Newbie Lifter

[Silentlemon1011]

Hey guys!
I'm sure some of you have seen me around the forums.
I'm a bodybuilder (Dont compete... getting too old and too busy now)

Lately I've been taking a HUGE interest in strongman and powerlifting.

Also, I'm pretty busted up, (Knees are shot, shoulders are garbage)
BUT that's not going to stop me lol

I wouldnt mind doing a meet in a year or so.

right now I'm 225 lbs (I could easily cut to sub 200.. I'm used to weight cutting without a problem)

I'm a competitive motherfucker lol.
I'm the kind of guy that needs to be competitive or I wint even show up.
For a 200lb weight class... where do my numbers need to be for the big 3 to compete in that weight class.

Been powerlifting for about 4 months now,
By this chart

https://strengthlevel.com/strength-standards/male/lb

Apparently I'm a "Intermediate" powerlifter.
I have a LONG way to go, specifically with form etc.

What do you guys think about that chart?

Also, I lift completely raw, No belt (I use sleeves for squat, as my ACL MCL and Miniscus are torn)
When should I start using a belt and straps?

Grip strength is on point... I havnt found a number that my fingers give out at.

Is it advantageous to use straps?

Any tips for a guy like me, tons of experience moving the weight and a fuck ton of cycles under my belt (mostly aesthetics) to bring my numbers up FAST.

I have the muscle mass, just not the power I think I should be at.

Thanks guys!
Rip me apart.. I want to learn from you guys who are putting up those fucking numbers.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I would say look up lifter classifications for whatever fed you're interested in doing. Then also look up meet results for meets in your area over the last year or two and see what kind of numbers are getting put up.

Like this is classifications for USPA Open



If you're competing in any of the masters age groups they'll be slightly lower. Not sure where those charts are found.

In my experience of competing in five meets and watching three others a 1400-1500lbs total will usually get you top 3 in any weight class. Unless a random monster or two show up totaling 1800+.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Also no numbers are bad numbers. I mean you shouldn't wait for any certain total to compete. There's all ages and strength levels at meets. You'll see people lifting 100lbs. Just do a meet and have fun.

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Also no numbers are bad numbers. I mean you shouldn't wait for any certain total to compete. There's all ages and strength levels at meets. You'll see people lifting 100lbs. Just do a meet and have fun.

I hear ya,
I love competition, no matter what it is.
I've been to a meet with a friend, just a lot of fun all around.
I do have a tendancy to take things too seriously lol

Opinion on the belt and wraps?

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I hear ya,
I love competition, no matter what it is.
I've been to a meet with a friend, just a lot of fun all around.
I do have a tendancy to take things too seriously lol

Opinion on the belt and wraps?

A belt is still considered raw and will usually help most lift more weight. Wraps I started out using, but for me they're too much of a pain to get on at meets. I prefer raw lifting aka knee sleeves.

Straps I don't use unless it's to save my hands or do reps with something where I want equal lat activation. I can't pull more with straps because my grip is much stronger than any weight I've ever been able to pull, even off blocks. Seems like many people have really weak grip though and can pull much more with straps. You can't use them at meets, so shouldn't rely on them too much.

A lot of the time you'll just be competing with yourself unless there's someone actually close to your level at your weight. My meet before last I won first by tie breaker by being 3lbs lighter than the guy I tied with. That was the most competitive and satisfying win of mine. This last one I did I got second and the guy that won was opening with way more than my thirds by far, so no chance lol. It was still fun though.

 

[Btcowboy]

Welcome and subbed.. we are all newbies at one point, I still am. Listen to Perrin he is a wealth of advice.

 

[Silentlemon1011]

A belt is still considered raw and will usually help most lift more weight. Wraps I started out using, but for me they're too much of a pain to get on at meets. I prefer raw lifting aka knee sleeves.

Straps I don't use unless it's to save my hands or do reps with something where I want equal lat activation. I can't pull more with straps because my grip is much stronger than any weight I've ever been able to pull, even off blocks. Seems like many people have really weak grip though and can pull much more with straps. You can't use them at meets, so shouldn't rely on them too much.

A lot of the time you'll just be competing with yourself unless there's someone actually close to your level at your weight. My meet before last I won first by tie breaker by being 3lbs lighter than the guy I tied with. That was the most competitive and satisfying win of mine. This last one I did I got second and the guy that won was opening with way more than my thirds by far, so no chance lol. It was still fun though.

Awesome,

I'll probably grab a belt then, just see how hard I can go.. mostly for fun.

Okay, so I guess I dont need straps... right now my legs will give out before my grip.. so shouldnt be an issue.

Yeah, I've seen some guys at a meet with no one else in their weight class, still a good time.

Thanks bro

 

[Old]

Welcome.
How old is too old?

I'm a couple years from 60 and began lifting cautiously 2 1/2 years ago - only freeweights, starting with dumbbells. Have bad forearm tendons so have to use straps when going over 100lbs/arm.

When needing to go beyond dumbbells was concerned I'd get hurt with barbells so ended up getting Rippetoe's book "Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training". Don't know what others think about his books but it was a good place to start and he painstakingly stresses form and safety. He isn't into using belts. Also pointed out that by learning to do squats correctly, one can do full weight, full form even with a torn ACL. The point being that with proper form, muscle hold joints together. With bad from, ligaments get stressed which can be destructive. [Guess muscles hold you together when you're awake. Ligaments hold you together when you sleep].

In my case have a blown disk for 20 years which causes sciatica pain. Also osteoporosis in every bone they've looked at. So proceeded slowly with squats and deadlifts to try to build core and stabilize back so didn't want to mask anything with a belt ... or push too fast and have a vertebra collapse or the rupture get more funky. Now have zero sciatic pain and have reached ~350 lbs which isn't bragging rights but good for me (old, 6'1", 185lbs). Also bone density has increased beyond any expectations. I realize the legs could be stronger if using a machine but what is the point if the back can't take it in real life? For this reason I favor complex movements and free weights. But no doubt doing a competition would require isolation work as well. I just compete with self.

I like that site but wish they also broke down by height. They do compensate for age though.

Am a novice here, so take it for what it is worth. Many experienced member can contribute much better info. But perhaps this helps since you mention old, straps, belts and ACL.

Wish you success

 

[Worf]

Have to convert to lbs but this is a good chart.
Don’t need to have an elite total to compete, just sign up for a meet that’s 2 months out and do a prep. Go to the meet, pop that cherry and see where you’re at. I just did my first a month ago, it was a great experience. Good learning experience and it was fun too. I know what I need to improve on and gives me direction with my training.
Depending on what fed you compete in knee wraps with put you in a different division. Get a good belt and knee sleeves are good for knee health. The wraps can have a learning curve so if you decide to buy them you’ll have to train in them before you use them in a meet.

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Welcome.
How old is too old?

I'm a couple years from 60 and began lifting cautiously 2 1/2 years ago - only freeweights, starting with dumbbells. Have bad forearm tendons so have to use straps when going over 100lbs/arm.

When needing to go beyond dumbbells was concerned I'd get hurt with barbells so ended up getting Rippetoe's book "Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training". Don't know what others think about his books but it was a good place to start and he painstakingly stresses form and safety. He isn't into using belts. Also pointed out that by learning to do squats correctly, one can do full weight, full form even with a torn ACL. The point being that with proper form, muscle hold joints together. With bad from, ligaments get stressed which can be destructive. [Guess muscles hold you together when you're awake. Ligaments hold you together when you sleep].

In my case have a blown disk for 20 years which causes sciatica pain. Also osteoporosis in every bone they've looked at. So proceeded slowly with squats and deadlifts to try to build core and stabilize back so didn't want to mask anything with a belt ... or push too fast and have a vertebra collapse or the rupture get more funky. Now have zero sciatic pain and have reached ~350 lbs which isn't bragging rights but good for me (old, 6'1", 185lbs). Also bone density has increased beyond any expectations. I realize the legs could be stronger if using a machine but what is the point if the back can't take it in real life? For this reason I favor complex movements and free weights. But no doubt doing a competition would require isolation work as well. I just compete with self.

I like that site but wish they also broke down by height. They do compensate for age though.

Am a novice here, so take it for what it is worth. Many experienced member can contribute much better info. But perhaps this helps since you mention old, straps, belts and ACL.

Wish you success

Good on you my friend!

I'm not that bad... but I'm not great either lol.

I love the no excuse attitude that you and other lifters have.
It's quite refreshing!

I find wraps really helped for my ACL
But I'm transitioning to sleeves...
One.. takes too long to remove my wraps and put them back on again between sets...
Two... I want to lift raw

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Welcome and subbed.. we are all newbies at one point, I still am. Listen to Perrin he is a wealth of advice.

Thanks bro
I'm really excited to get into it.

Everyone needs a hobby...
Bodybuilding was mine, but the heavy weights are calling my.name!

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Have to convert to lbs but this is a good chart.
Don’t need to have an elite total to compete, just sign up for a meet that’s 2 months out and do a prep. Go to the meet, pop that cherry and see where you’re at. I just did my first a month ago, it was a great experience. Good learning experience and it was fun too. I know what I need to improve on and gives me direction with my training.
Depending on what fed you compete in knee wraps with put you in a different division. Get a good belt and knee sleeves are good for knee health. The wraps can have a learning curve so if you decide to buy them you’ll have to train in them before you use them in a meet.

I keep hearing that advice!
Must be good lol!

I'm tempted to just go, have some fun and make some contacts... maybe some guys and places I could learn from.

I actually out 40 lbs on my deadlift just by watching some videos and learning about form.

I can only imagine my form gains if I actually had the opportunity to meet (pun intended) some powerlifters and learn

 

[Btcowboy]

Thanks bro
I'm really excited to get into it.

Everyone needs a hobby...
Bodybuilding was mine, but the heavy weights are calling my.name!

That sounds a lot like me a month ago and havent looked back

 

[NovaFlex]

Thanks bro
I'm really excited to get into it.

Everyone needs a hobby...
Bodybuilding was mine, but the heavy weights are calling my.name!

If done right, you can still keep / put on a lot of mass while reaching great numbers.

 

[Worf]

If done right, you can still keep / put on a lot of mass while reaching great numbers.

Yes, this true. A blessing and a curse for some. Im improving on all my lifts. My body weight is gradually creeping up. I honestly don’t want any size. Id really like to loose some weight. Unfortunately it seems to result in a strength drop even if I do it very slowly.

 

[NovaFlex]

Yes, this true. A blessing and a curse for some. Im improving on all my lifts. My body weight is gradually creeping up. I honestly don’t want any size. Id really like to loose some weight. Unfortunately it seems to result in a strength drop even if I do it very slowly.

Definitely not good if you’re trying to maintain a weight for a comp. I almost feel like you’d have to bulk up and gain more strength, then cut to your comp weight and hope to maintain some of that strength.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I'm about five pounds lighter today than when I started gear a little over four years ago. Lifts are way higher and body composition is way better.

 

[NovaFlex]

I'm about five pounds lighter today than when I started gear a little over four years ago. Lifts are way higher and body composition is way better.

But did you maintain the same weight throughout, or bulk some?

 

[Perrin Aybara]

But did you maintain the same weight throughout, or bulk some?

A lot of maintaining, but bulking and cutting too.

 

[Silentlemon1011]

Definitely not good if you’re trying to maintain a weight for a comp. I almost feel like you’d have to bulk up and gain more strength, then cut to your comp weight and hope to maintain some of that strength.

I'm all about the size.
But of a dilemma to be honest, I'm into BB.
But I also want to be competitive when I get going

I'm about five pounds lighter today than when I started gear a little over four years ago. Lifts are way higher and body composition is way better.

How did you manage that if you dont mind my asking?
switching your routine to something like 2 reps?
(that's what a friend recommended for me.. sets of 2 until 2 rep max)

I assume you also use compounds like Tbol