Where do Competitive Powerlifters train?

[Napalm]

For you guys who compete in Olympic Lifting and Powerlifting competitions, where do you usually train? Do you train at home, at the same gym every average joe goes to, or are there gyms specifically for powerlifting? I don't usually see guys doing powerlifting at the YMCA.

[F_Mac]

Depends what you have access to. The answer to your question is all of the above.

A hardcore PL gym is something that some guys are lucky enough to have access to. And, IMO, is the ideal environment for learning and getting stronger. However, all of us simply don't have access to such facilities.

I train in a "regular joe" gym, for lack of a better term. It doesn't have all the equipment that i would like, but it gets the job done for me. There simply aren't any hardcore gyms in this city.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Napalm

For you guys who compete in Olympic Lifting and Powerlifting competitions, where do you usually train? Do you train at home, at the same gym every average joe goes to, or are there gyms specifically for powerlifting? I don't usually see guys doing powerlifting at the YMCA.

I wouldn't worry too much about what other guys are doing in the gym. Most of the are doing it wrong anyway.

[DaRkAnGel]

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

I wouldn't worry too much about what other guys are doing in the gym. Most of the are doing it wrong anyway.

Normally I'd say that's good advice... but in real powerlifting gyms, everyone knows what they are doing and the atmosphere is completely different.

People feed off of each other's energy and learn every day how to tweak form and technique to make your lifts easier and stronger.

I don't have a huge crew right now... but when we all get together I feel more confident about using my gear (especially my bench shirt where I would never ask a regular joe shmo to spot me on). I also learn something from them every day by being open to their advice.

If I thought I was king**** and listened to no one, I'd probably be injured and nowhere near the level that I am at right now.

[Eric_B]

I do all my stuff at a YMCA right now...deadlifts, cleans, etc. I get some weird looks, but whatever.

I'm saving up for my own equipment so I can have my own hardcore garage gym and I don't have to wait for the guy doing supersets of wrist curls in the squat rack.

[DaRkAnGel]

Originally Posted by Napalm

For you guys who compete in Olympic Lifting and Powerlifting competitions, where do you usually train? Do you train at home, at the same gym every average joe goes to, or are there gyms specifically for powerlifting? I don't usually see guys doing powerlifting at the YMCA.

To answer your question, I currently train at a powerlifting gym. Soon changing to another powerlifting gym with tons of equipment including monolift (which my current gym has but they are getting new ownership), all the powerlifting bars you could ever imagine, boards, chains, bands, and a few record holders (2 of which are coming out of my current gym to this new gym... i guess I could include myself in this category since I have 2 state records). It's an entire gym geared and marketed towards powerlifters owned by John Pena.

This is pretty much as good as it gets for Arizona... it's not exactly the best place to be competitive in powerlifting, but we'll see if our group can change that.

[Firehawk]

Napalm, where are you located? There are great powerlifting gyms in many areas.

And I agree with Dark's comment to Liftgirl. Most gyms yes, I wouldn't pay attention to what others are doing very much. But in powerlifting gyms, everybody knows everybody and usually people train in groups specifically for the purpose of making everyone better. It's not like any regular gym. YOu cannot train in gear alone anyway.

BUT, if you do go to a powerhouse or some other gym, watch for the group of guys who usually keep to themselves and work hard. Most gyms have a group of guys like this. They probably look mean, but if you break the ice and ask to lift with them, load their plates for them, etc, maybe you'll get lucky enough to have them take you under their wing. Most powerlifters are usually willing to help the new guys. If you go to a powerlifting meet, this becomes apparent immediately.

Originally Posted by Firehawk

load their plates for them,

I hope you mean doing this between your set and theirs. Cause there ain't no way I'm going to be anybody's gym bitch, no matter what they can teach me.

[Firehawk]

Yeah everyone helps everyone. Too many times new guys come to my gym, get some help, but don't do anything other than stand there unless they are lifting. That's a no no. If you are getting help, then you contribute.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by IronMan

I hope you mean doing this between your set and theirs. Cause there ain't no way I'm going to be anybody's gym bitch, no matter what they can teach me.

*looks guilty* I somtimes ask the guys at my gym to put the 100s on the leg press for me. Sometimes they walk over on their own without me asking or anything and unload 45s for me. *slinks away*

[ixoyc]

the power house gym near me has a strongman event equipment out behind it. also they have all these wierd bars inside. how do you use that stuff

[Jeffery]

i do olympic style lifting at a near by community centre. i wouldnt suggest doing such lifts at home though, look for a club in your area. can be found online. definatly do training like this under supervision, form is very important. take it slow too, dont go too fast when increasing weights.

[Napalm]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Napalm, where are you located? There are great powerlifting gyms in many areas.

And I agree with Dark's comment to Liftgirl. Most gyms yes, I wouldn't pay attention to what others are doing very much. But in powerlifting gyms, everybody knows everybody and usually people train in groups specifically for the purpose of making everyone better. It's not like any regular gym. YOu cannot train in gear alone anyway.

BUT, if you do go to a powerhouse or some other gym, watch for the group of guys who usually keep to themselves and work hard. Most gyms have a group of guys like this. They probably look mean, but if you break the ice and ask to lift with them, load their plates for them, etc, maybe you'll get lucky enough to have them take you under their wing. Most powerlifters are usually willing to help the new guys. If you go to a powerlifting meet, this becomes apparent immediately.

I'm close to Long Beach and Los Angeles, California. Do you have to already be good at powerlifting to go to one of these gyms? I played football and know how to do a powerclean but I'm no expert.

[Napalm]

Are there any powerlifting gyms around the LA area? I did a google search and couldn't find any.

[Firehawk]

http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/gyms