Discuss all aspects of training for powerlifting:

• Periodization
• Nutrition
• Movement selection
• Routine critiques
• etc...

Here you can:

• Discuss all aspects of powerlifting as it pertains to being a woman.
• Socialize with other ladies.
• If you have discussion provoking bullet points, those are welcome too.

https://usapl.liftingdatabase.com/lifters-view?id=55690 is my lifters database, as always.

Honestly? I don't even know where to begin with this. The tl;dr version is that the meet went bad, in pretty much any way one can imagine it going bad. I got violently ill, for a good ten days straight, about 6 weeks out from the meet, lost another three weeks recovering, and spent two weeks trying to salvage anything I could before the meet only to break myself in the process.

The lifts. Mind you, the 195kg deadlift may be nsfl, and is definitely nsfw. Unless your co workers are crazy like me.

I chunked the videos in a playlist, here.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB7n-Xr0Uar4

Squats: i skipped these because even something as light as 300lbs in training felt like a house, so i figured i would save the energy for a push/pull.

Bench: 92.5 (good), 105 (miss), 105 (miss)

Bench press started at 92.5kg to get points on the board, and then it just derailed from there. The first miss my ass came up off the bench, so, definitely valid that it was a no go there. The second miss i honestly think was due to bad judging. There were a lot of lifts throughout where the judges were being a lot harsher than i think they needed to be, and not just with me, but in general, it was a very strict meet.

Deadlift: 160kg good, 195kg injury and no lift.

I had already thrown out squats completely, and bench press was a complete mess. My deadlift at 160 felt extremely taxing and heavy, and i figured i had enough energy left for maybe one more attempt. I really wanted to PR this meet so that left me with only one option, to deadlift 195kg, and failed.

The injury

The weight went up easily enough until my bicep tendon snapped completely and i dropped the weight.

Honestly im still rather mad and frustrated with not getting this lift. I think the tear distracted me, and had i been able to mentally push through the idea that the damage was already done, i think i could have gotten the lift.

On the other hand, i also felt the bar slipping well before this happened and probably should have shut it down before tearing anything, but i was pretty much in full competition mode and desperately needing a PR, so digging deep and sending it was the only option.

Training

I have been doing Dan John's easy strength for awhile now. I still think this methodology works pretty well, at least for me. And breaking myself aside, the 195kg attempt was going up smoothly enough that i honestly believe that I have another 15kg in the tank, just waiting to be released.

Essentially, the training is solid, overall. Getting sick set me back quite a bit and i should have throttled back as a result, not forward.

Anyway, Dan John's easy strength is more or less, 3-5 exercises, 3-5 days a week, and no more than ten reps on each exercise each session. The magic is that its the same workout, 3x a week, and the sets can be manipulated to have an easy day (1 set of 10), a medium day, (2 sets of 5), and a hard day (3 sets of 3, with maybe an extra rep in the last set). Very adaptable, and highly mallable to any sport someone might wish tocplay.

Key takeaways

Mixed grip is bad. Or, well, in my case, i used it as a crutch for poor grip strength and paid a hefty price for it. I also check my bicep like 20 times a day to make sure its still intact. That sounds utterly ridiculous but consider that there was remarkably little pain after it happened, even after the shocknand adrenaline wore off. Also make sure you find a competent surgeon and not someone who is just looking to make as much cash as possible.

Time to recover and rebuild and come back stronger than ever in 2028.

How do you guys go about finding coaches? I have one but he’s been lagging and I might have to let him go

Alright, since the last similar post about this is years old, and the links usually don't work, here's another one.

Where is everyone finding affordable and IPL/IPF approved singlets online?

Do you have a question and are:

• A novice and basically clueless by default?
• Completely incapable of using google?
• Just feeling plain stupid today and need shit explained like you're 5?

Then this is the thread FOR YOU! Don't take up valuable space on the front page and annoy the mods, ASK IT HERE and one of our resident "experts" will try and answer it. As long as it's somehow related to powerlifting then nothing is too generic, too stupid, too awful, too obvious or too repetitive. And don't be shy, we don't bite (unless we're hungry), and no one will judge you because everyone had to start somewhere and we're more than happy to help newbie lifters out.

SO FIRE AWAY WITH YOUR DUMBNESS!!!

Do you like having 2-3 sweaty men shoe-horn you into polyester, canvas or denim bondage gear.

Do you like having your joints wrapped so tightly they bruise and bleed?

Do you like having your blood pressure turned up to 11 and being compressed so much that you think your head might explode?

Do you get off on enduring pain and suffering, and watching others endure it too?

Do you have a deathwish every time you get under the bar?

Yes?

THEN WELCOME TO THE FORTNIGHTLY EQUIPPED LIFTING THREAD!!!

This is my second pair that's ripped in about the same spot. This set is a warranty replacement and is about 10 months old.

Both sides show the same failure.

Anyone else have this same problem?

Any other "hour glass" shaped sleeves just as good?

Thank you

This is the thread to post your:

• Powerlifting accomplishments
• Training PRs
• Gym or diet related victories
• Best flexing photos
• Sweet new equipment purchases
• Gym dog or gym family photos

Or really anything you felt good or happy about from the last week (or even further back in time, no one's gonna stop you).

Text, images, videos, any format goes.

Let's get those good vibes flowing.

My best deadlift is 280 kg at 117 kg, now my best is 270 kg at 106 kg (July 2026) I’m just wondering what % of your max do you normally workout at? Are you going over 90% of your 1 rep max? Or staying at around 75-80%?

I’m just wondering cause when i don’t go over let’s say 225-230 kg once in awhile i feel like everything around 230 kg starts to get heavy you know what i mean? Like lately i have been staying at 190-200 kg 5-6 reps 2-3 sets. But today i went for 230 kg and it felt like really heavy!

Goal is 300 kg This December!!

A sorta kinda daily open thread to use as an alternative to posting on the main board. You should post here for:

• PRs
• Formchecks
• Rudimentary discussion or questions
• General conversation with other users
• Memes, funnies, and general bollocks not appropriate to the main board
• If you have suggestions for the subreddit, let us know!
• This thread now defaults to "new" sorting.

For the purpose of fairness across timezones this thread works on a 68hr cycle.

This is the Deadlift Thread.

• Discuss technique and training methods.
• Request form checks.
• Discuss programs.
• Post your favourite lifters deadlifting.
• Talk about how much you love/hate deadlifting.

Hi all! I (female, 36) have a meet coming up in Nov, Oct 24 is the last day to change weight class. Ideally I'd rather be in the class below me, less people and the weights I lift are more suited to that class. I'm currently in 100+kg class and 7ish pounds (3kilos) away from 100kg. If I change my class and don't meet that weight, I won't be eligible for awards. I've never attempted a cut before, but have been told I should be able to do it with no major issues.

Should I attempt to drop 7+lbs in the next 10 days and probably place or stay where I'm at and compete with the big girls?

For discussion of:

• Eating all the food when you want to get swole
• Eating less of the food when you're too fluffy
• Diet methods and plans
• Favourite foods and recipes
• How awful dieting is

I’m 6’3, 228lbs and recently hit a bench max of 315lbs. It took me two years to achieve (used to play football so my max two years ago was 215, I was 175lbs but really skinny because I’m tall.) I want to continue to improve to a 405lb bench max. If I can get a 405lb bench, a 500lb squat, and a 550lb deadlift, and I get down to 220lbs bodyweight, what are my chances of winning a local IPF meet or even getting 2nd or 3rd?

IPF IMPORTANT NOTICE – STIFF KNEE SLEEVES

As announced at the IPF General Assembly on June 12, 2026, the prohibition on stiff knee sleeves will take effect January 1, 2027, at all IPF-sanctioned competitions, including national, regional, and international events.

The following knee sleeve models, previously identified on the IPF Approved List of Apparel and Equipment, are affected by this prohibition:

* INZER ErgoPro / ErgoPro Kona (ID 270)
* Titan TKS 7mm (ID 127)
* ONI Knee Sleeve Pro (ID 113)
* Strength Shop Inferno PRO Extra Stiff (ID 221-1)
* Fortex 7mm Extra Stiff (ID 205)
* A7 Hourglass Rigor Mortis (ID 100)
* ⁠Stoic Heavy Knee Sleeve (ID 73)previously listed on the IPF Approved List under ID number 73.

These models remain permitted through December 31, 2026.

All IPF Member Nations, Regional Federations, and their respective Technical Chairs are requested to communicate and ensure compliance with this requirement.

IPF Executive Committee

A sorta kinda daily open thread to use as an alternative to posting on the main board. You should post here for:

• PRs
• Formchecks
• Rudimentary discussion or questions
• General conversation with other users
• Memes, funnies, and general bollocks not appropriate to the main board
• If you have suggestions for the subreddit, let us know!
• This thread now defaults to "new" sorting.

For the purpose of fairness across timezones this thread works on a 68hr cycle.

Discuss all aspects of training for powerlifting:

• Periodization
• Nutrition
• Movement selection
• Routine critiques
• etc...

Hey everyone!

New-ish to powerlifting (about 4 months of planned, focused training), but I plan to take it seriously moving forward. I have my debut competition in about 6 weeks.

I'm looking for a belt. Going for an SBD one but have the classic 10/13 mm dilemma.

I'm a 36 y/o, 66kg, 1,68m male. I've been practicing using a 10mm and it feels pretty comfortable, my totals aren't that high though (135kg squar, 150kg deadlift, 87,5kg bench press).

Some people have told me to go with the 10mm since I'm used to it, I'm not that big, and my loads aren't that high, while being more comfortable and easier to break in. Some others have told me to go with the 13mm since it allows for better bracing and is better in the long run.

What are your thoughts? I'm legit 50/50 and don't know what to do. Thanks!

Here you can:

• Discuss all aspects of powerlifting as it pertains to being a woman.
• Socialize with other ladies.
• If you have discussion provoking bullet points, those are welcome too.

Do you like having 2-3 sweaty men shoe-horn you into polyester, canvas or denim bondage gear.

Do you like having your joints wrapped so tightly they bruise and bleed?

Do you like having your blood pressure turned up to 11 and being compressed so much that you think your head might explode?

Do you get off on enduring pain and suffering, and watching others endure it too?

Do you have a deathwish every time you get under the bar?

Yes?

THEN WELCOME TO THE FORTNIGHTLY EQUIPPED LIFTING THREAD!!!

Do you like having 2-3 sweaty men shoe-horn you into polyester, canvas or denim bondage gear.

Do you like having your joints wrapped so tightly they bruise and bleed?

Do you like having your blood pressure turned up to 11 and being compressed so much that you think your head might explode?

Do you get off on enduring pain and suffering, and watching others endure it too?

Do you have a deathwish every time you get under the bar?

Yes?

THEN WELCOME TO THE FORTNIGHTLY EQUIPPED LIFTING THREAD!!!