Competing for your first time… or sometimes your tenth time can be extremely nerve racking. On competition day the last thing you want is your nerves getting in the way of you making your opener and then that big PR you’ve been working towards. There is no one single tip that will take the nerves away, but there are a few things to practice and think about that might help you get them under control.
Remember that being nervous is totally normal! Getting anxious before a meet is not a bad thing at all, and actually, it can and should work for your benefit. For some reason beginners think that all the top level athletes are never anxious before a meet, and that’s just not true! Get the butterflies flying in the same direction and you’re good to go.
Do what you know how to do. It’s that simple. Meet day should be the day that you get to go out and use all your hard work and training. Remind yourself that you are prepared and that you know what you’re doing. Trust your body and trust your training.
Don’t forget to breathe! Try not to treat competition day any different than a heavy training session. Keep your usual lifting routine in order to the best of your ability, take a few deep breaths, and have fun!
Competition is one of the best parts of weightlifting. Don’t let pre-comp nerves scare you away from taking that next step and signing up for your next meet! But, if you’re still not convinced, check out our previous post “Why You Should Sign Up for a Weightlifting Meet.”