When I ask new lifters what powerlifting meet they are going to do, this is one answer I seem to get over and over again.

Why is that?

What sort of precedence as a community are we setting for people interested in the sport? This is a topic I have been wanting to dive into for some time now.

No matter what federation we compete in, what program we are on, how big the meet is or how much weight we move, the sole reason we started our path in the sport of powerlifting is because we found enjoyment in what we do. The friendships and bonds that I personally have made through my journey through the world of strength and fitness is mind-blowing to think about. I would have never met and befriended some of the people I talk to on a day to day basis. 

That being said, as a whole we should be asking ourselves, “what have we done as a community to make new lifters so uncomfortable on the platform?” 

With the world in it’s current state, many have relied on social media platforms to stay in touch with friends, family and also to stay in the know with the world of strength sports. Many amazing accounts such as @USPAPower @KingOfTheLifts @USAPowerlifting @SisyphusStrength and many many others use these platforms to showcase lifters and their astounding accomplishments on the platform. I can think of many inspiring performances I have seen through the 5 inch screen of my phone that have fired me up to train harder then I ever have.

But that still doesn’t answer our question as to why people make the comment  “I’m not strong enough to compete”. One would think that would motivate one to take the leap and sign up for their first meet!

Sadly this isn’t the case most times…

As a coach, I have seen people come and go in this sport for many reasons. But here I have accumulated a few key points to contemplate when thinking “Am I strong enough to compete?”:

     1) The fear of failure

This is an interesting one to say the least because I have been introduced to many strong lifters that have never competed before. Whenever the idea of competing comes around they seem to shy away. I find this due to them seeing too much of a risk of failure. I have also seen lifters back out of meets, get excessively irate about having a bad lift in the gym and even just stop training in it’s entirety due to them not having the performance that they wanted on any given day. Whether the reason be they feel beat down physically/mentally, don’t like the program they are on, or any other reason under the sun, it all boils down to not wanting to have a bad day. To anyone reading this, seasoned champion or everyday enthusiast, I guarantee that you are not the first person to have a bad training session.

That brings me to my next point. 

     2) The lack of enjoyment

It doesn’t matter what program you are on, what gym you go to, how many likes you have on your Instagram post, IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN YOU WILL NOT PERFORM AT YOUR BEST. We all remembers a time in their life when we were forced to do something we didn’t want to do. Maybe it was cleaning your room as a young child, sitting in school listening to a monotone lecture for hours on end, etc. Did you find yourself putting forth the same amount of effort as you would something you enjoyed? The same concept applies to your training. If you don’t like split squats you will not do them with 100% effort. If you don’t like doing incline bench you will not do them with 100% effort. If you don’t like doing reverse banded, chained, wagon wheel, paused, box, shoulder presses… Guess what… You will not do them with 100% effort. Find a program you enjoy. Hire a Coach that listens to your needs. Join a gym that you enjoy being at. Set yourself up to be in the best possible position to train for success.

That brings me to my third and final point.

     3) Fall in love with the process

Yes the point of powerlifting is to put as much weight on the bar as you possibly can, perform the lift to your given federations standards successfully, and hopefully do better than every lifter that is there. I get that. But there is absolutely no way you can do that without heart and love for this sport. Love what you do. Love that you have the opportunity to perform in front of your loved ones and show them how hard you have been working. I can guarantee if you asked any of the top lifters in the world what was going through their head when they decided to pursue their success they have attained, they would answer it’s because they love to do what they do.

If there is nothing else you take from this post, just hear me now…

Take the leap…

Don’t worry that you may not win. Don’t worry that you’re not putting up as big of numbers as some other competitors. Don’t worry that you’re not doing some of the same crazy exercises that some lifters are doing.

Don’t worry…

Get out there, have a blast, and show the world how hard you have worked.

Let’s get Stronger Together.

Let’s get…

Stronger. Every. Day.

Follow our Instagram for more content like this and spread the word! @Torqued_Training_Systems