*increased sodium intake recommended for this blog. Approximately 1-2 grains.
So you’re ready for your first comp, hopefully you’ve made the smart move and gone for a high level sanctioned comp. Just because you’re a novice doesn’t mean you should start with a novice comp, that’s weak sauce and you know it. Starting on top means you can learn from your mistakes as you go in a high pressure environment, allowing your nerves and inexperience to drive you to perform better, harder and stronger.
Competing around experienced, elite lifters whose deadlift is just under your total will give you more to aspire to, and make you feel better about your performance. Definitely don’t start in a friendly competition with the support of your peers who are there to learn, just like you.
Clothes prep for smrt people
You should make sure you have purchased every possible item of clothing and equipment with the same brand, preferably the most expensive the market has to offer, and don’t even think about doing a price comparison. If you turn up wearing comfortable, unmatched gym clothes and your usual training equipment at your very first comp, people will rightly laugh at you, mocking you until the end of time itself. The last thing you want is to be relaxed and comfortable in what you’re wearing at your first competition. Just grab it that morning too, don’t bother packing everything carefully from an organised list, and don’t even look twice at it once you’re done. Pro tip: Forget your custom deadlift socks and borrow some from a complete stranger. This will trick them into thinking you’re a complete noob, ensuring your status as an alpha. Then… you strike.
Pre-cooked meals are for babies and the weak
Rely on the venue to have everything you need. Preparing your own food is just a waste of your valuable time. As long as they have burgers, chips, a can of coke and possibly a mars bar, you’ll be at the top of your game. Those people who turn up with easily digestible high carb snacks, plenty of water, some sports drinks and small, convenient meals are just losers who can’t afford to live the high life you enjoy. While you’re at it, dry scoop your pre workout into your mouth like you’ve seen on instagram. It hits way harder and won’t give you that horrible feeling of having your digestive system working properly. Plus less water consumption, which is 232% scientifically proven to be harmful to the human body. Facts don’t lie.
Ok then this all seems good, how do I warm up then?
You want to win, right? Right. Winning happens in the warm up area. All alphas warm up heavy, and never worry about preparing their body for a long day of lifting. Your competition is probably focusing on their own numbers, which is a classic beta move. So if the guy next to you is warming up with more than you, be sure to match him. If he’s warming up with more than your max, well that’s just the price you pay for success. Your coach is probably a beta too, definitely don’t listen to them. Be sure to also give the recording table new openers which are slightly under your current max. Or just give them your max, you know you’ll beat it.
The Attention Platform awaits you
So this is it. You’re here. Sure you’re first to lift in your weight class, but that’s ok, you’ll show them. It’s important to set the stage with a massive set up show. Scream loudly and if you have a catch phrase, now is the time to let it rip. “The champ is here!”, or “My time to shine!” are good ones. This is what the people came to see, or at least they would have if COVID had let you have the audience you deserve. With your lifts, now is the time to implement technique changes that you’ve seen in the warm up area. Changing plans on the day is what separates the wheat from the chaff. Don’t just rely on the techniques you’ve practiced for months and remember – your coach is a complete beta. They want mediocrity for you, because it makes them look solid and dependable. Shoot for the moon champ.
How to bask in your success
So you’ve finished on a high, of course you have you glorious specimen. Getting called for depth on your first and second squats, forgetting to wait for the start call and the start and rack calls on bench, AND dropping your deadlift in excitement. You also managed to get a warning for swearing. Looks like it’s time to sit back, relax and reflect on your day. Except you can’t relax, your nervous system is on fire, you took 6 scoops of preworkout, your brain is singing a Belgian battle hymn and you’re so tired you want to cry (but you will never admit that weakness). Sure there are other ways you could have taken this day, but you regret nothing, because you are now a competitive powerlifter.
Fin.
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