Last Saturday was my powerlifting meet. Today was the first day since the meet that I have not had any muscle soreness in my lower and upper back and in my hips. This is soreness like you get when you have a tough workout. Not soreness as in an injury. Would you think this shows me some weaknesses I need to work on?

Did you move up in weight at all?

Yes. I went from a 585 to a 650 squat.

That's probably it then. You had the adrenalin pumping but put extra stress on the muscles. It it doesn't become chronic I wouldn't worry.

It's not a matter of an injury. What I was asking opinions on is this...since those muscle groups are feeling the most soreness, would you think that they are the groups I need to work on to get my squat higher? For example, my lower back and hips were sore so I'm thinking my legs and the rest of me may be able to squat 700 so if I bring up the hips and lower back to that level I'll be there.

Ah, I read that wrong. I defer to more knowledgeable ones.

No, not necessarily. It could just be that those areas were what was the most stressed in that particular lift for some reason. Does it mean they are the "weak link", however? Not entirely. Keep in mind, those specific areas SHOULD be weaker than your quads and glutes, for example.

It could also mean your form needs a bit of tweaking. When I used to competitively deadlift, for example, I was often VERY sore in the calves for some reason. Why? Who knows, but apparently I was attempting to get extra drive from my calves.

My guess is that if you continue to work your core section along with your regular powerlifting training, those sore areas will come along naturally without any extra specific emphasis.


Arttie

Thanks Arttie. Wouldn't the fact that those muscle groups are being stressed the most mean that they are more important to the lift than I may have considered? Using your example, the fact that your calves are sore after deads could mean that if you increased the strength of the calves your deadlift would go up. Maybe, who knows unless you try it. However, in that example I would say that you are letting the bar get too far away from your body and that is causing you to go up on your toes. But, in competition, your form isn't whats being judged provded you meet the criteria of the lift. Oh well, I will just train as if everything was weak. that way I've got my bases covered.

You would think, but I actually have very solid form in the deadlift and am bleeding from the shins after a meet.



Arttie