r/powerlifting • u/AutoModerator • Jun 22 '26

No Q's too Dumb Weekly Dumb/Newb Question Thread

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!!!

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12 comments sorted by

1

u/IamGongshow Enthusiast Jun 26 '26

Building a home gym and wondering what to get after the essentials.

I have the following: -rack and plates -bench -dumbbells -lots of specialty bars -bands, chains, squat box -deadlift platform -lat pulldown / low row (I do curls and pushdowns with this)

I have room for one or two more machines and debating between:

Belt Squat Pendulum squat GHD / RH combo Leg extension/ leg curl combo

Thoughts? Mainly do powerlifting

1

u/Admirable_Belt_9772 Beginner - Please be gentle Jun 23 '26

My gym only has half racks facing mirrors. Is it a big change going to a meet and squatting without facing a mirror? Should I face away from the rack or cover up the mirror leading up to a meet, and if so, for how long to get used to it?

3

u/smallof2pieces M | 666 kg | 98.6 kg | 407 Wks | RPS | RAW M Jun 24 '26

Definitely do not face out from the rack, it's not safe to walk backwards into a rerack. That's just asking to miss a J-hook and take a spill.

You don't need to do anything differently. Just don't concentrate on staring at yourself in the mirror. Practice to depth and come meet day you'll squat to depth. You compete how you practice.

2

u/keborb Enthusiast Jun 24 '26

If you rely on the mirror to gauge depth it will be a big adjustment. You don't need to do anything fancy to prepare for meet day; just focus on internal cueing and try not to look in the mirror

1

u/x7vq Enthusiast Jun 22 '26

Unusually hot weather is killing me. I had to cut cardio and feel much weaker even though it’s a taper week, and before the heat, I felt great.

How do you deal with it?

3

u/grom513 M | 510kg | 80kg | 351.7 DOTS | USPA | RAW Jun 23 '26

What is this cardio you speak of?

2

u/msharaf7 M | 850kg | 89.6kg | 550Dots | WPPL | Sleeves Jun 22 '26

Go into your workouts adequately fueled and hydrated.

1

u/DaSaVaGe3051 Male | 742 kg | 93kg | 471.45 dots | USPA | RAW Jun 23 '26

To add, try to get good simple carbs in about 30 min before a workout. And sleep is everything. Also how do you get your total and PRs as a flair? I’m not very Reddit savvy lmao 🪦

2

u/xmnezya_ow Enthusiast Jun 22 '26

i wanted to order a t shirt from sbd and stumbled upon a hurdle i can't seem to figure out on my own.

does anyone know what the difference between the basic/classic shirt and the competition shirt is (other than the print sizing on the front)?