Since Dave started in the sport or powerlifting in 1983, a lot of things have changed. Elite total standards have not. Does this create a problem? With all of the new advancements in the sport, and all-time world records still being broken on a regular basis, should we finally update the standards for what it means to be an elite powerlifter?
For today's Table Talk, Dave discusses elite powerlifting totals. He responds to a question from Instagram user greysungala:
"What does an elite total mean to you now as opposed to when you were trying to total elite? How has your perception change?"
To answer this question, Dave looks back at his history in the sport and discusses the major changes that have happened over time. A lot of single-ply and multi-ply records have been broken because of better gear being available to lifters. But this isn't unique only to equipped powerlifting; it happens in raw powerliting, too. You don't have to walk out raw squats in many meets these days. And even in the meets in which you do walk out your squat, you don't have to walk five steps backward to clear a bulky squat stand before starting your attempt like you would have years ago. There's also other technology, such as better bars for competition and the use of Excel spreadsheets and programs to show lifter attempts and flight orders. All of these details make a meet better for lifters.
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While elite totals have not changed, Dave points out that there have been other adjustments to accommodate the increased competitiveness of top-level lifters. Pro totals, with higher standards than elite, were introduced a number of years ago, and many organizations followed up by requiring pro totals for entry to their biggest meets.
Dave's final point is a simple piece of advice: If you want an elite total, don't start by looking at the elite total. First look at your next highest class. If you're a Class III lifter, try to make it to Class II. If you're Class II, try to move up to Class I. Eventually you'll be elite.
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