This post was written by Bear Ross, human performance specialist, Parkview Sports Medicine.
The sport of powerlifting has grown immensely in the last five years. With more and more athletes looking to showcase their strength, getting some key educational messages into conversation is important. As a nationally ranked powerlifter for more than four years, there are some written and unwritten rules I’d like to pass along to ensure that everyone, new and experienced, has a positive experience so the sport can continue to grow. Here are my top do’s and don’ts of powerlifting.
Do: Just compete!
People often ask me when they should consider competing. They say they aren’t strong enough yet or don’t know how to do it. My response is always the same: Just do a meet. Powerlifting meets are a great way to meet new people, showcase your progress in a supportive environment and gain experience to fuel improvement. There is no minimum standard of strength for most competitions. And really, your first meet should be about enjoying the day and lifting as heavy as you can. Go for a personal best and don’t worry about anything else.
Don’t: Compare yourself to others.
Powerlifting is a sport of peaks and valleys. Strength levels and fatigue can vary greatly from one training session to another. It’s important to stay focused on long-term goals and not be distracted by bad training sessions.
Do: Volunteer to pitch in.
Powerlifting meets are about so much more than just the lifters. The planning and staffing it takes to put on a meet are significant. The athletes can’t just show up. It takes spotters, loaders, meet directors, venue hosts, etc. If you are solely competing and never volunteering to spot or load, you are not fully involved with the sport. Spotters and loaders lift more weight than any competitor throughout the day and meets wouldn’t happen without them. Volunteer!
Don’t: Be negative.
The best part about current powerlifting is the culture amongst the lifters. Everyone is pushing to be better, so support from everyone is vital. We are all reaching for the same goal to get stronger. Kindness and support, especially on meet days, are amazing gestures that cost nothing and really heighten the experience for all involved. Don’t be the person who roots against people or is negative towards competitors within or outside your weight class. Although powerlifting is growing, it’s still a very tight community and word travels fast about who the “problem lifters” are. Don’t be a bad apple.
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