Season 5 Episode 2
Ready to compete? In this episode of our Strength With Purpose series, Barbell Logic coaches Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson break down how to train and prepare for a powerlifting meet—from setting your timeline and peaking properly to managing stress, rules, travel, and equipment. You’ll learn how meet prep differs from general strength training, how to avoid common first-time mistakes, and how to approach meet day with clarity and confidence. Whether you're chasing a PR or simply want to step on the platform, this episode is packed with actionable coaching advice for lifters who care about health, strength, longevity, and competing with purpose.
✅ What You’ll Learn
How to shift from general strength training to powerlifting competition prep
Ideal meet prep timelines (why 6 months is best—but 6 weeks can work)
How to peak and taper each lift for maximum results
What to expect from rules, weigh-ins, and meet-day logistics
How to manage life stress, travel, and realistic expectations
The role of strategy, openers, handlers, and pacing on meet day
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: caffeine-free Squirt, dead rats, and deadlifts 02:30 – Ready to compete? Why competition training is different 04:00 – Ideal meet prep timelines: 6 months, 6 weeks, or 6 days 08:00 – Peaking and tapering: testing what works for you 11:00 – Niki’s meet prep: chasing PRs, real-life planning, and equipment updates 16:00 – Weight class strategy: to cut or not to cut? 20:00 – The importance of heavy singles in competition prep 24:00 – Managing fatigue, volume, and travel while training 30:00 – Meet day 101: weigh-ins, warmups, and avoiding burnout 34:00 – Powerlifting vs. weightlifting meet formats explained 37:00 – Attempt selection strategies: 9-for-9 or PR-focused? 39:00 – Final thoughts and where to get coaching help
🧭 Ready to Compete? Begin with the Platform in MindIf you’re ready to compete, the first thing to change is your mindset. Training for a competition isn’t just lifting—it’s lifting with a deadline, under pressure, and by the rules. Lifters who thrive on the platform know that every part of training—from volume and intensity to rest and nutrition—starts to serve one date: meet day.
Whether you're still running linear progression or already an intermediate lifter, your training will need to evolve. You’ll shift toward heavier singles, greater specificity, and timed peaks. This episode outlines exactly how and when that shift should happen.
🕰️ The Power of a 6-Month Prep Window
Niki and Andrew both agree: six months is the sweet spot for powerlifting prep. This longer runway allows lifters to test peaking strategies, experiment with taper timelines, and handle unexpected life events without derailing progress.
But not everyone has six months. So what then? If you're just a few weeks out, don’t panic. You can still prepare—but you’ll need to prioritize heavy singles, reduce volume carefully, and avoid overreaching. Lifters often underestimate how long it takes to recover from stress and fatigue, especially with the deadlift. Learning what your body needs is part of the journey.
🛠️ Equipment, Rules, and Platform Psychology
Meet day isn’t the same as gym day. From calibrated plates that feel heavier to pause benches and strict command timing, the competition platform demands precision. Practicing those standards ahead of time is e
Published on 2 weeks ago
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