Your First Meet: What the Experts Say

I’ve got my first meet coming up at the end of January. As part of my preparation I researched as much possible advice as I could find out there for new weightlifters going to their first meet. While nothing beats having a coach to be able to walk you through everything, here is what I found.

Jim Schmitz: Your First Competition

Jim’s website ‘Ironmind’ is a great resource for articles on weightlifting, and his post on your first competition did not disappoint. The biggest takeaway from the article for me was Jim’s recommendations on what to warm-up with. His sample openers just so happened to be the same openers I planned to use (75/95… stop laughing).

Jacob Tsypkin: A Guide To Your 1st Weightlighting Meet [Part 2]

Jacob’s two-part series stands apart as incredibly comprehensive. Detailing everything from your mental state, to what to bring, how to estimate when you’ll be lifting, and how to approach your warm-ups.

70s Big: Your First Weightlifting Meet

This article is a lot more about what to do in the week leading up to your first meet and the advice seems to gel with what the other articles say. The most unique idea I saw suggested a new lifter consider power snatching / cleaning their first attempt. Especially for lifters whose strength is greater than their technique, this is an interesting idea.

Reddit: Signed up for first meet!

Let me just take a moment to extol the wonder of Reddit for weightlifters. There are some seriously experienced lifters on there who hare open-handed with advice, form critiques, and answering any questions you may have. As you can see, user olymic_lifter provided detailed answers for all of the original posters’ questions and follow-up questions.

Do you have any other great resources for a beginner weightlifters’ first meet? Leave them in the comments.