Picking Your Weight

[aceofspades]

I am planning on doing a Bench Press event this weekend which will be my second. If my goal is to do 450 pounds raw at the event, how do you normally decide which weight to pick for your 1st and 2nd attempt? I have done 450 in the past but that was before I ripped my pec and had surgury about 3 months ago. I have been up to 430 in the gym after it happened, but I know people normally lift more in a meet than in the gym. Should I just start high so if I miss the 450 on one attempted, I can do it again? Last time I did 375, 420 and 440. The 375 seemed way too easy and almost a waste or is it good to just start lower so you have a good start? How do you decide which place to start?

[A L]

How do you decide which place to start?

I am doing my first meet ina few months and a few have suggested that you open with something you can hit for a tripple in the gym.

This is for a full meet, so if I miss on squats my day would be over. Not sure how it works for a bench only meet.

[Beverly McD.]

Depends on whether your goal is to win the meet, or to hit a certain number.

Rule of thumb...open with what you can easily hit for 3 (raw) in the gym.
2nds...what you feel pretty confident you can hit, but know will be pushing it.
3rd...a number that if everything goes just right, and you work your ass off, you just might actually get it.

[GFH]

1st attempt keeps you in the meet and shows the judges you know the rules. Rule of thumb for an opener is something you can triple.

2nd attempt is for the PR.

3rd attempt is where you go for broke.

[aceofspades]

Great advice and it sounds like everyone is saying the same thing.

I am thinking 395, 425 and 450 for my third lift. I might be able to get a little more but I have not been up that high since I ripped my pec.

Thanks for the help :)

[hrpiii]

surgery 3 months ago... I'd be scared I had not had enough time to heal. Good luck!!

[RagingBull666]

Open with a PR!! GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Wait, that hasn't worked for me at the past two Senior Nationals so you may not want to do that.

They've all said it already:
1st Easy
2nd Even with or PR attempt
3rd BIG

[bigdamray]

First weight: something I can still do if something goes wrong. Bad handoff, wrist wrap comes undone, etc.

Second weight: go for a pr

Third weight: go for broke

[aceofspades]

The meet was on Saturday and I opened with 395 in the 242 weight class, which was very easy. I went to 425 for my second lift and got it without a problem. Third lift I tried 445 pounds and just did not have the gas left in me but it was close. The 425 have me first place in my division and a new state RAW bench record. I was lifting the most weight of anyone at the event without a shirt of any class. If it has not been for the pec tear and operation 3 months ago, I would have had it. Next year...

[Beverly McD.]

Congratulations on the new State Record!!! Sounds like you had a good day.:woot:

[IliekFude]

Alot of ppl try to pick a weight they know they can hit for their opener. Def dont wana bomb out..
their second is often times something thats a PR for them
their final lift - depending on their second lift results is either a re-try if they failed it or an all out balls out lift to see what they can really do.

[bigdamray]

Nice job bro!!