I finally got a powerlifting belt. first one i've ever had. not sure why i never got one but i decided to get one with my first powerlifting meet coming up.

monday the 1st
raw bench plus 60 lbs chain
135x10
225x10
275x5
315x5
365x3
405x1 slow pause

incline bench
135x10
225x10
275x8
315x6
365x2

that's it.

wed. the 3rd
deads from floor w/ new belt
135x5
225x5
315x5
405x5
495x3
565x 3 singles

belt is a little stiff but i think i can manage. ordered the belt "soft", was told this helps the breaking in process

squat w/ belt
135x5
225x5
315x5
405x3
495x3
585xmiss added knee wraps

my squat has went to peices. i felt much better about it a month ago but since then i've just been rattled. belt was fine. i get a different tightness that i think has got me confused. i just need more reps. went without a box up until the 585 attempt. used a 15" box for it and ended up sitting on it and never making it back up. i think my depth has really started to mentally get in my head.

Glad that you got a powerlifting belt. Learn to really push against it and you will feel tighter. The squat is learning curve. The thing that probably happened is that you were squatting a bit high before, then when you started trying to hit depth, you have had a problem sitting back in proper position. I had some issues back over a year ago. I pulled the box out and was sitting down too much and my knees were shifting forward. This is probably happening to you. Remember to sit back first and then down a bit in the hole. I would have loved to have worked with you on this. If you work with people that have only really done equipped lifting, they will have a difficult time knowing what to do....I did before is how I know. Matt and I had this conversation the other day. Just make sure you deload for the meet and you will do good. Just more rooom to grow once you get your form honed in.

yeah adam, i would have liked to come to GSB but this and that happens and i've got a pregnant wife so i've just been busy. anyways, i think my depth is close. my left knee just doesn't bend as well as my right so I think that stops me right around parr.

regardless i'll be there on the 27th. I guess there isn't a deadling for entries? at least i don't remember seeing one on the form.

i might end up opening with 500 on squat. i feel confident i can get that much without trouble.

what about bending at the back? that seems to be what i taught myself to do. bar goes lower but my hips don't?

Trust me, I understand. I am glad that you are competing. I think that you will have fun and it will help you. I would open with something that is around 80-85% and you will set yourself up for a good meet.

I would not bend at the back. Most lifters miss from going forward too much at the back and dumping the weight. You have to stay in line with hips and thighs to have your full power. The things that you need to do is push out on your belt as hard as humanly possible while arching your back. As you descend you want to break at the hips first, pushing your knees out and sit back until you are in position (usually for me is around half way down), then start sitting down. Don't drop straight down but rather a more of half and half motion. Half down and half back. A big thing is make sure that you are always on your heels and not your toes. This is a good indicator of whether or not you are sitting back enough. When coming out of the hole, you really have to push that chest as high as possible so you don't do a good morning. I have done this in the past. I corrected by concetrating on doing that and driving my head back as well as good mornings (very light).

I hope I explained that clearly. I will try and help on your warmup sets there. Any other questions, just ask. Good luck!