Where to Find a Powerlifting Competition Near Me: A Lifter’s No

Let’s face it, if you’re serious about powerlifting, you’ve undoubtedly had the thought, “I should test this at an actual competition,” when staring at your deadlift PR in the gym. Then it dawns on me: Where in the world can I locate a powerlifting tournament in my area? I’ve been there. I searched through countless Facebook groups and forums for three weeks last year. It took that long before discovering a meet that was three hours away and already packed. A complete waste of time. Therefore, I thought I would create the guide I wish I had—no technical terms, just practical advice that average lifters like us can use.

For this, you don’t have to be an expert in technology. You just need to know where to look to discover the finest places to find local meetings.

Let’s start with Powerlifting Watch. For lifters searching for meets, this website is comparable to the Bible. It will list all of the upcoming meets in your area if you just enter your zip code and choose a radius. (I generally choose 100 miles because nobody wants to drive six hours for a 10-minute competition). It even provides you with the name of the organizer, the cost of admission, and if there are still openings. A “beginner friendly” statement was included in the description of the tiny meet I found last month in Indianapolis. It is 45 minutes from my flat. Excellent.

Next up is Meetup. Yes, I am aware that Meetup is used for purposes other than book clubs; it is frequently used by local powerlifting groups to advertise meets. You may definitely discover a group run by lifters who post about forthcoming contests if you search for “powerlifting” or “strength sports” in your area. I joined one last year. The administrator saved me a ton of time by sending out a weekly email with meet information.

Additionally, avoid falling off on Instagram. Follow nearby gyms and lifting coaches or use hashtags like #PowerliftingCompetition[YourCity] (mine is #PowerliftingCompetitionChicago). Many smaller meets aren’t featured on major websites, yet coaches will provide information about them in their stories. Just following his trainer, my friend Jake discovered a meet at a crossfit club last month. It turned out that there were only 20 spots available, so he joined before it filled up.

Here’s a pro tip: Stop asking Google and start asking the people at your gym. Most gyms (especially the ones that focus on strength training) have connections to local meet organizers.