Approaches that aren't focused on hitting personal records (PRs)

​In powerlifting, increasing load is the main goal. However, if you’re in the throes of training and aren’t feeling super confident that you’ll PR during a testing day (usually bench cause meh), here are a few different approaches you can take:

1. Improve technique. This is very important if your previous PR wouldn’t pass in competition. You hit a 315 squat, but it was high? Well, kinda dumb to try for 325 until you nail depth at 315. Didn’t pause your 165 bench? Time to practice! Hitched your 350 pull? PRACTICE.
2. Improve time under tension. Usually when we hear the phrase “time under tension,” it means to slow things down. If you speed through your bench pause, this is a good time to practice pacing yourself. However, increasing the SPEED of a movement is a way to progress for a powerlifter. So if you’re taking 10 full seconds to nail your 400 lb pull, it’s time to work on building that speed.
3. Increase volume. This is one of my favorites cause we have all been there. You keep going for that 135 milestone bench, and even though you hit 125 and 130 for reps, you can’t hit a clean 135! Well, once you nail 135, it might be just as difficult to hit 140, so instead of jumping right into a new bench PR, try reducing the load and going for a new 2, 3, or 4 rep max!

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