Maintaining strength?

[lynx]

How many here have been able to maintain their lifts when you've dropped body-weight?

 

[mo chuisle]

I've actually gotten a little stronger during my last two contest preps. I only start to lose strength when I'm about 3 weeks out from a show. I do notice, however, that as I get leaner, I'm not able to push through the last rep sometimes (when normally I'd be able to struggle through it); my muscles fatigue suddenly.

 

[lynx]

I've actually gotten a little stronger during my last two contest preps. I only start to lose strength when I'm about 3 weeks out from a show. I do notice, however, that as I get leaner, I'm not able to push through the last rep sometimes (when normally I'd be able to struggle through it); my muscles fatigue suddenly.

I should have been more specific mo, I'm not talking about lifting in general I'm talking about one-rep max for powerlifting. That's why I asked in this section.

There's another raw pl meet coming up (DL & bench) that I'm thinking about doing. I've dropped about 10lbs and I'm sort of hoping I can maintain some decent numbers while continuing to drop weight. I've already dropped into the next weight class and I think that's where I would end up competing: <148lbs. The next one down is 132lbs, and I there's NO way I'd get down there before the meet and have any strength to compete.

 

[drbpl]

It will come back, look at Marc Bartley on elitefts. He is as strong now at 245 as when he was 300 pounds. You will loose some at first but as your body adjusts to the new diet it will come back. It doesent matter what I do I seem to get stronger unless I have no meet in site then I usually loose some strength. If I have nothing to push myself for then I become lazy and my lifts suffer.

 

[Mom]

I'm considering trying the same thing, only going from 165's to 148's. I'll be interested to see how it goes for you! I've been scared to try it because I didn't want to lose the strength.

 

[mo chuisle]

I should have been more specific mo, I'm not talking about lifting in general I'm talking about one-rep max for powerlifting. That's why I asked in this section.

LOL Oops! Guess I should read which forum threads are posted in! Good luck at your next competition!!

 

[lynx]

LOL Oops! Guess I should read which forum threads are posted in! Good luck at your next competition!!

No problem.

I'm considering trying the same thing, only going from 165's to 148's. I'll be interested to see how it goes for you! I've been scared to try it because I didn't want to lose the strength.

This is what I'm nervous about as well. I was 149lbs upon waking the day of the meet and ended up weighing in at 151lbs. I'm 141 right now and I think I'll be dropping a few more. I benched about 3 weeks ago and was able to put up 175 still (which I did at the meet in Dec.) I deadlifted last week and got 275lbs which was my best ever outside of the comp.

If I keep up with my lifts like drbpl suggests maybe I won't lose much?!

 

[smootheavy]

something that I have found working well for me and the athletes I work with is instead of limiting cals too much, factor in some extra energysystems complexes involving lighter loads and a high power output.

this helps to keep cal burning elevated for several hours afterwards (something crazy like up to 12)

this type of training is utilizing anaerobic conditioning and power/speed endurance.

with the diet in check and adding some complexes 3 times per week should help

 

[gelatine]

In my experience, if you're doing more than manipulating water weight to hit contest weight, you're doing it sub-optimally. You should head into a 5-8 week contest prep cycle at your class's weight limit, put on a good 5-10 pounds during prep and drop it all with water manipulation tricks for the weigh in. Then pig out before the lifts. It varies depending whether weight in is same day or not.

 

[Iceman1800]

you can keep the strength if you keep the protein intake high. The main concern is the change in leverages by losng weight. Your dl usually goes up by losing belly fat because you can get into a more efficient pulling position. The opposite happens with the squat since you lose the rebound effect off the belly in the bottom position.

 

[Mom]

No problem.



I benched about 3 weeks ago and was able to put up 175 still (which I did at the meet in Dec.) I deadlifted last week and got 275lbs which was my best ever outside of the comp.

If I keep up with my lifts like drbpl suggests maybe I won't lose much?!

Nice lift! Do you bench raw?

 

[lynx]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I appreciate it.

Time to update this thread.

Nice lift! Do you bench raw?

Yep, the meet went pretty good. I ended up weighing in at 142.8lbs on Saturday morning of the lift. Friday I was 138lbs, but I was trying to eat more so Saturday I would have some strength. I ended up benching 175lbs and deadlifting 280. I missed 300, just didn't have it in me that day. The meet was LONG! Dang! Also it just had bench & deadlift, no squat.

A guy that JT has known for some time was competing that day as well. He sent me a video of my lifts. Pretty nice of him. And JT posted a thread in the Member's Picture Forum documenting the day.

Here's the link of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wItc5nQG0DE

 

[B~RAD]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I appreciate it.

Time to update this thread.



Yep, the meet went pretty good. I ended up weighing in at 142.8lbs on Saturday morning of the lift. Friday I was 138lbs, but I was trying to eat more so Saturday I would have some strength. I ended up benching 175lbs and deadlifting 280. I missed 300, just didn't have it in me that day. The meet was LONG! Dang! Also it just had bench & deadlift, no squat.

A guy that JT has known for some time was competing that day as well. He sent me a video of my lifts. Pretty nice of him. And JT posted a thread in the Member's Picture Forum documenting the day.

Here's the link of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wItc5nQG0DE

VERY Strong. Thats a good raw bench for your weight. Very strong off the chest. Looks like you need to hit some board presses to take it further. Deadlift looks good, but I'm wondering why your grip is so wide.You obviously have a smaller frame like me, so If you take it in a few inches to where your hands right where the knurling starts I think it'll help

AWESOME LIFTS

 

[lynx]

VERY Strong. Thats a good raw bench for your weight. Very strong off the chest. Looks like you need to hit some board presses to take it further. Deadlift looks good, but I'm wondering why your grip is so wide.You obviously have a smaller frame like me, so If you take it in a few inches to where your hands right where the knurling starts I think it'll help

AWESOME LIFTS

Thanks B~RAD. I'll move my grip in next time I dead, I tend to think I'm bigger than I actually am. Lol! I was doing quite a bit of cardio leading up to this meet compared to the one I did in December and I could definately tell in my legs. :action:sm

 

[triathloncoach]

Cuting Weight

It's just not possible to lose muscle and get stronger. Naturally I guess. My experience from cutting significant weight in college for wrestling was the dehydration wiped me out more than the starvation. It was a balance to suck in as much water as possible without stomach problems immediately after weigh ins and before the matches. Didn't always turn out the way I hoped.

 

[B~RAD]

It's just not possible to lose muscle and get stronger. Naturally I guess. My experience from cutting significant weight in college for wrestling was the dehydration wiped me out more than the starvation. It was a balance to suck in as much water as possible without stomach problems immediately after weigh ins and before the matches. Didn't always turn out the way I hoped.

It's funny you say that, because I've lost some weight the last 3 weeks (around 9 pounds) and 5-8%bf and I'm still getting stronger. It's very strange. Although it was'nt cardio but actually not eating as many meals that led to the weight loss. I wish I could put it all back on though

 

[MilitaryMuscle]

im doing it right now and im getting stronger.... im more of maintaining my weight because i dont want to go up weight class right now. Im just getting leaner but weight is staying round the same.

Matt Kroc, is known fro dropping 20+ pounds the day before a comp and setting world records the next day..... that dude is hardcore lol

nice vids lynx (move your grip in! like b-rad said, i think it will help out a lot)

 

[JETHRO TULL]

Hey!

I finally was able to watch the video. I googled your name and was able to view your lifts in action.

 

[big_byrd52]

I've actually gotten a little stronger during my last two contest preps. I only start to lose strength when I'm about 3 weeks out from a show. I do notice, however, that as I get leaner, I'm not able to push through the last rep sometimes (when normally I'd be able to struggle through it); my muscles fatigue suddenly.

Yes, this is the same for me also. I get stronger all the way in, then about 3 weeks out the bottom falls out of my training. then on the rebound im breaking PRs left and right!

 

[marilyn]

Oh my god!!

Meredith, that was awesome footage of your competition!! great job!....

and you had cool music in the background...#1 on my M-p3 player.."let the bodies hit the floor".