Being a competitive powerlifter, and training like a powerlifter are vastly different things. IMO, “training like a powerlifter”, is a poorly defined statement. I know I’m just talking semantics here but follow me:
You can strength train to increase the number of your squat, bench and deadlift, or for that matter work on increasing your spider bar squat and reverse band bench, like I do. I use conjugate and/or block methods of periodisation in my training, but I’m not training like a powerlifter, not close. Keep reading.
I don’t have to deal with, if my strength is ahead or behind schedule. I don’t have to deal with if an injury needs to be trained through or around, or the mental stress of a strain that hits 8 weeks before a meet. I don’t have to deal with my body weight on a weekly basis, how to complete my training when nobody else shows up. I don’t have to deal with any of the mental BS that comes with training for a meet, albeit internal or external. If I mind- fuck myself now, who cares, if I do it training for a meet - one bad decision and I’m out due to injury. I don’t have to be overly concerned with recovery because I can pivot my training without worry.
I don’t have to deal with family or loved ones who don’t get how big of a deal the meet is. You miss dinner and you're considered an asshole! Yet, if you were playing D1 football, and missed Thanksgiving or Christmas due to a game they have a toast for you. Hell, if you're a Jr. High Wrestler and practice was in the way of anything - the anything in question will be rescheduled quite happily. BUT, when you're a competitive powerlifter .... fuck you, you’re considered selfish! Meet expenses are just that - expenses. Any other sport - investment.
Thus the sport that you are giving your all to, risking life and limb is seen as not a sport to those who you care for the most, but is seen as being a selfish inconvenience.
Nope, I no longer have to deal with that because I just train to get strong.
I don’t train like a powerlifter. Not even close! I’ve been on both sides of this track and they are two entirely different worlds.
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