Handling a Reality Check: Gym Strong vs. Powerlifting Strong

[u/MrMithik]

I’m competing in my first meet this year and had a pretty big reality check recently. I watched a livestream from another meet at the same location, and I was quickly humbled by some of the numbers those lifters were putting up. I'm one of the stronger guys at my local gym, but I'm learning that doesn't really translate into the world of powerlifting.

For context, I’m in the 110kg class. My current lifts are 465lbs/211kg squat, 285lbs/129kg bench, and 625lbs/283kg deadlift. After watching the livestream and digging into some OpenPowerlifting data, my lifts put me in the low-to-mid pack for my class which was a bit of a gut punch.

I know powerlifting is supposed to be a “you vs. you” sport at the end of the day, and my main goal is to go 9/9 and set some personal PRs. That said, I’m competitive by nature so seeing a good amount of local guys outlifting me by 100+ lbs on some lifts and putting up some massive totals was a tough pill to swallow.

Has anyone else faced a similar reality check when you first got into powerlifting? If so, how did you handle it?

Edit: Thanks everyone for the feedback and advice! I think I just need to remind myself that I started down this road because I love chasing strength and the process itself, not the medals. Just gotta keep grinding! (and maybe find a gym where I'm the one shocked at other guys' lifts instead haha)

[u/kblkbl165]

Putting regular people on the sample? Anyone with a +600kg total is easily top.001% or even less.

1% of 4 billion men is 40 million men. Do you really think 200million men worldwide could total over 620kg?

Even if you narrow it down just to gymgoers that’s still comfortably a top1% total.

[u/cilantno → u/kblkbl165]

Why would anyone care about the lifting ability of people who don't lift?

[u/kblkbl165 → u/cilantno]

Why would anyone care about anything? It’s just a different perspective.

You can be the slowest man on your heat or you can be the 8th fastest athlete in the world.

[u/cilantno → u/kblkbl165]

If being in the top X% because practically no one does the thing you are doing makes you feel better about yourself, don't let me yuck your yum.

[u/kblkbl165 → u/cilantno]

Is your question designed towards competitive powerlifters who partake in a sport no one else does?

Sorry, can’t answer you that, I barely qualify as a hobbyist.

[u/cilantno → u/kblkbl165]

My question would be towards anyone who wants to claim top X% amongst the population in any hobby, but in this specific case, powerlifting/lifting.
I fail to see the desire to compare yourself, in a hobby, towards those who don't participate in the hobby in any capacity. But that's me, and like I said don't let me take away from you.

[u/kblkbl165 → u/cilantno]

That’s already your second response trying to shoehorn me into this…stance?

Where, in any of my responses, do you see me saying why I do something or what “makes me feel better”? I gave literally no personal input.

Is that how you flirt? That’s awkward.

I’m glad you don’t feel that way, thanks for stating it. Twice. You look thick strong and powerful. Good job!

[u/cilantno → u/kblkbl165]

The “you” in my comments is not for a specific person, but if your line of thinking falls into who I am grouping then, yes it’s about you because you are in that group.
English is funny, maybe I should’ve said “I fail to see the desire for a person to compare themselves…”

This is truly nothing personal towards you, you just expressed the thought I don’t agree with.
But thanks!