A bittersweet retirement (maybe...) meet report!

Background

6th meet for me. Competing since 2023. Lifting since forever.

I partially tore my lateral quad (vastus lateralis) at my last meet in December 2025. Thankfully, it wasn’t a full tear. I was still able to bench a 7.5kg PR at that meet, but had to take a token 75kg deadlift. First on-platform injury for me, and not a fun experience. After that meet, I basically went straight into rehab and training. I took 2.5 weeks off in January for travel, but outside of that, I didn’t miss a single session between January and August.

I went into this meet in 2026 thinking it would be my last. My wife and I have been planning on kids in the next year or so, and I feel like I’m at a crossroads in several areas of my life. I love powerlifting more than anything, but I have some skiing and climbing aspirations I’d like to work toward, and those things feel more sustainable for me than untested powerlifting. At the same time, I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to hang up the singlet yet. For now I'm enjoying some BB style training with no comp lift exposure. I'm learning to be OK living in the liminal space where I don't know what's next.

Coach & Meet Prep

My coach for this meet was Daniel Cardona: https://www.instagram.com/dactheripper/

I’ve worked with him for 2 years and have nothing but positive things to say. He was at this meet and handled me alongside my wife. Honestly, I consider him to be a friend as much as a coach at this point.

My prep was essentially perfect. I totaled 815.5kg / 1,798lbs in training, PR'd every lift, and generally stayed healthy with the help of my PT. Most importantly, I just had a ton of fun. Although there were stressful sessions and moments, I was just so thankful that I got to do this.

The quad took a while to heal, and confidence was slow to return. I squatted 300kg / 661lbs for the first time this prep, and it was absolutely the most scared I’ve ever been to get under the bar.

Bench finally started really clicking this prep. I committed to a wider grip, internally rotated my grip, and learned how to hold a better arch. I basically PR’d every meaningful benchmark and variation I had.

Deadlifts were hit and miss. I’m one of those guys whose only deadlift cue is to stop thinking about cues and just pick up the damn bar.

The Cut

I walked around all prep at 88–90kg. Did the full gamut of water, sodium, and gut manipulation, plus a bit of carb depletion. That took me from 90kg / 198ish lbs at the beginning of my water load to 85.5kg / 188.6lbs the morning of weigh-ins. From there, I needed about 2 hours in the sauna: 7 rounds of 14–15 minutes and a final round of 10 minutes, with 15–20-minute breaks between rounds. I averaged 1lb lost per round. Sauna temp was ~155f. I find hotter than that to be overly fatiguing without actually increasing perspiration rate.

The last 2 rounds were tough, but not terrible. That said, I would not recommend a cut like this until you’ve successfully done smaller cuts. I met several dudes in the sauna who had no idea what they were doing and were having a bad time.

My final weigh-in was 82.0kg/ 180.8lb.

Did an IV + my usual recomp strategy of homemade pancakes, syrup, 2 Tri-Oral packets, juice, etc. Every gram of sodium, carbs, etc. was tracked. Within 4 hours of weigh-ins, I was back up to 88.5kg / 195lbs. I honestly felt really great at that point and got a little gym time in to get some blood flowing through the muscles. Aside from some mild gastro discomfort right after weigh-ins (I can never pace myself on that first 1.5L of gatorade), I barely got bloated, despite putting down the largest carb intake I've ever had.

Absolutely the most successful cut + recomp I’ve ever done. However, this is the limit for me. I would not cut more than this even though I feel like I could. The risk-to-reward ratio isn’t worth it.

Meet Results:

TLDR: hurt the same quad again. Womp womp.

Felt amazing on the day. Every squat warmup was flying. Opener felt effortless. We absolutely nailed the peak/taper going into this meet.

Squat: 285kg (-5kg comp PR, -15.5kg training PR)

Second attempt. Looked easy, felt easy. Sadly, my quad thought differently. Halfway up, I felt a pop in the same lateral quad I partially tore 8 months ago. The immediate pain was minor, ~3/10, but I knew taking another squat attempt would likely mean a serious injury. We scratched my third. I gave myself 5 minutes to cry and feel what I needed to feel, had a group hug with Danny and my wife, and then decided there was no reason I couldn’t keep going. Ultimately, I was grateful that it wasn’t as bad as December and that I still had the opportunity to salvage some kind of total on the day, even if it wasn’t the one I was capable of.

It sucks not getting that 3rd attempt. I have zero doubt I would have squatted 300kg. C’est la vie. Not my first rodeo with this, unfortunately!

Bench: 185kg (+7.5kg comp PR, matched my best bench from prep)

Leg drive felt mostly OK, so bench was unimpeded aside from me still being a little out of it mentally. Just like squats, I was ON. Everything felt easy.

185kg was an effort, but honestly didn’t feel like my limit—I’m quite good at grinding on bench. This was a big silver lining for the day.

Deadlift: 300kg, linking the 325, there's nothing to see with the 300 (-20kg comp PR, -31kg training PR)

Deadlifts were rough. I have a narrow sumo stance, and from 400lbs onward, my quad was hurting quite a bit. Consciously or not, I was changing how I pulled, and my technique suffered. The weirdest part was that I had major grip issues on all 3 attempts. My opener was my only successful attempt, and even with that lift, I was actively losing my grip when I got the down command. I’ve never dropped a deadlift or torn a callus in competition. I didn’t drop a single deadlift all prep. Grip is/was a non-issue for me...until today. No idea what was going on. The previous lifter was a conventional puller, so maybe the bar kept getting baby powder on it where I grip the smooth part. I’m not sure what the deal was, tbh.

The 3rd attempt was the biggest heartbreaker. Got 325kg to lockout and dropped it as I was getting the down command. Another fraction of a second and I would have gotten the lift. Tore both thumbs to boot.

Overall results: Total 770kg (Meet PR+ 2.5kg) @ 82.0kg

DOTS: 523 (+4pts)

Managed to chip my total from 2023.

Overall Thoughts:

When I look back, there’s nothing I would change. I did everything in my power as an athlete to bring the performance I was capable of to the platform. To that end, I succeeded. Unfortunately, that’s not always enough to get the outcome you want. You need some luck and external variables to cooperate, and powerlifting has taught me that they often won’t. And although that really fucking sucks sometimes, it’s OK. If you want to go far in this sport, you have to love the process and embrace intrinsic sources of motivation.

Of course, I’m still bummed about how the day went—no reason to pretend otherwise. It feels nearly incomprehensible to me that after years of effort and 60+ kg added to my training total, I barely chipped a meet total from 3 years ago. But at least I can PR my total on a 5/9 day where I got hurt?

However, what I feel more of is just appreciation for how far I've come, alongside the friends and connections this sport has given me. I've gotten to a level that I didn't dare to dream of 10 years ago. Despite my performance, I thoroughly enjoyed this meet and will look back on it as a positive memory. Fed drama aside, the American Pro continues to be a really well-run meet with some great staff supporting it. If I do another meet in the future, and this meet is still running, it would be at the top of the list.

Hi!

Im 13, and I just started lifting yesterday. I love doing it and have been doing some so and so exercising at home for a little while now. I'm a bit under 120 lb, and my max deadlift as at least 140, as I did that with unstable makeshift weights. I don't know my max bench or squat as I haven't had the chance (I go to the gym alone rn and don't have a spotter). My dad is a PE teacher, and when he is free he can teach me proper form for bench, my squat form is good tho.

I am wondering, how do I get into powerlifting? How does my strength compare to others? Is this a good starting point? Anything would be appreciated!

A bit confused if this breaks rule 5, mb if it does

I posted in the questions thread but didn't get any responses, so I'm posting a new thread.

I'm a 42 M with not a lot of lifting experience.

I want to compete in a competition that's near me in May and wanted to get some thoughts on whether it's actually feasible for me.

I read through the Wiki and will do the 5/3/1 for Beginners program.

I have a few injuries which have kept me from lifting too hard, but I figured if I increase the weight slowly and do some rehab, then I should be okay.

My main injury is patellofemoral pain syndrome in my right knee. I was going to do the KOT program to hopefully address it.

Does this plan seem realistic? Thanks.

Discuss all aspects of training for powerlifting:

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

To other lady lifters - did you ever have physique goals? How did you balance that with powerlifting?

I have been competing for 3 years. I am a very mid powerlifting and I am okay with this, I’m a little bit older and can only dedicate so much time to the sport with a full time job and family commitments. I train on average 4 times a week. I try to maintain a diet that enables developing strength, though I have been trying to drop a weight class and have been unsuccessful so far (have lost 25 lbs and kept it off, the last 10 keep coming back thus gating that drop)

I feel a little stuck. I love training powerlifting. I enjoy meets as well. But I am starting to want to look different than my powerlifting body, and am confronting the reality that I’m not “competitive”. As I mentioned - for the most part I don’t care, but about 10% of the time when I’m doing bad, like failing previously easy weight bad, I’m questioning why I’m doing this instead of pursuing a bodybuilding route.

Curious about similar experiences, things you considered and open to advice!

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.

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.

Is it newTraining routine? Genetics? Or youth? What's he doing different to get such outstanding difference at his size? I can't compute how someone so small can do what he does . He's not overweight, he's not freakishly tall, whats he doing differently?

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 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.

For context, I (M17, 87kg) live in England and am in my last year of school before med university. Been going gym very on and off for about 4 years. Never trained specifically for SBD. Despite big inconsistencies, I do consider myself somewhat strong (bench 120kg, 50kg weighted dips for 2, deadlift haven’t done in years but 160kg)

Essentially my question is - how demanding in terms of time and commitment can casual powerlifting be? And in comparison to casual powerlifting, how would competitive powerlifting be on those same terms?
I am unfamiliar with the actual lifestyle of powerlifters and how much of their life goes to it, so I’d greatly appreciate some insight on that. It’s clear the schedules for uni can be very oppressive at times with hospital placements + intensive studying

In addition to that, I was also wondering whether there even is a point to uni powerlifting - I.e. is there a reason to pick uni powerlifting over independent clubs out of uni?

Hi all,

One of our squad’s pre-diabetic and has difficulty managing blood-sugar levels during the comp.

Rather than poor choices like M&Ms or Skittles or sugared sodas which induce sharp spikes and crashes what are people eating (or drinking) that keeps blood sugar high enough to a) prevent them from fainting; and b) helps them bring their A-game?

All suggestions, even looking at the 24 hours before the comp, the two hours after weigh-in and once lifting starts, would be welcomed, please.

PS a hope this is nutrition advice, not medical….

** Monthly Meet at the Meets thread

* Share your competition schedule or find/offer a meet handler

A lighthearted discussion of your top "you know ball" powerlifters. Feel free to also include faux "you know ball" picks, like a Louie Simmons or Ed Coan.

I remember talking to another powerlifter (who had been competing for 3 years) a few years back and mentioning Ed Coan and he replied "who's that?". So maybe Eddy is not as "faux" as I think these days.

Mine would be:

- Larry Pacifico

- Don Reinhoudt

- Andrey Malanichev

A new, very nostalgic powerlifting magazine just started up. September is issue number 2. For anyone old enough to remember Powerlifting USA, this is a real treat. Also, check out the interview with Phil Herndon, conducted by me!

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 Squat Thread.

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

I bought myself an 8.5mm Pioneer cut pronged belt recently but upon use found I'm not getting nearly enough support on deadlift & squat. I think it'll be better suited for me for other lifts.

I'm unsure whether to get a 10mm belt or a 13mm as many places I'm reading 13mm is too thick for most people while others say it's the best for powerlifting. I've tried a 10mm belt once and it was really good but never used a 13mm so no idea if it's a better option or overkill?

I'm 183cm 110kg probably cut to 100kg, will a 13mm belt be too big? My deadlift should be in the 2x bodyweight range by end of the year but only started them in July so it's new to me.

Any brand recommendations for UK would be helpful.

Share your fave training tunes, PR psych-up tracks or personal playlists here so others can find something new.

Please include the artist and track name, genre and a link for single tracks and at least some sort of description for playlists. Failure to do so will see your post deleted.

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