When is the best time to compete?
One of the biggest take-aways from the talk by Dr Sergii Putsov (which I wrote about here) was just how frequently and how soon, weightlifters compete in the Eastern European / old Soviet system. Full time lifters there often reach maturity having already competed up to 8 times a year as juniors. Even beginners are competing 3-4 times a year. Following this advice, the best time to compete is… tomorrow!
I think there are a few considerations to make before entering your first competition. Things that will make it more likely to be a fun and positive experience.
Enter your first competition:
As soon as you can perform a sound technical lift in which you would achieve 3 white lights. There is no point competing before you know how to lock out the bar overhead or are missing 3 out of 5 lifts. Getting sound technique should always come first, in part for your safety and in part so you can keep enjoying the sport as long as possible.
When your team mates or coach are competing. Some people, for some reason, want their first comp to be on their own. My guess is they think they’ll feel less pressure or don’t want to be the centre of any attention. I think this is a mistake. Any competition will make you centre of attention for 3 snatches and 3 clean and jerks, why not have some friendly faces in that crowd and get some support? If you enter a comp on your own because you think less people you know will be less pressure, consider this; a coach coming all the way to a comp for you alone may still feel like pressure. A room full of strangers watching you lift may feel like pressure. You can’t escape a sense of pressure to perform because its largely internal. It’s part of the sport and what makes competition different to training so you’d better get used to it and learn to use it with good effect.
Aiming to go 6 for 6. Getting a total is the most important part of competition but HOW you get that total will be the base for your confidence and success going forwards. Speaking as someone who has bombed out more than once, securing a total by lifting well is far more important than attempting PB’s and bombing out. Remember your first few comps are for experience. You aren’t going there to win per se, but if you do then great. Learn to compete first then you can compete to win.
Entering competitions now could not be any easier. They are currently being held online and in the UK you can max out every month if you’re so inclined. You can stay in your home gym with zero spectators and well within your comfort zone. You don’t even have to upload your entry if you end up not doing as well as you’d hoped. There isn’t really a downside, except, maybe…
Performance
Some lifters thrive on the buzz of a small crowd, both in training and competition. It’s hard to ‘compete’ if you don’t know what anyone else in your weight class is lifting. Sometimes that is exactly the push you need to bring out your best lifts. Only the really internally motivated will do their best lifts in a virtual comp using uploads (not live on Zoom for example). The thing about competition performance is; you have to try to PERFORM. This double edged sword could be just what you need to find that internal drive. Practice controlling your own arousal level. Find music that gets you to the same place, or even get a couple of mates round to help you out. Still enter to compete and still perform to your best ability.
My advice to everyone is do as many competitions as your life schedule will allow. You don’t have to peak for them all. You do have to get comfortable with the format and the rules. Start now rather than sitting around waiting for the perfect time or when you feel ‘ready’.
You can always be better and competing will help you on your way.