to fix up your (once again) broken nose? Yep, I'd be a little upset if you brought home an Italian girl
The_Jed
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anyone see a connection here ?
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barnca
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11/28/10 3:40 p.m.
wbjones wrote:
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anyone see a connection here ?
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gonna go out on a limb here and say husband and wife... i realize i may be reachin here but i feel kind good bout this judgement call..
My wife is the Italian girl. Could keep my workout partner away from my dining table. If you are around you WILL eat.
That was a two lift total (bench and deadlift)
American Powerlifting Federation lifts.
In reply to porksboy:
That's a big total for two ifts at 185!
